Award winning designer, artist, celebrity milliner & designer and creator of "The World's Most Expensive Hat", Natalie Bikicki takes time out from her busiest period before The Melbourne Cup to tell us more about herself and her world of fashionable headwear.
Q - Tell us about your background. How does it influence your designs?
A - My background is in art, predominately, I love all aspects of creation and design, I like to draw from my knowledge of period costume, fine art and fashion drawing when making millinery, there is something about using ones hands to create art that is intoxicating, when I have the rainbow of colourful soft fabrics and laces, juxtaposed with leather, metal and plastics and a hat block in front of me, my imagination runs wild, it is a lot of fun putting pieces together.
Q - Your designs are beautiful, how do you get inspired?
A - Thank you, I get inspired by many different things- Art Books, Vintage Fashion, fabrications, Jewellery -I come across so many interesting things while exploring for new materials, and always wonder, "how can I use it?".
Q - What's your favourite part about being in the Millinery industry?
A - I love creating things, I love putting pieces together making something beautiful and feminine and then seeing them on my clients. I also love going to the races, seeing the ladies in their fashion, it is so colourful and imaginative.
Q - What's your favourite place in the world and why?
A - One of my favourite places in the world is Japan, the fashion, the food, it is so beautiful, and it’s like a sensory overload! I have picked up some of my most interesting materials from there as well- one of the most interesting pieces was a gold and black latex lace which i used for my last collection
Q - What’s your favourite Melbourne Cup hat/ fascinator this year? And what trends should we expect to see at the Racetrack?
A - From my collection my favourite piece this year (and also my best seller) is the Red Rosette Crown, four red roses on a gold band with black and gold jewelled elements -it has a very Spanish theme, and quite intricate detail, which is very popular this year. Pretty dainty pieces such as crowns are very on trend, they can be worn with cascading or sleek hair styles making them versatile, as well as statement millinery, especially in the shape of boaters and saucer hats.
Q - It would be great if you can tell us more about any special memories you have around big races, people who inspire you, awards you’ve won and of course your customers.
A - One of my special memories is in 2014, I designed the “The World’s Most Expensive Hat” with Australian/London based Calleija Jewellers. It was a 3 million dollar diamond encrusted leather crown with debuted in Melbourne for Derby Day, then the Queensland Magic Millions and was displayed at the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art. That same year the privilege of being a Worldwide Finalist for Vogue/Muuse 2014 Accessories Design Awards,
I have also had the pleasure of dressing many Australian Celebrities including, Jen Hawkins, Steph Claire Smith, Racheal Finch, Nikki Phillips, Giann Rooney, Rebecca Maddern, Laura Dundavic, Lauren Phillips, Jodi Gordan, with my designs being featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan Bride, and Vogue Australia.
For More Information on Natalie Bikicki Millinery please visit www.thebridalheadpiece.com