Who wants to be a milliner?

It takes a special talent to dress heads in attractive headgear, but one enterprising woman seems to have conquered the art form.

PREETI JABBAL reports.

Finally, spring is upon us and it’s time to get rid of the footy scarf and slip into something colourful and elegant, and get ready to hit trackside for the spring races. A dainty trim, a bewitching feather and you are off to a racing start. Each spring, Melbournians emerge from under their winter blankets with a mission to celebrate the new season in cheerful abundance. Racing and fashion go hand in hand and people all over Melbourne are busy coordinating outfits with minute attention, while looking for fashionable headwear to showcase their look.

This year commemorates the 150 year milestone of the Melbourne Cup, also known as People’s Cup. The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is staging a yearlong celebration which will include a diverse calendar of local events expected to offer non-stop fun and celebration in the lead up to running of the iconic ‘race that stops the nation’ on November 2. The Melbourne Cup has had a significant impact on Victoria from its humble beginnings in 1861 to the international phenomenon it is today. Peeling back the many layers of the Melbourne Cup’s remarkable 150year history, the celebrations this year will focus on the national heritage of the Cup, and recognise its great heroes, influential figures, racing clubs and communities.

The palette for this year is neutral soft shades along with the ever popular red and black and the focus is on soft tones like beige, powder pink, pastel green etc., as opposed to bright shocking pinks or yellows

For Milliner Maya Kalan it is time to get into a flurry of innovations to create fabulous fashion on the field. “For those who flinch at the price tag associated with likes of Peter Jago, Alannah Hill and Colette Dinnigan, my creations are an affordable alternative.” claims Maya.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Maya Kalan has been creating hats in Australia since 1997 when she was involved with the design and production of fashion hats as a leading member of the Myer spring racing carnival team. After completing her diploma in millinery in 1999, Maya opened her first fashion boutique in Hawthorn. In July 2000 she moved to a larger store in South Yarra and she now operates from her studio in Mulgrave. Maya’s designs have won several awards and have been very popular with TV presenters who love her eye-catching creations.

Maya’s style can be best described as ‘something vintage, something new’ as she creates masterpieces that are a thoroughly modern take on old world grace. As she proudly takes us through her studio, we see for ourselves the effort and passion that goes into creating a beautiful headpiece. “I love making hats” says Maya with enthusiasm. “It can take anything from a week to a month to create a good hat. I source my material from

China and UK and put it all together here in my studio with the help of my daughter, Chintha. She has been a great support to me all these years,” claims Maya. Millinery is an exclusive and tough profession which is very susceptible to latest trends and fashions. The palette for this year is neutral soft shades along with the ever popular red and black and the focus is on soft tones like beige, powder pink, pastel green etc., as opposed to bright shocking pinks or yellows. Maya and Chintha have been run off their feet trying to get everything ready for the spring races. “The months of October and November are our busiest, with so many events happening like the Emirates Cup, Oaks Day, Caulfield Cup and this year’s special milestone of the Melbourne Cup,” says Maya. What makes her stand out amongst the millinery bandwagon? Maya replies with a smile. “Look at my work,” she says pointing to her wonderfully attractive creations. “My Sri Lankan background helps me a lot when I create designs for my South Asian customers. I know what will look best on their skin type, colour and facial structure. As for the others, I have been working in this field for 13 years and now I create hats to suit individual clients. I tailor it to their personality, face, fashion and occasion, and my designs are guaranteed to turn heads. That is my USP,” claims Maya. Inspired by beauty and elegance, milliner Maya Kalan has dressed many heads. With her dramatic and imaginative creations - clouds of butterflies, festoons of feathers and shapely sculptures - it’s no wonder she’s been awarded several times over. This is indeed, what wearing a hat all is about!