Tommy Cobau is a New York–based theatrical milliner whose work spans Broadway, opera, ballet, national tours, and major entertainment companies. Tommy studied Costume Design and Technology in Ohio, where he first developed an interest in sculptural construction and headwear. He went on to complete a millinery apprenticeship at the Santa Fe Opera under Deborah Nash, gaining experience in large‑scale repertory production and the collaborative pace of an opera workroom.

After moving to New York, Tommy’s first role was refurbishing headpieces for the Radio City Rockettes, a fast introduction to high‑volume, high‑precision entertainment work. He later joined the studios of Lynne Mackey and Arnold Levine, contributing to millinery for Broadway productions and cruise ship shows, and building a reputation for consistency, adaptability, and strong workshop communication.

As his freelance practice expanded, Tommy began creating pieces for the New York City Ballet, further developing techniques for lightweight, movement‑responsive headwear. In 2021, Tommy was appointed Head Milliner at the Metropolitan Opera, succeeding Janet Linville. There, he managed millinery builds across a demanding repertory schedule, overseeing teams, budgets, and the technical requirements of productions ranging from new commissions to historic revivals.

In 2025, Tommy established his own millinery studio, where he now works full‑time with a growing team. His shop produces custom headwear and accessories for theatre, opera, ballet, film, and private clients, with a focus on practical construction, repeatability, and meeting the specific needs of performance environments

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie for MillineryInfo

Sombrerería Mil stands as one of Barcelona’s most enduring craft institutions—a hat shop founded in 1856 and now led by Jordi Creus Arnau, the fifth generation of the Arnau family. For more than 160 years, the business has preserved the traditions of master hatmaking while evolving with the city’s cultural life. Their current shop, located at C/ Fontanella 20, has been part of Barcelona’s urban fabric since 1917, retaining its original charm even as it continues to serve a modern, international clientele.

Inside this century‑old space, visitors find an extensive selection of hats, caps, and seasonal accessories—from Panama hats and natural fibres for summer to felt and wool styles for winter. Sombrerería Mil is known for stocking many of the world’s most prestigious brands, including Stetson, Borsalino, Brixton, Bailey, Christy’s, Göttmann, Doria, Elosegui, Kangol, Mayser, and Signes, alongside their own labels Mil and Núria Arnau. Their in‑house workshop continues the tradition of hand‑crafted production, offering bespoke headdresses and special‑occasion pieces for weddings, ceremonies, theatre, and carnival.

Beyond retail, Sombrerería Mil plays an active role in Barcelona’s contemporary hat culture. The family—particularly Núria Arnau—has been a strong supporter of Barcelona Hat Days, contributing workshops, demonstrations, and community engagement. The shop is also closely associated with the city’s legendary Barcelona Hat Stroll, an annual celebration that brings together milliners and hat lovers from around the world to parade through the streets in their finest headwear.

Today, Sombrerería Mil remains a rare blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and cultural leadership. It is both a living museum of European hatmaking and a vibrant hub for contemporary millinery, continuing to inspire locals, visitors, and the global hat community.

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie for MillineryInfo

Fiona Cooper is a Melbourne-based milliner and owner of the brand Millinery Laa Laa. She graduated from Kangan TAFE with a Certificate IV in Millinery.

Encouraged by Rose Hudson, she became Secretary of Millinery Australia, serving from 2020 to 2022, before ascending to President in 2023 and contributing to the industry’s growth.

In 2025, Fiona won the Lillian Frank Millinery Award with her visually striking GRAPHICA design, which linked her graphic design background to quilting traditions through five coloured stripes in navy, khaki, amethyst, grey, and white, balancing and contrasting with each other.

In 2022, she placed in the Top 10 of the Millinery Australia Design Award “Counter Balance” with her piece “3 Sisters”, graphically depicting the bond between her and her twin sisters.  Fiona has shared her pieces as part of a collaborative Pop-up Shop, Millinery Headquarters.

