Irene van Vugt is a renowned Dutch hat and bag designer celebrated for her meticulous craftsmanship and innovative approach to 3D design. A graduate of the School of the Arts in Utrecht in 1995, Irene has carved out a successful career as an independent designer, gaining recognition both in the Netherlands and internationally.

Irene’s signature style is a distinctive blend of historical influences and modern aesthetics. She draws inspiration from various historical periods, incorporating classical elements into her designs while infusing them with a contemporary twist. This unique combination sets her work apart, making each piece not only a fashion statement but also a work of art.

A hallmark of Irene’s work is her detailed approach to material research and technique development. She is dedicated to exploring and experimenting with new materials, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in hat and bag design. This rigorous process ensures that every piece she creates is meticulously finished, showcasing her exceptional skill and attention to detail. Her expertise in this area has earned her a place in The Hat Magazine, where she contributes to the research and testing departments. Through her articles, she shares her findings on new materials and techniques, influencing and inspiring her peers in the industry.

Irene’s passion for design is matched by her love for teaching. She is committed to sharing her knowledge and skills with others, fostering a new generation of designers. She regularly teaches at local art schools, where she conducts workshops and courses in hat and bag making. Additionally, Irene offers vocational training from her studio in Utrecht, providing hands-on learning experiences for aspiring designers. Her teaching approach emphasizes the importance of creativity, precision, and a thorough understanding of materials and techniques.

Irene’s contributions to The Hat Magazine are a testament to her skill within the industry. In her role within the research and testing departments, she delves into the latest advancements in materials and methods, offering valuable insights that help shape the future of hat design. Her publications serve as a resource for fellow designers, providing them with the knowledge needed to innovate and excel in their craft.

Throughout her career, Irene has achieved numerous milestones. Her work has been featured in fashion shows, exhibitions, fashion and art museums.

Sophie Allport has just celebrated 10 years off Allport Millinery.  Growing us Sophie attended local country race tracks and wanted to create a unique piece to wear.  She began exploring millinery through online courses with Hat Academy while living in remote New South Wales.  She took the bold leap to move to Melbourne to enrol in a Fashion Business course and soon found herself working at House of Adorn.

Continuing to expand her business and millinery skills Sophie began attending the Flemington Racecourse and started building up a client base.  Sophie returned home to sunny Queensland where she has continued to develop her work releasing collections and designing custom-made pieces.

Sophie currently works from her home studio in Brisbane.  In 2020 Sophie was invited to join the Hat Academy Team as a Teacher and now has three different lessons available on the platform as well as hosting online events.

Waltraud Reiner is a milliner and drive behind Hatmobile.  She discovered her love of hats when she moved from Austria to Australia in the early 1980s.  As a graduate of a Fashion Design Degree in Austria she had a love of textiles.  She fell into work with Melbourne milliner Magda Urban and trained in Magda’s studio and began her path to millinery.

Her passion for the hat trade has taken her across the globe.  This included working for royal milliner Phillip Somerville and learning from London legend Rose Cory. Following time spent overseas with her young family Waltraud launched her own millinery studio in 1990 in Melbourne.  She established the Melbourne School of Millinery (a division of Kangan Batman TAFE) soon afterward, where she taught for 13 years.

Waltraud looked to explore materials and techniques which led her to expand her business and become a supplier opening Torb & Reiner in the early 1990s. The business was sold in 2016 to Lindsday Whitehead and is now known as Millinery Hub.

Following her experience teaching Millinery at Kangan Tafe in Melbourne, Waltraud began tae her classes on the road. She began holding short workshops interstate and internationally. While travelling via plane allowed for a quick trip she saw an opporutnity to emerse herself in the communities she was visiting and offer them more opportunities by bringing more millinery suppleis with her.  This is how Hatmobile was born. Together, Waltraud and the Hatmobile (named Audrey) travel all over Australia, holding workshops, supplying materials and spending time in remote communities to learn their crafts.