2009 International Millinery Forum CROWNED a BRIMMING sucess

Millinery designers to the world’s celebrities came together for a special event to share their design secrets and intricate skills with budding milliners across the country.

For only the second time ever in Australia, the International Millinery Forum was held on 17 – 22 January 2009 in Wagga Wagga. Forum coordinator Linda Tillman said the event was a tremendous success with the world class tutors and their hands on workshops proving the highlight.

Included in the international line up was The Netherlands’ Eugenie van Oirschot; Hong Kong’s Jaycow; Jan Wutkowski from the United States; and the United Kingdom’s Ian Bennett who has won an Emmy award for costume drama and has a raft of admiring clients including the likes of Madonna.

The overseas guests were joining the home grown global designers including Neil Grigg, Waltraud Reiner, Georgina Conheady, Phillip Rhodes, Bette Fogarty, Richard Nylon, Maris Herr, Jane Stoddart, Jean Carroll OAM, Carol Wilkes and Pamela Martin. .

In addition to the workshops the diverse program featured a milliners trade expo, slideshows, seminars and a cocktail party with the week culminating in a 1920’s Gala De Haute Couture and hat parade.

The 1920’s gala was absolutely amazing, everyone dressed to theme, the room was set to theme and the local entertainment was phenomenal. It really did feel like you were in the 1920’s.

The International Millinery Forum will be held in Wagga Wagga city again in 2011, with planning already underway for a bigger and better event.
The 2011 dates, along with photos and reports from the 2009 event will soon be posted to this blog and the IMF website http://www.internationalmillineryforum.com.au/

Congratulations Wendy White of Nth Queensland

Wendy White is a passionate milliner from Nth Queensland who loves everything millinery and never misses the International Millinery Forum. Wendy has been awarded a Hatty Award from Hat Life (www.hatlife.com) and will receive some fabulous publicity as a result, including free inclusion in the 2009 Hat Life Directory.
Well done Wendy and GO our Aussie milliners!!!

paperboard for Eugenie's block workshop

A few people have had difficulty sourcing the required paperboard for Eugenie's 'Patter-based Brim Block' workshop. DON'T PANIC...Waltraud of Torb and Reiner will source this for all students and bring it to the Trade Day on Sunday. If it will ease your mind please do not hesitate to contact Waltraud for pre-orders.

New Seminars

There have been a couple of changes to the seminar line up. Waltraud Reiner will be presenting a seminar on the Business of Millinery, discussing customer service, pricing of hats, placing yourself in the market and the differences between model millinery, semi model and manufacturing. This will be an extremely valuable seminar for anyone taking their millinery hobby to the next level.
In addition i am also pleased to announce that Jaycow will be doing her seminar on Wednesday evening,rather than Sunday. This will make it a more intimate seminar and allow for more interaction and sharing of ideas.
Unfortunately Ian Bennett is unable to present a seminar, however he will be discussing the UK trends at the Trade Expo.
Remember, gold delegates have the seminar ticket included in their fee, however all others will need to pre book and purchase a ticket by contacting the IMF office on 0439 192 193.