HONE UP YOUR MILLINERY SKILLS IN AUSTRALIA WITH THE PROS

Richard Nylon hat Hat from Peter Jago from Melbourne
   
Christine Rohr-Bernard from Austria Constance Willems from Germany

The first International Millinery Forum will take place at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, Australia, from February 3 to 8, 2007. The International Millinery Forum is open to both aspiring and professional milliners from around the world.

The forum is the first of its kind in Australia and features an intense five- day program with workshops, professional development seminars, tutor slideshows and a millinery trade expo.

Social and networking opportunities are also planned - including a Welcome Cocktail Party and the Gala de Haught Couture, which will include a dinner and fashion parade featuring millinery from local designers.

Four top international milliners will be teaching: Germany’s Constance Willems; Austria’s Christine Rohr-Bernard; and from the US, Eia Radosavljevic and Jan Wutkowski.

Some of Australia’s most celebrated milliners will also have sessions: Melbourne’s Peter Jago, Richard Nylon, Waltraud Reiner, Sandra Buchanan and Georgina Conheady; Sydney’s Jean Carroll OAM and Neil Grigg; Canberra’s Liz Evans; Adelaide’s Lorraine Gill; Albury’s Elizabeth Hemsley; and Wagga Wagga’s Maris Herr.

“I think the real attraction is that participant milliners will not only be learning at the forum, but working on their own designs under the guidance of our tutors. It’s a rare opportunity to be mentored by so many high profile milliners in the space of one week,” said Linda Tillman.

The 12 tutors will offer a diverse range of workshops, from creating nuno felt, silk cabbage roses and blocks for hat making, through to specific techniques in wire, fur, ruching, crinoline, sinamay and 3-D knitting. Full descriptions of each workshop can be found at: www.csu.edu.au/student/community-ed/special/millinery/workshops.html.

The International Millinery Forum was created after local milliners approached the university seeking an opportunity for further professional development. It is hoped the forum will become a biennial event.

For information contact Linda Tillman at +61-2-6933-2064;
email ltillman@csu.edu.au; or
visit www.csu.edu.au/student/community-ed/special/millinery/index.html.