Milliner, Belinda Green. Image supplied.
Racing season is underway which is the busiest time of the year for milliner, Belinda Green and her eponymous label. The designer has had a life-long fascination with racing and founded her label in 2015 after figuring out she could make the headwear she wanted herself. A millinery convention in Brisbane followed by training with renowned milliner Waltraud Reiner in Melbourne gave her the skills she needed to follow her passion. These days Belinda is becoming well-known for her beautiful designs and is learning new techniques all the time.
We caught up with Belinda to find out more about her brand, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
My 2017/18 collection is a mixed bag of soft pastel palettes and bright punchy colours. Two new styles of headwear I’ve tried this season are the turban and halo. I’ve been having fun playing with feathers; they are fantastic for creating bold, sharp looking trims as they hold colour so well. I guess my excitement for the spring/summer racing season shows through my headwear!
What made you become a milliner?
Horse racing. I’ve attended the races ever since I can remember and love everything about it. The atmosphere, having a ‘flutter’ on the nags, catching up with friends, and… getting dressed up! I noticed the fashion competitions and wanted to give it a go. Headwear is essential at the track and especially in the fashion comps, so I brought a hat. I studied this hat and my mind started ticking about how it was made – I was motivated to try create my own. I started off buying a ‘base’ and ‘decorating’ it. My curiosity grew stronger the more I researched hat making. I started wearing my creations to the track and doing well in competitions. It’s worked well being my own customer!
What inspires you?
I am inspired by my fellow racing fashionistas and millinery friends. I think we push each other’s creativeness, seeing new ideas that others bring to the table. When I get home from a day at the track, I am highly motivated to create my next racing look. I find inspiration browsing Instagram and Pintrest using the hashtag #racingfashion. I also like browsing ASOS online fashion store and thinking how I can tweak their clothing. I don’t make my own dresses, but I like to alter ones I’ve brought – this saves time when I’m concentrating more on the hat to go with the dress.
Millinery designs by Belinda Green. Images supplied.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your designs?
To be honest, my personal style at home is not great! When I’m in a rush to head out the door, my daughter is first priority and I give myself about 5 minutes to throw hair back and chuck something on. My personal style at the track is somewhat different, I have this alter ego of being a sophisticated lady! When choosing a dress, I like something that compliments my figure and is vibrant in colour; this season I’m leaning heavily towards yellow.
What is your all-time favourite purchase?
I have this red woollen trench coat I brought years ago from Max. I knew it was going to be a timeless number; it still looks fab. I feel so royal and sassy when I wear it – definitely uplifts my mood in the drab winter months.
What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?
A comfortable pair of black high heels. Comfortable being the key word! Out of all the heels I own, in varying shapes and colours, my black pair get thrashed the most!
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
Be you – everyone else is already taken. Inject your personality into your appearance and you’ll always look fabulous and confident – because you’ll be comfortable.
Millinery designs by Belinda Green. Images supplied.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I am very lucky as there have been many. Right up there, however, is winning a Bernina sewing machine at Tauranga races for best in design category. This was during the early days of my millinery journey and I feel that winning the machine was a sign I was heading in the right direction. The machine has been a fundamental aid in my millinery career and I’ve never looked back.
What can’t you live without?
I couldn’t live without my husband who gives me brutally honest feedback. I rely on him heavily for his “yes/no” and will sometimes wait until he comes home to show him a hat I’m working on. It’s the best feeling when he gives me a yes as his standard is high. I always show him an outfit I’ve put together before a race meeting. He supports and encourages my millinery work and I definitely would not have got this far without him.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Slippers to the supermarket. Enough said.
Images supplied.