Memorable Day at the Darwin Cup

 Carolyn and Rob in style at the Cup

With much excitement I attended the 2012 Darwin Cup on Monday, the last time I was there was in 1979, Wow.... It sure has changed! Of course I knew that the Darwin Cup has made it to the national calendar and that 1000's come up to enjoy our delightful dry season weather. It was wonderful to see it all first hand and soak up the atmosphere. My main interest naturally were the HATS. Client Carolyn ( wool beret named in her honour) commissioned me to make her a hat for the Darwin Cup to match her FAB colourful shoes. The result was ' Calypso'. I started with a rare, vintage polished paribuntal straw, blocked and edged with navy satin. The wired 'twirl' and sinamay button echoed the colour of Carolyn's shoes. Im thrilled to say it worked and Carolyn carried the hat beautifully; and very generously went into the Fashions on the Field and best Millinery at the Darwin Cup last Monday. Just days before the Cup, I made a straw navy cap for Rob, Carolyn's husband. Rob carried off the prize for the best dressed man at the Cup ($2000 worth of pearls from Pearl Gallery!) and Carolyn was selected in the finals for best Millinery. Both Carolyn and Rob are in the ABC's photo gallery and they also photographed the BACK of my hat!! Congratulations to Melissa Barnes, another local milliner who took out the over 25 Fashion on the Field; Well done Melissa. Enough words, I captured some of the amazing outfits and hats and I'll let them do the talking.

Finalists in 'Best Millinery' Carolyn wearing 'Calypso' on far right. The black and yellow took out first prize

Line up of finalists in all ladies categories

All categories wating to mount podium for final result

Over 25 category, with Melissa in the green announced as winner

Finals of best dressed man

Local milliner Belinda from Peacock Millinery & Carolyn on podium

Yours truely photographed by the ABC

Helen Dwyer stylish in 'Madi Gras' with Jeremy sporting satin bow tie I made to co-ordinate with Helen's outfit

Rebecca wearing hat named after her with Chris ready for Darwin Cup

Carolyn and I in line for the millinery nomination

Marquee Winner of Ladies Day Darwin Racing Carnival

Paola stunning in black & white. Paola was  in the 'Allabout Party' Marquee and was voted the best dressed lady.True to her word she sent me a photo of herself 'frocked up' for ladies day, with the added delight of wearing one of my designs for her winnning look.

Darwin Racing Season

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'Vintage Apricot & Cream'- Upcycled into something reminiscent of the 40's

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Calipso' Trim to match clients sky-high colourful wedge shoes

Out there in Orange

Conni's Cloch for Alice Springs winter

Conni wearing Sunny' Lady' -gave up on trying to rotate!

Indigo Lady' sister to 'Vintage Hollywood'

'Rose & lace'

'Viva' Neutral sinamay to which any coloured/style trim can be added

'Madi Gras' Orange & navy is soooo festive!

 Tribal Queen

Polka Dot

Rebecca

White panama beret & large rose

Cherry Blossom & Lime

Another delightful day at Parap Market, catching up with lots of folk not seen for ages and generally enjoying the passing parade. If you are interested in owning any one of these hats, email me at gayzdesign@gmail.com Im sure you all agree that Danni'elle looks wonderful modeling my hats.
I only decided today that I will be attending the Darwin Cup. I'm sooooo looking forward to seeing all the fabulous headwear in real life!

Glamorous Gardening Hat

Marlene is both a garden lover and a hat lover. Swaning around in her 'Red lady' creates another bloom in her garden. Marlene is spreading joy to the world by wearing her hats as much as possible

Marlene and I at Nightcliff

A picture is worth a thousand words!

If being a blogger was my job I would have been sacked by now!. I actually don't have time to sit in front of the computer blogging, Im too busy making hats.Anyway a picture is worth a thousand words so Im going to upload some new photos in lieu of thousands of words!
I have been delighted at the response of the general passing parade of market goers who have given me such positive feedback. Most of all I have delighted in meeting the people who will wear my hats. Parap and Nightcliff markets have also proved to be a great place to catch up with folk that I havn't seen for years.

I'll have to update my initial profile sometime as I have a new baby granddaughter born in May.I KNOW she will be a hat lover too! Our little May baby is also named May.

May rugged up for the cold Pine Creek morning; about 11 degrees - cold enough for tropics! 

My daughter Angela wearing the two-way hat, sun visor OR elegant race hat (Another hat lover)

A collection of 'Poke Bonnets' made for Ginger's 9th birthday party with 'Little Home on the Prarie' theme

Straw Cloche  'Miss Fisher Collection'commissoned by Conni - Conni is another hat lover and so far holds the record of owning  three original gayz design hats. I am very grateful to Conni's introduction to lots of hat loving ladies in Katherine.

Conni's "Sunny Lady' straw/silk trim

Two different views of Conni's fur felt cloche to keep her warm over the Alice Springs winters. Danni'elle modeling the feather trim. The cloche came with three interchangable trims - for a completly different look.

Danni'elle modeling 'Carolyn' commissioned by Carolyn for a winter wedding down south.

'Vintage Hollywood'  has created some interest and Ive had orders for a similar style in different colours

Nightcliff Market stall

Parap Market Stall

 
Katherine Arts organised an exhibition of 'Where's your head at?' for International Womans day 2012. These are the Pine Creek contributions.No prizes for guessing which one is mine!

New Hat designs for Territory Race Calendar 2012

Danni'elle wearing 'Exotic East'



Gemma wearing one of the Miss Fisher Collection Black & White Straw Cloche




Danni'elle wearing one of the Miss Fisher Collection Cream Straw Pink Rose Cloche




Gemma wearing one of the Miss Fisher Collection Grey/Red Wool Cloche SOLD




Another one of the Miss Fisher Collection modeled by Gemma




'Mrs Miniver' Vintage design worn by Gemma




Gemma in 'Orange & Strawberry Fizz'




Peacock Blue Cocktail Hat modeled by Danni'elle




Gemma delighted with 'Polka Dot Delight'




Danni'elle wearing 'Spanish Rose' SOLD




Danni'elle in Vintage Rose & Feathers




Danni'elle wearing 'White Ice'




Danni'elle wearing Polka Dot Delight




Gemma wearing Vintage Rose and feathers



Danni'elle wearing 'Audery'

Gemma and Danni'elle at the Pine Creek Museum modeling the latest designs ready for the Territory Race Calendar. Hats will be in Katherine on Saturday from 1pm  21st April at the Coffee Club in collabrition with Kats House Fashion. Look forward to seeing you there!