Our Milliner feature this week is on Cessiah Alice, a milliner from Hobart. She is now officially a full time milliner with a new huge home studio being built!! … and she needs it with the amount of incredible hats she turns out each week!
Cessiah’s style can be described as vintage with a modern twist. She loves flowers, they are seen in many of her creations and loves the elegance of a simple, well crafted headpiece.
Cessiah has been a member of Millinery Market since 2017, you can find a wide variety of her stunning one of a kind hats for sale. Below Cessiah shares with us some of her favourite milliner moments and experiences.
First experience with Millinery (what got you into hat making)?
My very first experience would have been about ten years ago making small headpieces for my Mum, Victoria Henderson, to sell in her shop, Ruby & Leo. In 2012 I completed my Certificate II in Millinery at the Gordon Institute of TAFE with Mum. The course was one day a week for a year and it was taught by the talented Rebecca Share.
To begin with I wasn’t sure that millinery was going to be for me, but about half way through the course it just clicked and I fell in love with it! In 2015 I got married and moved to Hobart and that’s when I officially established Cessiah Alice Millinery. I am now a full-time milliner!
Favourite hat you’ve ever made?
It would have to be the custom crown I made for Ellie Sheridan for Myer Fashions on the Field last year. Not only was this piece fun to make, but Ellie was the finalist for Tasmania! It was so cool seeing my creation on stage alongside the other amazing finalists on Oaks Day. Definitely one of my biggest achievements to date. I loved the colours, flowers, shape and overall look of this headpiece, especially when paired with Ellie’s fabulous outfit!
The hat that took you the longest to make?
There was a hat I made during my studies at TAFE that was a very unique shape and had a ribbon which was hand sewn around all the intricate nooks and crannies of it. I felt like I was never going to finish it! And probably took me longer as I was still learning and had hardly used a needle and thread prior to this! It was also one of my first pieces of millinery that I sold!
Favourite Milliner Moment?
Ohh…I have a few! Ellie in Myer Fashions on the Field was a big one for me. But another huge moment in my millinery journey was when Milano Imai purchased one of my pieces! I was actually on my way to work when she messaged me to ask if there would be any chance of receiving it in Queensland the next day. I managed to get someone to cover me for the afternoon at work so I could go home and package and post it and luckily it made it to her in time! It was so special to see Milano wearing my piece so beautifully with one of her many fabulous outfits!
Favourite material to work with / signature style?
My signature style I would call “vintage with a modern edge”. I love working with vintage straws – you just can’t get them that same incredible quality anymore.
When I find a beautiful vintage straw hat in an op shop I get so excited and always text Mum straight away! I have a couple which will be made into new pieces for my SS20 Collection. I’m excited to give them a new life!
An exquisite floating headpiece embellished with delicate baby pink sinamay roses, accented by center crystals and adorned with soft goose feather leaves. The piece is bordered with a beautiful starbright braid, providing a dazzling finishing touch.
Its so fine because of the shine.....Front facing percher with the most amazing sparkle from the black braid. Black and white flowers just add to the drama.
Black and ivory front percher, hand beaded with glitter leaf trim. Perfect Autumn/Winter millinery. Lightweight and easy to wear custom headband. Run don’t walk for this one ➡️ 🖤
Beaded Shell Flower Crown ~ Pink & Green 🩷💚 AU$65/week hire
A stunning combination of pink and green shell beads and glass pearl beads have been used to create the beautiful beaded flowers on this piece. Flowers are attached to a metallic gold structure with a comb to assist with holding headpiece in place.
*please note as shells are a natural product please allow some slight colour variation in the beads.
Here comes the sun! Butter yellow wide sinamay headband with a stunning array of lemon and butter yellow feather flowers. On an easy to wear velvet covered headband.
A stunning vintage racello straw has been hand dyed and picks up colours of cornflower and lilac. This provided inspiration for the Cobalt, Cornflower and Lilac feather flowers with a mist of super fine veiling to finish.
Madeline Saucer in pink straw with white edge Spring Racewear 💗 AU$580
Madeline Saucer is a curved saucer shape that is finished with a chic white lace straw edge. This style is one size fits all and is secured to the head with a shaped wire headband, elastic and comb.in pink straw with white edge Spring Racewear Headpiece.
Cristina front of the head pillbox in pale pink with a knot 🤍 AU$480
The Cristina headpiece is a front-of-head angular shape with a knotted trim in a pale pink straw. This style is one size fits all and is secured to the head with a shaped base, elastic and comb.
