Tag Archives: feathers

Hats and Happiness & Crown Jewels III

Posted on February 24, 2023 | Leave a comment

When I was born apparently mum and dad disagreed on my name.

Dad wanted Kelly, but Mum won with Felicity.

The dictionary meaning for felicity is intense happiness.

I’ve always known that hats bring happiness – this is why I do what I do, and why I named my millinery business Hats by Felicity. To me, it’s about so much more than the hat, it’s about what the hat does – how the hat (or headpiece) makes you feel.

Sometimes, I can’t help feeling that my business and I, are both very aptly named, especially when I see photos like this, from my recent runway launch (it completely cracks me up)!

Captured by Laura Gass Photography — The crowd, the models and a very excited me – Hats and Happiness – captured by *Laura Gass Photography*

What a way to kick off the Broome Pride 12 day festival of Mardi Gras events.

For three years now, I have launched the Crown Jewels at Broome Pride’s Launch event and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

As Milliner on the Move I gathered the inspiration for this collection from around the world; from New Orleans, Sydney, Far Western NSW, the Kimberley and my favourite TV series of the moment, Yellowstone.

As Milliner to the Queens I launched the collection to an energetic full house, by runway parade at the Roebuck Bay Hotel, Broome.

Crown Jewels III is a collection of Mardi Gras hats and masks, showpieces, and race-wear millinery for those who like to take it up a trackside notch.

The Broome Pride Launch Party officially launches the Broome Mardi Gras festival of events, which is now in it’s 9th Year.

What started as a one night event in a seedy nightclub, is now a two week festival that lines the airport with private jets and fills the town with business, colour and fun; and impressively, is powered by volunteers and the brainchild of one woman, Lucy.

So, what is Mardi Gras and where did it come from? Well, originally, in New Orleans in the early 1700’s, Mardi Gras was a masquerade parade occurring on Fat Tuesday, which is the last day before Lent.

Mardi Gras started as elegant society balls, then as a carnival, and by late 1830’s New Orleans held colourful street processions organised by Masked Krewes, who remained anonymous to the crowd.

New Orleanians call these Mardi Gras parades the “Greatest Free Show on Earth”

A Krewe (pronounced crew) is the social organisation that stages the parades and balls for the Mardi Gras celebrations.

My own trip to New Orleans in 2015 inspired a few pieces of my latest collection, Crown Jewels III, including this mask, that I named De Lis, honouring the said New Orleans masked Krewes.

Hats by Felicity – De Lis – *modelled by Aimee*

Sista too was inspired by New Orleans, as the gem of the carnival who steps out with a POW under the lights of Mardi Gras.

Hats by Felicity – Sista – *modelled by Rachael*

Poppae represents the true carnivale’ of Mardi Gras, inspired by the colourful streets of New Orleans and the spark of travel itself. She’s all about the excitement of exploring the world, and living life to the full. And she’s made of pom poms which are SO right now.

Hats by Felicity – Poppae – *Modelled by Amanda*

And our Fifi de Fleur, who floats through the crowds as the colour of the Mardi Gras parades.

Hats by Felicity – Fifi de Fleur – *modelled by Jenny*

Not all the collection was inspired by New Orleans. Beth’s inspiration comes from Yellowstone, OMG is anyone else as addicted as me?

We all know I love the country, but let’s talk about Montana, USA, cowboys, and big hats. Take me back is all I can say ….

Beth’s pheasant coucal feathers have a story, as all my feather pieces do, arriving to me in a bag with the words Happy Birthday from my mate Mal, who had gathered up the feathers, strewn from a bird that had come to grief.

Always keen to give the feathers another flight, I cleaned and preened and returned them to their glory, and mirrored their construction as the two faces of our Beth, who’s character we are both endeared to and scared of, at once.

Hats by Felicity – Beth – *modelled by Rachael*

During my recent trip to NSW I was treated to a bucket list New Year’s eve fireworks, onboard the Riverboat Postman.

Three pieces were created as a result of this magical night on Sydney Harbour – inspired by the fireworks, and created also to represent my Sydney experience, as a now Kimberley girl, circling back to where my adventure began all those years ago, in NSW.

Canta, which means to sing, was inspired by the pure vision of the Opera House that night; not to forget the sound of Australian born, Nashville-based country singer, Morgan Evans, performing at the Opera House as we cruised on by.

We were one of the few boats with a band onboard that night – Middle Earth sang as we wove in and out the boats on the harbour – who were all so very jealous, of course.

Pictured below is Canta, modelled by Aimee and with my inspiration for the creation, the Sydney Opera House.

Back in the Kimberley, with it’s endless inspiration, I created Min-Min with her flashing lights, and Crystal, inspired by the cirrus cloud that streaks crystals by the wind; and many more pieces to showcase Crown Jewels III.

In every collection I launch, I honour the trade of millinery by including a vintage hat that I’ve restored and included my own slant to, and Hawthorne is the restored beauty of Crown Jewels III.

Hats by Felicity Hawthorne – *modelled by Grace*

I could share these photos and yarns all day but I’d probably crash your device, so, to further meet these and more creations and their inspirations I invite you to view the collection by clicking to Hats by Felicity Crown Jewels III.

Now, we all know there wouldn’t be a Crown Jewels runway without the sass and stage fun of these sensational models, from The Hangar Broome. They are absolutely delightful, and I thank them all; AND she who captures them, and all the hats and happiness, the talented Laura Gass Photography.

And I can’t thank Lucy and Broome Pride Incorporated enough, for the honour of showcasing and being part of this Broome community event.

Broome Pride is a non for profit organisation, organising and promoting inclusive events for the LGBT community.

Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parades have been growing since the first bold protest march in the early 1970’s, and Broome Mardi Gras Festival of Events joins the now worldwide celebrations and in particular, echo’s the Mardi Gras of Sydney, which this year is hosting WorldPride.

Once upon a time, February and March were when we flew out of Broome, now, thanks to one woman’s dream and commitment, a community coming together, sponsors, and an extensive program of Mardi Gras events, people are flying in.

Have you booked your trip to Broome?

Keep smiling and perhaps I’ll see you here, one day soon.

Felicity x

Millinery to Power The Image

Posted on March 22, 2022 | Leave a comment

Twelve months has passed and this Milliner still hasn’t been on the Move.

The confinement, however, has thankfully come to an end as borders open, travel confidence grows and life stirs from our pandemic haze.

While I’ve been fortunate to have spent these past few years in Broome, the seclusion has still had an effect.

Even with it’s wide open spaces, wilderness and beach, being away from family and friends for so long has been hard, for us all.

I’ve always justified settling on the opposite side of the country to my family by being only a flight away. Who would’ve thought?

But don’t you worry – like the rest of us, I’ll be making up for lost time.

The planner is out and this year there’s aeroplane stickers on the board.

2022 in Broome kicked off with the golden opportunity to showcase by runway, my first collection of millinery for the year.

Crown Jewels II was three months of creativity – a collection of Mardi Gras show pieces, wearable art, feathers, shimmer and bling; a mix of stage show millinery, creative artistry and race wear for those who like to take it up a trackside notch.

I was filled with pride as each piece took to the runway and in stark contrast to the poised and silent crowd of New York Fashion Week, the models played to the screaming crowd that lined the outdoor stage beneath our balmy WET season Kimberley sky. The parade was so much fun.

*Courtesy of Broome Pride Inc, captured by Laura Gass Photography*

This Launch party of the Broome Pride Mardi Gras festival was filled with colour, excitement, glitter and fun. Broome was back! Events were back – and I was so grateful to be part of it all launching a collection as Milliner to the Queens.

Surge Films Broome captured the energy of the runway with this footage Hats by Felicity Crown Jewels II Runway Show

The Launch party, however, was the first and the last crowd event of the Broome festival to take place.

As covid continues to creep into the Kimberley the decision was made not to hold the other major events of the Mardi Gras.

As we’ve all learnt to say these past years, – “it is what it is”, and so we pack away the bling and get on with plan B, C or is it down to Z…

My Crown Jewels II millinery collection is now available for sale on my website – Hats by Felicity Crown Jewels II Millinery Collection

And, bringing forward the next plan – I am thrilled to launch my Millinery for Creative Photoshoot Hire.

For all you creative photographers out there, I have curated a collection of my unique millinery for hire, to compliment your next photoshoot – Millinery to power your image.

Whether you are shooting a business promotion for a client or your own creative photography – the Hats by Felicity Millinery Hire collection is offered to photographers Australia wide.

Click to Millinery Hire for Creative Photography Hats by Felicity Millinery for Creative Photoshoot Hire

With Broome race round next on the Millinery event calendar for me, it’s back to the studio to create my next collection due for release in May.

Oh, and keep an eye out for the Milliner on the Move – I’m getting back out on the road.

Click to the footage of the runway show by Surge Films Broome Hats by Felicity Crown Jewels II Runway Show

Enjoy the video and enjoy precious times reconnecting with family and friends.

