Milliner of the Month: Louise Macdonald

This month we had the pleasure of interviewing our very own, Melbourne milliner Louise Macdonald. This is what she had to say!

How did you become interested in millinery?

I was living in London at the time and working in a completely different profession when I started doing an evening class in Millinery. My day job did not require much creative expression so I was keen to unleash that through hats! I had always been interested in fashion and textiles.

Where did you learn millinery?

At evening classes with Rose Cory; Wimbledon School of Art in the UK where I studied costume and specialised in costume millinery; at master classes put on by the Australian Millinery Association and over the years by looking at old hats and the different ways they are constructed.

How long have you been a milliner for? Where else did you work?

I got my first job as a milliner in 1990, with a period costume company in London. There I made hats for different film and television productions: BBC costume dramas, Merchant Ivory films etc. It was a great job and I learned alot there. They had a room full of original costumes dating back to the 19th century. I could hold the bonnets and hats and see how they were made.

I worked with the costume designer, interpreting their designs. The actors came in to be fitted for the costumes including the hats. I learnt a lot about the history of hats, as I would research the millinery fashions of the period before I started making hats for each film.

I worked with this company for 5 years before returning to Melbourne Australia where I set up my own millinery business. I work from my studio in Melbourne. I have done freelance theatre work here, but most of the hats I make now are for the Melbourne Cup: a big horse race run on the first Tuesday in November. Its a huge hat wearing event.

I wholesale my hats to different boutiques and have my own clients coming to my studio to order individual hats. I also teach millinery.

Where do you get inspiration for your designs?

I get inspiration from the fabrics I use. I'm always on the look out for different materials. Garage sales and hardware stores can reveal some interesting treasures. I also draw inspiration from historical work I've done.

What has been your most enjoyable commission?

I love making the spring range of hats for a Melbourne fashion designer Victoria Loftes. She has a beautiful shop in Little Collins Street. Its fun working with another designer . Not only does she appreciate the finest quality straw and the vintage silk veiling, but she loves the hats to be different, fun and quirky. I can really "go to town"! Not only that but she does a terrific job of displaying the hat . The sales staff show great interest in finding out how the hats are to be properly worn and pass that information on to the purchaser.

How would you describe your style of hats?

Elegant and quirky that relate well to the head!

Who do you make hats for? i.e. Church goers? Brides? Every day winter wear?

Mostly occasion wear ( race wear, mother of bride, synagogue) but increasingly every day winter wear.

What materials and techniques do you favour?

It varies from year to year. I love fine quality vintage materials.

Contact details.

Louise Macdonald Milliner 807, 37 Swanston Street Melbourne, Victoria Australia 3000

Tel: +61 (03) 9650 1352 Fax: +61 (03) 9650 1352 Website: http://www.LouiseMacdonald.com.au

Some examples of her work.