Hat Contest – Out of this World

How do milliners tackle the problems of the future?

In a dazzling display of creativity, 22 brilliant milliners entered the spotlight at the Sci-Fi-themed hat contest during Millinery Meet-Up 2024! Sponsored by the fabulous Hat Blocks Australia, these daring contestants were tasked with crafting hats using the most out-of-this-world materials and techniques. Think medical gadgets, pumice stones, motors, voice-activated lights, and more—talk about a wild ride for your noggin!

These head-turning creations weren’t just for show; they were designed to help wearers tackle droughts, bad air quality, and even a lack of greenery. Some clever milliners tapped into the power of the sun to fuel their gadgets, while others adorned the heads of powerful leaders and even blocked those pesky commercials with neuro-disruptors, giving your brain a blissful break from the constant barrage of ads!

Judged by an elite panel of instructors, sponsors, and fellow students, the hats were evaluated on quality, design, wearability, and the creative use of non-traditional materials. Prizes were as fabulous as the hats themselves, featuring a treasure trove of supplies from B Unique Millinery, gift certificates from Hat Blocks Australia and Judith M. Millinery Supply House, a fancy millinery steamer from Jiffy, flowers from MS Schmalberg, an interview with Fashion at the Races, and gift certificates for future Millinery Meet-Up events!

Watch the video of the Hat Parade below. Students strutted their stuff in a fabulous hat parade, turning Arrowmont Galleries into a runway of wacky wonders!

It wasn’t easy to select the winners as all the creations were fantastic, but at last, the judges settled on the following winners of the hat contest: