No longer is a hat 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 recently won the best hat at the Dubai World Cup Millinery Award 2007. She was also invited attend “Mornings with Kerrie-Anne Kennerly” Show in May on Channel 9 as a guest milliner talking about her designs and the winning hat. The recent Gold Logie Winner, Kate Ritchie has also worn one of her wonderful creations at the last Spring Racing Carnival.

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.