Melbourne Fashion Week 2002

And what a week it was, writes Waltraud Reiner

Milliners like Louise MacDonald, Serena Lindeman, Tabassi & Reiner, and Georgina Conheady showed their work in conjunction with leading Australian fashion houses.

Over the years designers have come to understand how to work together with milliners to enhance their collections. According to Serena Lindeman, a Melbourne milliner, the hat at Fashion Week was either theatrical and breathtaking or casual and unstructured. Louise Macdonald also involved in the Opening Parade, sees the trend still towards small hats and lots of veiling. Both miliiners agreed colours are going to be the good old black and white, red, burgundy and plum, greens and browns. Louise also felt the 1940s influence is still very strong this season.

Philip Rhodes supported Designer Jenny Hoo with his outstanding work and flair for detail. From Victorian ruffles, structured corsets and luxurious velvets to leather, faux fur, tweed and corduroy.

Many of Kondo’s designs were 'hatted' with faux fur and treated silks by 'Tabassi & Reiner' of Melbourne. So the Hat was here, there and everywhere. Not in big numbers but after all it was there!

The Hat Magazine, p 4, Iss 13, Apr May June, 2002