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, Jean Carroll OAM, Maris Herr, Jane Stoddart, Carol Wilkes and Pam 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 event would not have been made possible without the tremendous support from our sponsors, particuarly SA Brown Pty Ltd, the pheneomenal volunteer staff and the generosity of the Wagga Wagga community - a HUGE thank you to each and every one of you!!!  

The International Millinery Forum will be held in Wagga Wagga city again in 2011, with planning already underway for a bigger and better event.  

Watch this site for the announcement of the 2011 dates and a link to the event report.