Profile: Annette Sanfilippo Millinery Art

With an impressive client list of Fashion on the Field winners, Annette Sanfilippo is well known for her award-winning bespoke headpieces and hats. This season alone Annette’s fabulous and unique creations have cleaned up at Fashions on the Field across Victoria. Not to mention her work being adorning by fashion forward celebrities such as Krista Vendy, Totti Goldsmith & Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

Annette Sanfilippo also has over 25 years experience in the fashion arena. She prides herself highly on creating beautiful couture head wear for any occasion including bridal, race wear, special occasion and costume.

And now even her daughter is getting in on the action, “Recently my daughter Isabella, who has her own definite take on style, took winner for the second year at Sandown Guineas Day and runner-up Blue Diamond Stakes” says Annette.

I spoke with the lovely Annette about how she began creating millinery, what inspires her and what her hot tips are for the these coming seasons…

When did you first start creating millinery pieces, and what attracted you to it?

Loving everything about fashion has ultimately led me to millinery.  I made my wedding party pieces because I couldn’t find what I was looking for.  My love of styling keeps me motivated to inspire appropriate headwear with some of today’s fabulous fashion.  I feel like I am contributing to special occasion dressing for everyone and there is a strong need for guidance by many. My work with an International label kick-started me into producing one off pieces to accompany their collections as conservative millinery did not marry well with it. I love the difference I make in people eyes and that keeps me going.  I have so many ideas but unfortunately not always a lot of time to create.

What training do you have and where did you obtain it?

I have been the go to girl forever.  All my friends growing up would get me to “finish them off” with their outfits from about the age of 12.  I started in fashion during university and had a strong love of textiles and design.  I opened a couture make to measure boutique in Melbourne in 1986 and was lucky to have inherited a couple of great mentor couturiers that shared their secrets.  Back then I had milliners working for me but mostly self taught…and still learning. I like to say “I do what I do” and that makes me and my clients very happy!  Each hat is a learning experience and it amazes me that I grow in different directions with every experience.

What is your inspiration for your pieces?

I have a major in Arts and have a love of the theatre; my mind is constantly in overload.  I am a drawer and have a strong passion for sustainability, so I like to think I can make anything into something.  Sometimes I generate my work from an idea but as I am usually on a time frame to get creative, I take a lot of inspiration from client’s fashion and personalities.  Beware if your game and flamboyant they are my favourite jobs!

How would you describe your particular style?

Feminine, romantic sculptural pieces that consider good form and balance with particular attention to back and front detail.

Do you have a favourite headpiece you have created and why?

I recently sold it…. reluctantly!  It was a stunning very lush and embellished piece that made you study it detail.  I called it my ‘Madame Pompadore’ and no matter whose head I placed it on it was a buzz to see the transformation of their personality.  It made people smile, dance, pose, laugh and wish they were on the stage.  Love it, its what a hat should do!

Can people customer order you pieces?

Yes, most of my work is couture, I get a bit involved in my clients outfits and styling to try and maximise their usage of the outfit and their pieces.  I am a bit old school in my thinking; client’s heads are my calling card so I don’t sell anything that doesn’t work!  Woman aren’t silly as much as they ask for advice they usually know if it works so its best if they are 100% happy. I love that most of them throw the outfit at me and say WHATEVER!!! I also love to dress or renovate existing hats for clients and do many vintage recreations.

What can we expect from you next season?

Not even I know.  My fashion writing allows me to keep up on all the future trends but there are so many that I like.  I usually pull out the one that is flying under the radar and try to give it a twist.  Sometimes trends are over saturated and it gets a bit spoiled before its time.  If you follow them too much you really have to escalate it to a new level and do it extremely well. I love keeping my work real for my clients giving them what they like as well.  At the end of the day it has to be wearable and practical. I hope I can deliver a few surprises.

Fashions on the Field is a whole different arena.  I have clients that are passionate and love entering and this keeps me having to stay on top of my game.  I love supporting them and it’s the best feeling seeing your work and the whole outfit come together on the day.

What are your predictions, if you have any, in millinery next year?

Fabulous attention to shape whether large or small.  A touch of the avant-garde mixing materials up and new and weird millinery products being introduced. I see height making a return and hats a little more organic in style but with a sexy feminine flair. Colour is wherever. Anything goes! Milliners are no longer stereotyped and so many are exploring new avenues. I think its time to shock the fashion world a little more, but in a good way!

Do you have any milliners you admire, who’s work your a fan of?

I don’t have a favourite. I give credit where it’s due and have found something I love from everyone over the years. We all grow and styles ever change and that’s what I love about fashion.  Inspiration can come from all around and it’s good that a milliner just doesn’t sit with one style. Stephen Jones attack on the industry is marvellous and I love anything he does.  I think he is one of the major movers that most look too.  Christian Dior makes you sit up and take notice with the designs. We seem to look to Europe for the next big thing but who do they look too?  I really believe that fashion goes full circle, we constantly give and take ideas until someone puts into 3D and that takes a bit of courage sometimes.

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So far this season Annette’s impressive list of winning clients includes:

• Winner Mornington Cup, second runner up Super Saturday Flemington and Runner up Caulfield Cup – Blanche Milford
• Winner Best male Mornington Cup – Hendrix
• Millinery Award Albury Cup – Dee Worrell
• Winner Pakenham Cup and third place Geelong Cup – Lauren Ellery,
• Second and third Cranbourne Cup – Bianca Barnes and Blanche Milford
• Second Stawell Cup – Elis Ng Crewes
• Second Bendigo Cup Millinery – Natalie Molsein

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If you would like to browse Annette’s work or contact her regarding having a bespoke piece created than please check out her website and Facebook page.