Past winner: 2020 Emerging Designer

How long did it take to create? 
Anyone familiar with my work would probably know I’m not generally one to hold back or play it safe. I went back and forth about entering this particular design, wondering if it would make enough of a statement to be well-received by the judges. Fortunately, they saw something in it. The experience actually taught me an important lesson in editing – something I’ve applied to my designs ever since. 

How long have you been involved with racing or FOTF? 
Very early in my fashion journey, it became a big dream of mine to be involved with Spring Racing fashion in some capacity, whether that was the Emerging Designer Award, the Millinery Award, or simply through a FOTF enthusiast styling themselves in one of my designs.

There’s nothing like racewear for a designer: it’s such a fun challenge to work within a traditional framework while still pushing limits and showcasing your unique aesthetic. 

Is millinery your profession or a passion project? 
Fashion and millinery design are my true passions. They allow me to express creativity in bold and personal ways. A big part of what I do is statement jewellery design, and I love the freedom to mix things up across all my creations. My background is in architecture, which continues to influence and inform my approach to design. 

Has winning opened new doors? 
Being invited to judge the competition the following year was super exciting and a huge honour. I was also honoured to have my millinery work exhibited in the incredible new Nantong Hat Museum and included in their 101 Design Book project alongside some of the world’s greatest milliners. Beyond that, and a few other museum acquisitions, I’ve been fortunate to win or place in several other local and international design and millinery awards, and to showcase my work on runways. But most importantly, my focus remains on creating one-of-a-kind, artistic pieces, whether for celebrities, influencers, or fellow art lovers who appreciate unique design.