By Alana Mitchelson
ERIN Tucker’s fascinators will be among local milliners’ hair accessories featured at the inaugural Pakenham Millinery Showcase this week.
Ms Tucker has hand made fascinators for the past five-and-a-half years and currently works from her Beaconsfield home studio under her label Erin Bridget Millinery.
This year is the first time she has launched a spring and summer collection.
Ms Tucker has always loved hats and remembers going to the races from a young age with her family and being in awe of the women dolled up in beautiful dresses and hats.
“I started going to race meets as a teenager and began making my own hats without knowing what I was doing before studying under the mentoring of famous Melbourne milliner Richard Nylon,” she said.
“This is peak time of year for us but there aren’t many opportunities for milliners, particularly locally, to get their work out there and known.
“I think an event like this is a great way for us to display local works from milliners.
“It has the potential to grow, especially with Pakenham Racing Club’s amazing new facilities, and become an annual event in the lead up to the spring carnival.”
Ms Tucker said the latest trends in millinery include boater hats, crowns, leather headband, lace, metallics and bright floral colours.
“I know there are certainly lots of ladies who like getting dressed up at Pakenham Racing Club events,” she said.
“Women may have a dress and want to design a one-off head piece to match their outfit perfectly.”
In addition to Erin Bridget Millinery, local milliners Ash Grey Millinery, Artisan Millinery and Hats by Belle will also be featured at stalls outside the members’ area at Pakenham Racing Club.
The Millinery Showcase is from 6pm to 9.30pm on Thursday 20 October to coincide with the Melbourne Cup tour race meeting in Pakenham.