Cheers & keep smiling

Felicity (Flic)

Hats by Felicity

Milliner on the Move

Sandfire Ash

Posted on May 7, 2020 | 3 comments

Every Hats by Felicity creation has a story – usually involving people and places, and almost always about feathers.
In the mid 1990’s when I was working as a jillaroo on Mandora cattle station south of Broome, I was introduced to the Sandfire Roadhouse. Many of you will know Sandfire as a roadhouse where you fuelled your car, grabbed a bite to eat and continued along the great northern highway, but for us in 1996, Sandfire road house was our local drinking hole. With no towns for hundreds of kilometres north and south, for us Sandfire was more than just a fuel stop and a place to grab a pie, it was our pub.
Understandably, I was devastated when in 2007 Sandfire Roadhouse as we knew it suffered an electrical fire and burned to the ground. The roadhouse reopened with a transportable within 48 hours of the blaze and in April 2010 the roadhouse that we know today, opened, but without the bar that will now remain part of history.
If you’ve ever been to Sandfire, either then or now you would have met the friendly peacocks that roam the site and in particular the rare white peacock. Owner Ken Norton has known me since those early Mandora station days and always been a supporter of my millinery journey, and each February, when the peacocks malt their feathers, Ken collects them for me to use in my millinery creations.
It was a given that when I was chosen to showcase on the runway of New York Fashion Week that I would use these magnificent peacock feathers in my collections.
In 2015, I showcased my Spring Summer 2016 collection on the runway of my solo show with my finale’ piece honouring the white feathers of Sandfire and acknowledging the fire, with my creation aptly named “Sandfire Ash”.

No sooner had she landed from the runway of New York Fashion Week, Sandfire Ash then appeared on the Seven Network Sunrise breakfast show program, the eve before Melbourne Cup Day, 2015.

When I returned home to Broome from New York and Sydney I had a visit from Ken Norton, who wanted to purchase Sandfire Ash for his partner Dorothy. I was ecstatic. I always love to know where my creations end up and to know Sandfire Ash would be down the highway from Broome made my heart sing. Given the creation’s size was somewhat a feature, Ken also put in an order for a Mini Ash for Dorothy, that she could wear to the races.

Dorothy not only donned Mini Ash for the Broome Cup 2019 but she also wore Mini Ash to her Daughters wedding, as Mother of the bride in Ireland.

Mother of the bride, Dorothy and Ken, Ireland 2019

Sandfire Ash

Mini Ash

Ken always said he wanted to display Sandfire Ash with the story of her journey from Sandfire Roadhouse to the runway of New York Fashion Week and true to his word, here she is.

Next time you’re driving the Great Northern Highway and pull into Sandfire Roadhouse, make sure you say Hi to Sandfire Ash (and Ken and Dorothy).

xflic

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Tagged Broome, Broome Cup Day, feathers, Hats by Felicity, Jillaroo, Mandora Station, Melbourne Cup, millinery, Mini Ash, Network Seven Sunrise Program, New York Fashion Week, peacock feather, peacocks, Sandfire Ash, Sandfire Roadhouse

Blooming oath I can

Posted on March 17, 2016 | 6 comments

It’s been hot in the Kimberley. We’ve had a dry Wet season and the humidity and heat has been taking its toll. Amazingly though, as we mere humans melt in the heat, our desert plants have been blooming. My own desert roses have the fullest clusters of flowers that I can remember.

The Australian outback, our rainforests, coasts, cities and towns are a constant spectacular of floral bloom and I couldn’t be more excited to showcase our colourful land through my upcoming third annual Hats by Felicity show at New York Fashion Week.

I am completely pinching myself with the third invitation, after my runway debut at NYFW as the first Australian Milliner, showing with Fashion Gallery in 2014. I feel much smarter and more confident this third time round and although we all know the stress will rise as I near September’s show, the levels will be far less than the past two years. I may even get to enjoy my runway bow?!

To kick off the inspiration for creation I ran my Hats by Felicity competition – searching for muse to showcase Australia in bloom. The response was stunning with photo entries flowing in from around the country featuring our flowering plants that stop us in awe. The winning inspiration was from Andrea in Floreat, WA; Western Australia’s Eucalyptus Macrocarpa.

All this encouragement has flung me well into design mode for the 2016 collections and bespoke commissions. My millinery materials have arrived and my community of feather collectors are delivering the most stunning of plumes.

Adding to this year’s excitement is an independent invitation to showcase in West Palm Beach Florida, USA. I am thrilled that America has embraced me, and is providing me the opportunity to showcase my millinery passion and art and also to show off my magnificent Australian homeland.

The ride is never without the hiccups though, and my latest was another skin cancer surgery, a small lump from my chest. Not a melanoma this time so no complaints from me and the stitches are out and result is benign. The small scar is simply my visible reminder to continue to be positive and have a go at all goals.

Our Aussie flowers may be outrageously beautiful but the sun ‘down under’ can be downright mean. For most of us adults the skin damage is already done, therefore we need to focus on early detection and book regular skin checks and protect our largest organ, our skin. As old as the message is, we all need to remind our family and friends to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat.

I love to raise awareness of millinery and outback Australia but I also feel the need to raise awareness of our harmful rays and the greatness of early detection in the fight against skin cancer. Hats, health and happiness are my parting words for today. Along with a huge thank you to my friends as I near my third New York Fashion Week. Thank you to my feather collectors and inspiration gatherers – this upcoming collection will be the work of us all.

It’s time for me to get lost in my studio shed and start creating. Chat again in a month or two and in the meantime, here’s a snippet of my past two years on the runway of NYFW.