Tag Archives: Spring Carnival

Since my return from the U.S. and New York Fashion Week, my hands have enjoyed some well-earned millinery rest.

Apart from the last few bespoke orders for Melbourne’s Spring Carnival, it’s been needle and thread down and time to reflect and plan. I utilise this quieter part of year to take some time out from creating and instead work on my Hats by Felicity business, and I was doing exactly that when the invitation to appear on the Network Seven Sunrise Program appeared.

With a fear of public speaking, it was instant turmoil for me. I knew what an amazing opportunity this was but I also knew this meant facing my fear in front of a nation! I know I’ve just showcased on the runway of NYFW but believe me, appearing live on morning television in front of your home land is completely different. Within 24 hours and with little time to think or dwell, I was at the Broome airport departures lounge anxiously watching my collection of headwear load into the under carry of the plane.

A fish out of water is what I felt like when I hit the big Sydney smoke. The last thing I’d prepared for was arriving into rain and a chilly wind. My poor cardi excuse for warmth was just not going to cut it.

It was late when I slumped into bed. The three hour time difference made it 11pm and I had to be up at 5am, which was 2am in Broome, so of course I didn’t sleep a wink. Instead I watched the sun rise over Sydney before nervously heading to Network Seven studios in the rain.

Thank goodness for smart phones, I may have arrived at the wrong reception but in the right building at least and as I awkwardly juggled the box of hats around the street corner, I found myself at the windows where we see Sunrise viewers waving into the show. Part of me wanted to hold the box of hats high with a big smile but I decided it was best to take my wet hair and baggy eyes straight past the cameras and inside.

I wondered how on earth I ended up here as I walked past corridors of familiar celebrity faces framed on the walls. On about my 15th nervous trip to the bathroom I ran into newsreader Nat Barr, and shrieked “hi” like an excited mad woman before realising Nat would not have a clue who I was. We proceeded to yarn as we held open the bathroom door before I thought – heck, I should just let her go to the loo. After all, she probably only had a three minute break and I had taken up two!

The models they’d arranged for me were a dream – five lovely young women who were both professional and fun and as each of them returned from hair and makeup with piece positioned and big smile I was excited and extremely proud. When they said they felt so happy in the hats I took the moment to explain the dictionary meaning of Felicity and hence ethos of my business, being “happiness” and “bliss”. I welcomed them to smile if they felt happy as they showcased Hats by Felicity and their reactions to this suggestion grew the smile upon me.

When I entered the studio the girls were standing in line with the camera panning a sneak preview for our segment coming up. I was petrified.

With rescue remedy under and over my tongue and throughout my mouth (instructions were too small to read) I took my place where the girls had been, as they were led off stage ready to present. Seeing my toilet mate Nat was comforting and Sam Armytage too was a delight. I tried desperately not to notice the cameras knowing only too well it was all about to happen as the stage manager pronounced three … two … one!

With the focus on the hats and not a clue there was a camera on me I survived my Sunrise appearance and the reaction from the studio floor was great. I had little idea what I’d said or done or what the wider community had just seen but the models wore my hats and their smiles to perfection so I knew it was all going to be OK.

It was such a privilege to introduce viewers to the individual stories of each creation among which was CondoBelle.

CondoBelle represents friendship, bubbles and fun. I created CondoBelle to honour my very precious friends, who over the past two years travelled to the U.S. to be with me at the NYFW events; amazing women who helped make each event happen and were right there by my side.

By way of thanks and with the greatest joy, I have gifted CondoBelle to these particular friends, as our headpiece creation to share, that will enjoy a life on the road travelling to the many racetracks around Oz, perhaps even beyond …

Keep your eyes out for CondoBelle over the coming years, and if you spot her out and about, say hello to the very precious friend of mine, upon whom she will adorn.

In the meantime, through the below link, I’d love to introduce you to all my creations that travelled to the big smoke to appear on the big screen. Perhaps as you spot CondoBelle send a little cheers to all the wonderful friends in all of our lives. Xf

https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/29968779/turning-heads-at-the-melbourne-cup/#page1