Top Melbourne milliner exits racewear following impact of COVID-19
She is one of Australia’s most celebrated milliners but Melbourne’s Jill Humphries will no longer be making head-turning racewear — and she has issued a grim warning on the future of the bespoke industry.
Fiona Byrne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fiona Byrne. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of Australia’s most celebrated milliners is stepping away from her racewear craft after the impact of COVID-19 wiped out her market.
Melbourne-based Jill Humphries, whose Millinery Jill label has been worn by the likes of Zara Tindall, Francesca Cumani, Rebecca Judd, Kate Waterhouse, Dannii Minogue, Robyn Lawley, and Natalie Imbruglia, confirmed on Friday she was wrapping up her racewear business and had closed her boutique, and would instead focus on creating daywear and casual hats.
With the Spring Racing Carnival forecasting minimal crowds at best, the market for bespoke racewear hats and headpieces is looking grim at best.
“It is an interesting time for all milliners,” Humphries said.
“We went from a strenuous millinery racing season last year then COVID-19 comes along. “Normally, at this time of the year I am finalising David Jones orders and working on the new season.
“There are no orders and no season in the foreseeable future.
“So after a little downtime, some home schooling, and a huge amount of reflection I have decided to remove myself from the current market and focus on a slower and more sustainable business.”
Humphries said she feared for others in Melbourne’s celebrated handcrafted millinery industry which relies heavily on the annual spend-a-thon that is the Spring Racing Carnival.
“I don’t see how milliners can survive on bespoke racewear at this time,” she said.
“It will come back, but I believe it will be a slow process.
“All the milliners that I have spoken to have found it tough. I don’t think there is one out there that I know of that COVID-19 hasn’t impacted dramatically and had them question their future.”
Humphries celebrated skill as a milliner won’t be lost to collectors of her stunning pieces as she pivots her business. Instead of racewear she plans to create new lines of stylish hats that can be worn daily.
“Melbourne is the capital of Australian style and so new fedoras and leather berets have emerged for those that want an investment piece for everyday,” she said.
“I have some wonderful fashion peers that have helped me to make this decision and we are all supporting each other with a new Melbourne style landscape that will emerge over the coming months.
“Racewear is my millinery roots and when it comes back I more than likely will come back with it but in a completely different way, possibly with a small capsule collection.”
Humphries said she hoped people would embrace bespoke fedoras and berets as a personal style statement and believed that hats should be as much a part of an outfit as a handbag or shoes.
“I wear hats everyday. They always make me feel completely dressed and taller,” she said.