MARILENA ROMEO

No longer a hat is simply a hat! Hats have become an essential feature and the forefront of fashion. Starting out in 1992, Marilena has experienced immediate success when she entered a contest called “Le Grand Prix of Hats (the outstanding Millinery Design Award). It was established in order to recognize millinery design and the importance of millinery in Australia. Out of 200 entries, three of Marilena’s hats came into the top ten!

Marilena has won the best hat at the Dubai World Cup Millinery Award 2007 and the Best Dressed Award at Cox Plate in Melbourne for 2007.  She has been awarded 2nd runner up for the Melbourne Cup Fashion Design Award for 2008, and has recently been nominated for the "Who's Who of Australian Women in Business for 2009". Her design has also won "Best Dressed Lady" in Sligo, Ireland for 2009 and again in 2010. Two of her hats were finalists for Best Dressed Women Category for the Dubai World Cup in 2011. She was also invited attend “Mornings with Kerrie-Anne Kennerly” Show on Channel 9 as a guest milliner talking about her designs and the winning hat. Her stylish studio has also been featured on "PostCards" on Channel 9 recently. Her wonderful creations have been worn by Kate Ritchie, Anna Koran, Brodie Harper, Giaan Rooney, Jenna from "The Block", just to name a few.

Marilena comes from a back ground in Public Relations and Media having graduated at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne Australia. She has worked in the industry for many years. Having a great passion for hats and glamour, Marilena has completed courses in millinery and Headwear and has been educated by some of the most accomplished and experienced milliners using methods developed by traditional skills along with her modern flair to not only create hats, but “works of art”.

Many of Marilena’s awe inspired creations are from a bygone era which in turn she then exaggerates and creates a jaw-dropping unique hat. As such, many of her hats are left on display long after the races are over.

As her company names suggests, Marilena likes to capture the fairytale aspect of millinery along with the romance. Many of her creations have been featured on catwalks across Australia and are stocked exclusively for selected boutiques. Having a great interest in theatrical millinery, she has designed and created theatrical hats for performances. Note: All photographs displayed on this website is copyright.