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie and edited by Maria Volkova for MillineryInfo

In this episode, we are joined by the three winners of the 2025 Australia Millinery Award – Rebecca Share, Tracey Tau, and Angela Sullivan – three remarkable designers shaping the face of contemporary Australian millinery. They share their personal sources of inspiration, their choice of materials and techniques, and insights into their creative process.

Winner of both First Prize and the Patron’s Pick for her whimsical yet highly technical piece “Pigs Do Fly”, Rebecca Share is a celebrated milliner known for her bold, sculptural designs. Her work has gained international acclaim, with bespoke headpieces featured on Jennifer Lopez’s 2019 U.S. tour. A two-time MYER Fashions on the Field Millinery Award winner, Rebecca also leads hatatelier.com, mentoring the next generation of milliners through online courses and masterclasses.

Melbourne-based milliner Tracey Tau, founder of TOOALI Millinery, blends modern elegance with craftsmanship inspired by her early years in the racing industry. She now leads The Essential Hat and serves as Vice President of Millinery Australia, supporting the growth and visibility of Australian hat makers worldwide. This year, she took second prize in the Australia Millinery Award with her sculptural headpiece “We’re Off to Paris!”

Angela Sullivan shares her millinery journey – how her family’s love of craft and her background as a hairdresser led her to become a milliner and a fellow member of Millinery Australia, taking third place in this year’s competition. Her piece “Party on the Lawn” combined playfulness, exceptional skill, and lightness to ensure comfortable wear. She has also earned multiple distinctions, including Best in Show at the 2025 Ekka.

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie and edited by Maria Volkova for MillineryInfo

Marthe Dumas is a versatile French millinery artist and craftswoman, celebrated for her diverse creations that include hats for TV and stage productions, haute couture, everyday wear, weddings, special occasions, and even video games. She combines exceptional craftsmanship with a keen sensitivity to materials and artistic creativity to bring her unique designs to life.

Marthe’s interest in millinery began while training in embroidery at Lycée professionnel La Source, a vocational arts and crafts college in Nogent-sur-Marne, a suburb of Paris:

“I can’t explain why, but I was drawn to this accessory. For me, it felt innate, as if it had always been part of me.”

She has worked with distinguished institutions such as the Opéra de Paris Bastille, the Opéra Comique, Maison Michel, Anthony Peto, Marie Mercié (Atelier 144), and Chéri Bibi. Her portfolio includes contributions to live performances, audiovisual projects, and artistic events.

Marthe designed headwear for the period crime drama “Paris Police 1905” and more recently collaborated with Ubisoft Video Games, creating hats for various game universes.

Motivated by a desire to express her own vision, Marthe launched her eponymous brand, which she has been actively developing since 2017.

Her style is profoundly influenced by the materials she works with, especially her favourite—soft, plush felt. Marthe listens closely to the fabric’s texture and character, drawing inspiration from its unique tactile qualities as she creates.

In 2025, Marthe was honoured with the prestigious Craft Prize at the Chazelles-sur-Lyon Millinery Competition for her creation, Le Pointill’ Hat. She painstakingly hand-stitched 6,350 small multicoloured felt dots onto a white fur felt beret, each dot sewn individually. This striking technique celebrates both artistry and tradition, paying homage to pointillism while transforming the beret into a vibrant tribute inspired by Georges Seurat’s masterful approach to art.

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie and edited by Maria Volkova for MillineryInfo

Discover the inspiring journey of Inge Los, the creative mind behind “Bring Your Own Cake,” this year’s winning piece at the Dutch Hat Association Competition. Inge’s adventure into millinery began back in 2015, when she sought a creative outlet and found not only artistry but a sense of calm and patience she hadn’t known before. Under the expert mentorship of renowned Dutch hat designer Marga van der Bos, Inge honed her craft, finding joy and fulfilment that contrasted with her earlier jobs.

