Julie Herbert, an Australian milliner renowned for her bespoke creations, shares insights into her creative process, recent projects, and the personal experiences that have shaped her millinery.
After a busy time preparing for Spring Carnival, you received a special request from Storm Keating to create a custom headpiece for Melbourne Cup Day. What did it mean to have your work showcased on such a high-profile day?
It was such a thrill and privilege for me on Melbourne Cup Day. I am a huge fan of Storm's husband, Ronan Keating, Boyzone and his own solo career so creating a handcrafted headpiece literally on the Sunday before the Cup day is a highlight of my Millinery career, and I can't be any prouder to be supporting such a beautiful genuine couple.
Which of your designs have been most popular recently, and what makes them special?
Mostly my wide brim hats as they look chic and classy, which I made one especially for Mrs Rhinehart on behalf of Rowing Australia for a thank you gift for Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Mrs Rhinehart looked beautiful in the custom hat.
How do you go from an idea to a finished hat?
A few ideas come into my head and I sometimes create a sketch but most of the time i just improvise in my creative mind. I have had some of my millinery award entries thought of from a dream and then I wake up in the morning and it is still in my head so i sketch it.
Moninque Lovick Photography
What new materials or techniques have you recently experimented with?
I am currently using feathers which I haven't touched in a long time til now so making flowers out of them is just lovely and vibrant in my millinery styles.
What’s the most important tool in your studio?
My thimble. I cant sew without one on as it helps me to sew quicker and then I don't get hurt with needles when sewing hats and headpieces (they really hurt!).
How do you ensure that each piece resonates with your customers' individual styles?
Creating millinery that is unique, joyful and beautiful is a priority for me with customers pieces. I currently have a off the shelf range so I make my hats, headpieces and headpieces in plain colours mostly and a range of techniques to fit the season or event and have pieces that are a tee to my authentic style that no one else has in the millinery world.
Wearing "Two Visions" headpiece created for 2021 Millinery Award
Having gone through a transformative journey with a cornea transplant, how has this experience shaped your perspective on life and your approach to millinery?
I never give up on anything now in my life, I have experienced walking on fire 3 times and I focus on aligning my true values and choices to grow and be happy in life. I have 2 young kids and a husband on a farm near Orange in New South Wales, and I love my life. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunities in my millinery journey and I approach my millinery with patience and thoughts of I am well, I am happy and I am focusing on enjoying being creative as it is such a great booster for when you feel down or just want to focus on me to have a break in my mum life.
What’s next for you in terms of upcoming collections or projects?
Focusing on Summer hats and also a few other styles and in 2025 I will be back working on bridal hair accessories too as it was a big part of my millinery work prior to covid lockdowns.
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