The guests on The Fine Line on Tuesday 9 September were Marg Johnson and Franca Frederiksen, Sustainable Couture designers and soon to turn heads at Central Craft here in Alice Springs with their ‘Magic of Millinery’ Workshop.
Franca and Marg spoke of where their love of millinery began – Franca being fascinated by the old 50’s movies and the gorgeous dresses with matching hats that the stars of the screen wore ensuring they had a complete outfit that coordinated to perfection. Franca was also inspired by the headwear of the 1920’s with the art deco beaded and sequined headbands. Marg grew up loving hats as her mother always wore them, making hats for Marg too. Marg was captivated with the history of costume and this was a great source of pleasure for her growing up, examining hats through the ages with their infinite details.
Marg and Franca had attended a one week millinery course with a European milliner some years ago in Melbourne and together learnt the intricate art of making and embellishing hats, fascinators and all the trimmings that one uses in the process.
They are going to be passing on their knowledge at their ‘Magic of Millinery’ workshop this coming Saturday the 13th September from 9.30am until 3pm at Central Craft in the Araluen Cultural Precinct. Marg and Franca have collected fabulous trimmings that include a wide range of different fabrics, flowers, leaves, bows or feathers for participants to use when creating their own unique headpiece.
Both have been inspired by the many famous milliners whose creations have graced the heads of commoners and royalty alike. Marg and Franca shared their thoughts on what they thought made a well-designed hat; from a proper fit to the different shapes, colours and embellishments that suit one’s shape of face, colouring and outfit to be worn with.
Marg has recently returned from Mexico where she was fortunate to discover some exquisite panama hats which are of Ecuadorian origin and traditionally made from the plaited leaves of the Carludovica palmata plant, or toquilla palm or jipijapa palm. Marg had given one to Franca as a gift and both are planning to embellish these woven and plaited hats into new creations. Marg also recounted how the woman walk and talk as they weave and plait the hats as they go about their daily business.
So a treat is in store for those of you in Alice Springs this Saturday – the magic of making your own millinery with Marg Johnson and Franca Frederiksen!
Jen Standish-White talks with Marg Johnson and Franca Frederiksen, Sustainable Couture designers and soon to turn heads at Central Craft here in Alice Springs with their ‘Magic of Millinery’ Workshop.
Broadcast: Tuesday 9 September 2014 at 12 noon on 8CCC Community Radio 102.1FM