AUSTRALIAN MILLINER HEADING TO THE ROYAL ASCOT TO PROMOTE HEADWEAR

Peggy Stone left Sydney yesterday for London, with a collection of hats and a mission to flaunt Australia's finest on the field at this years’ Royal Ascot horse race.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to promote Australian millinery - and where else would you go to showcase millinery than Ascot?" said Stone, who has packed designs by Neil Grigg and Richard Nylon alongside her own. "I've only chosen the best to take with me."

This year's meeting marks the official reopening of Ascot's Berkshire racecourse after an extensive renovation and redevelopment of the track and grandstand. Stone anticipates that the opening day, June 20, will receive more coverage than usual - and more photo opportunities.

"That's the reason I'm taking the opportunity to do it - there will be so much focus on the world stage." Before the opening day, the travelling hats will also make up an exhibition at Hen boutique in London's South Kensington. "We're having a little soiree for the launch," Stone said.

Although a passionate admirer of hats, she is a relative newcomer to the millinery game. Having run several small businesses, she became frustrated by not being able to find hats to fit her. "There wasn't much in department stores then, so I thought maybe I could do a course and make one myself," she said.

Discovering a flair for design, she then went to study at the London College of Fashion in 1999, followed by a stint with milliner to the Queen, Frederick Fox, an Australian, in 2000.

Peggy Stone, trying on one of her creations. Photo: Jacky Ghossein