Monique Saucer in Textured Straw Silk Poppy Flower Trim in Red❤️ AU$620
The Monique Sauver is a gently curved saucer shape finished with matching patent braid on the under edge leaving a smooth top and rich silk poppies that are hand-crafted in-house. This style is one size fits all and is secured to the head with a shaped wire headband, elastic and comb.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/555594
Our Miss Nikki fascinator will always stand out in the crowd. She definitely is a showstopper! Miss Nikki features a metallic golden signature crest and hand made red, pink and purple flowers cascading down the right side of the face. She is a one off piece.
You can gently squeeze or stretch the headband to adjust to the tightness at which you would like to wear it. The small teeth at the front will hold it in place for all day wear.
A large pink peony is the focal point of this design, while the pale blue flowers and the freshness of the green leaves add to the beautiful spring colour pallet.
This parisisal facehugger has been hand dyed to the perfect sage green color. It features a crinoline swirl and beautiful vine winding its way around the headpiece. A double wound elastic secures this piece to the head.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/555387
Mrs Orchid fascinator will always stand out in the crowd. She features a fuchsia pink signature crest (with silver back) with hand made bubblegum pink and red orchids cascading down the right side of the face.
You can gently squeeze or stretch the headband to adjust to the tightness at which you would like to wear it. The small teeth at the front will hold it in place for all day wear.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/555192
A beautiful black pleated satin rear facing pillbox. Handcrafted red and green velvet flowers and leaves. Easy to wear with elastic and comb. Autumn/Winter millinery Essential.❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/555240
A stunning bright red lace wide brim hat. Designed to perch on the head to one side, making it a one size fits all piece. The hat measures 52cm in diameter.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/555202
Ivory sinamay saucer hat, 16 inch. Ivory statement feathers, with beautiful vintage inspired statement silk flowers. Attaches to the head via hairband.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/555255
Circular beret percher hat of colorful grosgrain ribbons, hand embroidered cross-stitches. This fascinator looks simple but was technically quite challenging to create. I made the fabric by interlacing ribbons, carefully measuring to the millimeter and then stitching to secure. Featured on the cover of Hatlines hat magazine, Winter 2021!
Measurements: 7.5 in diameter (19 cm)
Hat Box: 12 in
How to Wear: Worn on right side of forehead. Secures with custom headband and metal comb.
Hand cut iridescent feathers fitted to a tulle covered narrow headband.
Designed to be worn on the right hand side of the head. Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/555172 . . . #millinery #hats #hathire #millinerysale #hatrental #hatsforsale #millinerylove #millinerydesign #hatlover #headwear #springracing #melbournecup #springcarnival #racedaystyle #fascinators #headpieces #hatsofinstagram #fashionheadwear #millinerytrends #hatobsession #hat #millinerymarket #millineryhire #derbyday #oaksday #fascinator #fascinatorhire #boaterhat #flowercrown
The Claudia Boater features a tall square crown with short flat traditional style make from a patterned straw with petershame ribbon hat band.
This style is best made to order with your headfit and is helped to stay on the head with an elastic.
This piece is part of the Collins Spring Collection and is perfect for many occasions, select your Claudia Boater today.
The headpiece comes in other colours or can be custom-made in various colours. Contact us to find out more about customising this style. Please allow 2-4 weeks lead time for a custom order.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/554040
Sylvie - Green Halo Headpiece with Statement Flower 💚$339
Part of the SS23 Collection, this statement headpiece features a blocked straw crown with statement foam flower and two tulle wrapped halos, fastened by an elastic.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/554929
Taino - Fuchsia Button Base with Raspberry feather flower £220
A stunning Fuchsia sinamay button base sits under a delicate Raspberry handmade feather flower with a green ostrich quill for the stem and green diamond cut feathers for the leaves attached to a hat elastic so you can position anywhere on your head.. The fascinator does come supplied with a hat elastic NOT an Alice band.
Part of the SS23 Collection, this one-off design features a rear-sitting hand-blocked vintage raffia pillbox with handmade silk abaca bow, fastened by an elastic.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/554935
Black & White Houndstooth Pillbox Hat with Large Bow - Fleur $320
A black & white Houndstooth patterned Pillbox hat with a large bow. The classic pillbox shape is complemented by the striking Houndstooth pattern, adding a touch of sophistication and refinement. The large wired bow on top adds a glamorous touch, making this hat a statement piece.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Fleur hat is designed to provide a secure and comfortable fit. It is attached with hat elastic, ensuring it stays in place throughout the day. The one-size-fits-all design offers convenience and versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of head sizes.
Complete with a complimentary hat box, the Fleur hat is perfect for special occasions.
Available at www.millinerymarket.com/en/listings/554712
A rambling rose gracefully winds itself around this blush tinalak headband. The sparkling stem adds a beautiful eye-catching effect. Dramatic and elegant, this versatile piece is ready for your next event!