After overcoming personal trauma in 2020 and still living with its impact, Inge realised how crucial it was to return to millinery—a source of comfort and self-expression. Her award-winning hat, inspired by the whimsical theme “Mad Hatter’s Wonderland,” showcases her inventive spirit. The engineering challenge of perfectly placing the golden sieve kept her awake for nights on end, but the final result was nothing short of flawless.

Winning the Dutch Hat Association Competition was a surreal, empowering experience for Inge. It reignited her motivation and helped her break free from simply collecting materials, encouraging her to complete projects and clear space for fresh, bold ideas.

Embracing her creativity, Inge also embarked on a new career in IT, a move that supports her craft and lets her enjoy creative freedom in both the digital and couture worlds. Check the podcast description for a link and admire the breathtaking balance and beauty of Inge’s millinery creation!

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie and edited by Maria Volkova for MillineryInfo

Noel Stewart is a renowned British milliner based in London. Born and raised in Leicester, he moved to London to study at the Royal College of Art, which became the launching pad for his remarkable career in millinery.

Noel honed his craft under the guidance of industry icons Stephen Jones, Rachel Skinner, and Philip Somerville. His career and designs are both enigmatic and exceptional, seamlessly blending contemporary aesthetics with traditional millinery techniques. Inspired by architecture, Noel’s hats are sublime creations that merge luxurious materials with comfort, resulting in headpieces that are both wearable and elevating. His work spans collaborations with leading fashion brands, as well as theatre, television, and film productions.

He has designed for prestigious names including Mulberry, Hussein Chalayan, Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, JW Anderson, Hermès, Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy Haute Couture, and Valentino.

Noel’s creations have adorned celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Keira Knightley, Kylie Minogue, Cara Delevingne, Victoria Beckham, and the Duchess of Sussex.

His headpieces have appeared on screen in productions like Damsel (2024), Emma. (2020), Mary Queen of Scots (2018), Murder on the Orient Express (2017), and The Danish Girl (2015). For Murder on the Orient Express, he collaborated with Oscar-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne, creating hats and headpieces for Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Penelope Cruz, Lucy Boynton, and Olivia Colman.

Recently, Noel and his team completed work on a new production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Barbican, and crafted hats for the ongoing Balenciaga Haute Couture show in June – July 2025. The 53rd Balenciaga Haute Couture show featured Noel’s extraordinary wide-trimmed plumage hats, carbon hats and whimsical t-shirt hats.

When asked about creating Ascot hats or helping clients choose from his atelier, Noel says:

“Finding the right hat should be a playful exploration. It should be a joyous expression of discovering themselves.”

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie and edited by Maria Volkova for MillineryInfo

Tracey Tau is a Melbourne-based milliner, currently a Vice President of Millinery Australia, the creative behind TOOALI Millinery, and the new owner of The Essential Hat. Her journey into millinery began after a long career in the racing industry, where her passion for fashion and textiles inspired her to pursue hat-making. In 2013, she refined her skills at Kangan Institute, learning from leading Australian milliners such as Louise Macdonald, Serena Linderman, (the late) Paris Kyne, Melissa Jackson, Richard Nylon, and Rose Hudson. Her love for vintage fabrics led her to create truly unique hats for her own millinery brand – TOOALI – “The Only One Around Like It”.

Her creative process is intuitive, resulting in pieces that are as distinctive as the people who wear them. Her talent has earned her recognition as a Top 10 Finalist with the piece “Finderella” in the Millinery Australia Design Award in 2023.

 In 2023 Tracey became the new owner of The Essential Hat, taking the shop over from her long time millinery partner and collaborator Cathrine Ellen. In this episode Tracey also shares the background story of the transition and how Cathrine Ellen left the millinery industry after decades of leading one of the most popular hat and accessories shop in Melbourne and organising the MIMC -Melbourne International Millinery Competition since 2017.

Through her creativity, leadership, multitasking superpower and entrepreneurial spirit, Tracey Tau is shaping the future of Australian millinery and inspiring a new generation of hat makers and lovers.

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie and edited by Maria Volkova for MillineryInfo