Tag Archives: Pearl Farm

Last week I flew over the majestic horizontal waterfalls of the Buccaneer Archipelago and from the moment we entered the King Sound my inspiration and creativity had retuned. The Kimberley never fails me.

Previously, I’d been trying to design a millinery collection on the back of a somewhat traumatic week and the process was proving difficult, my mojo just wasn’t there. Any creative will tell you that losing the mojo is quite normal, it’s finding it again that’s the challenge. Immersing myself in the breathtaking environment of my backyard, the Kimberley, is my key to unlock the block. Give me the red dirt and rocks of this rugged frontier, the stunning ocean country of water holes and white sandy beaches, the bush, the falls, the pindan sand, the sunsets and the sunrise .. just throw it all at me and then it’s ‘Whamo – Inspo’! – just like that.

When the opportunity presented to jump onboard a half day flight over the Horizontal Falls I was beside myself with excitement and in true eager form, early to the hanger for departure. I’ve experienced the Falls a few times over the years but this particular timing was with our King Spring tides and I knew the Falls would be at their best.

Roebuck Bay was completely empty when we taxied out from Broome and over the Bay, but nothing prepared me for how we’d find the Buccaneer Archipelago; it was like mother nature had pulled the plug and instead of hundreds of islands, there were literally thousands, for as far as the eye could see, and of course the Falls were absolutely magnificent – I was in pure awe, once again .

My love affair with this region began in 1997, when I lived and worked on a boat on a pearl farm in the remote, Gerald Bay. We flew to work on a sea plane, landing in the Bay in front of our mother ship, the Cossack Pearl. I’d spend ten days living on the boat and working on the pearl farm, chipping shell and cooking for the crew and then fly back to Broome for our four days off. I was living the absolute dream.

Over the years since those crazy pearling days I have returned to the region on private charters and with organised tours, adventuring onboard boats and planes and I just can’t get enough of the place. The Buccaneer Archipelago is magical, filled with colour and movement and life.

Last week’s adventure was with Fly Broome by light aircraft over the archipelago, king sound and the spectacular Horizontal Falls, landing at Cape Leveque for breakfast and a glorious swim in the ocean. I also toured the region earlier this year with Go Horizontal Falls a cruise adventure through the archipelago by boat from cockatoo island taking us through the Falls and circling us over them on the flight home from Cockatoo to Broome. From both magnificent tours I returned overflowing with inspiration and with complete happiness. I feel so connected to this part of the world and never take it’s beauty for granted, nor the positive effect that immersing in the Kimberley has on me, the emotions it stimulates are exactly what I needed to get designing for this show.

I created my beautiful Archipelago inspired collection incorporating stunning silks from local fellow creative, Sally Bin Demin, and my eight piece collection was showcased by the gorgeous finalists of the development program for young indigenous women, “Kimberley Girl” at the program’s finale event.

I am so proud to be involved in this event and I am thrilled with the collection.

My adventures to the Archipelago and Horri Falls overflowed me with inspiration to create and it is with great excitement and pride, that I formally introduce you to my eight piece Millinery collection aptly named “Archipelago”.

For more details including stories and prices to purchase the pieces which are now officially available for sale, please visit www.hatsbyfelicity.com.au .

For more information on the above mentioned Archipelago adventures click the links and tell them the Mad Hatter sent you.

Keep smiling and don’t forget to tour your own backyard.
x flic