HATS OFF TO AKUBRA

Aussie hat maker Akubra created period inspired hats for Baz Lurhmann’s new film Australia. Rosie Boylan (who worked on the film) chose 450 hats from Akubra. Costume Designer Catherine Martin and a team of milliners created headwear for the principal cast and hundreds of extra’s to profile life in 1930’s Australia.

“From our perspective, working with Rosie was a great collaboration. She first came to us in 2005 with a very clear vision of what was needed. We enjoyed the creative process and it is exciting to see it all coming to fruition now, knowing we’re a small but recognisable part of what will undoubtedly be Australian cinematic history,” said Managing Director Stephen Keir, the fifth generation of Keir to take the helm at the family owned and operated Akubra.

According to Boylan, “My role was to create a range of strong character looks that carried the epic Hollywood styling of the film. I took the cinematic vision and worked with Akubra to translate their classic hats into customised pieces.”

Many of the Akubra hats supplied were hand shaped and aged by Rosie and her team. They also created trims and wide ribbon banding that was typical of that era.

“We sent fresh new open crowned hats to them and they made them look like they’d been worn through a war and years in the outback. Our hats are renowned for their durability so I’m sure getting them to age was an art in itself,” added Stephen Keir.

Akubra also made hats for The Man from Snowy River, Crocodile Dundee and Bodyline. Akubra has been distributed in North America since 1965 by David Morgan of Bothell WA, 800-324-4934, http://akubra-usa.com or will@davidmorgan.com (425) 485-2132.