“I COULDN’T buy a fancy hat that fit, since I have a large head size, and so started making my own.” That sums up how local designer Barbara Mickelson started making highly creative headwear that has seen her internationally recognised for her work, with several awards picked up in competitions here and in NZ.

Barbara owns BMdesigns and the hats and vintage-inspired pieces she creates are designed to be noticed.

“I love the theatre of hats,” she says, “and have always worn them when in the mood.”

As with many local fashion designers, Barbara graduated with a Bachelor of Design (Fashion) from the Canberra Institute of Technology (2005). She entered CIT to learn more about design processes and pattern making. Since then she’s taken intense courses through the Textile Fibre Forum in millinery, felting and shibori, a traditional Japanese method of dying fabric that involves folding, wrapping, stitching and clamping fabric to dye it and create texture in it.

Barbara applies the shibori method with polyester to create thermoplastic fabrics with volume that she uses for some of her outstanding headwear pieces. After dying, Barbara often edges fabric with wire to create sculptural pieces that can be draped and manipulated into stunning headwear and works of art.

While some of the headware created through BMdesigns looks heavy, awkward and difficult to wear, the opposite is true. The fabrics used, such as silk, are deceptively light and pieces are designed for total comfort and to work with most hairstyles.

For the first time, Barbara will showcase a new collection in a major fashion event. She has been accepted to participate in this year’s Fashfest, to be held at Majura Park, April 29-May 3.

“It’s both exciting and a bit nerve wracking to participate in such a large event,” says Barbara, “but I just know my work will create a buzz.”

Part of the collection she will present on the runway at Fashfest is the vintage-inspired pieces she designs and hand makes in hand-dyed silk, silk velvet and vintage fabrics, prettied up with vintage buttons, ribbon and lace.

She constructs pieces using blocked shapes and wire, which means she can manipulate and fine tune each one for an individual head fitting. Barbara then covers the pieces in fabric and trims accordingly. Because Barbara handles all dying, she can match a hat perfectly to any outfit.

And who are Barbara’s clients?

“They include those who love glamorous racewear and I have a strong following in the burlesque world and with those who adore the vintage look,” she says.

“But fashion in Canberra is changing and becoming more quirky with more people interested in wearing something unique. I now have clients who approach me just because they want to go out and make more of a statement through headwear.”

Barbara has competed and won awards in wearable art competitions in Australia and NZ and has twice presented her creations on stage at the prestigious International World of Wearable Art event in Wellington.

Fashfest, April 29-May 3. Tickets at fashfest.com.au