2026 Design Award

Join Millinery Australia as we celebrate the 11th year of our Design Award competition.

The theme for this year’s Design Award is ‘ENCHANTED’

The 2026 Millinery Australia Design Award is open to all eligible members, with the exception of student members.

This year’s theme explores the intersection of nature, imagination and emotion, where reality softens and beauty feels touched by magic. Entrants are invited to interpret the theme in their own unique way, expressing their individual vision and design aesthetic.

Each design entry must: 

  • be created exclusively for this competition
  • not have previously featured in any social media campaigns or print media
  • be the milliner’s own original design
  • be made entirely by the entrant
  • be sent without any label, tag or mark that identifies the entrant (grounds for disqualification)

DETAILS

Cost of Entry

  • $105 (with option to purchase ‘behind the scenes’ photos / video)

Registration Open

  • Monday, March 9, 2026 at 9am

Registration Close

  • Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5pm

Entries Due

  • By close of business Friday, May 15, 2026 – late entries will not be accepted
  • All entries must be mailed – there is NO courier or local drop off option
  • Address will be provided to entrants upon registration

Judging

  • Monday, May 25, 2026

Judges

  • Sandra Forrester – Millinery Australia Hall of Fame
  • Catherine Kelly – Milliner / Associate Member
  • Todd Anthony – Stylist / PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival
  • Christie Lougoon – Event Producer / VRC

Photoshoot

  • Thursday, May 28, 2026
  • Richard Shaw – photographer
  • Model – dark brown hair, head fit 56cm

Wardrobe

  • scarlet
  • off white / ivory

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Top 10

  • Saturday, June 6, 2026 via Millinery Australia’s social pages and email

People’s Choice Voting

  • Monday, June 15 – Sunday, June 21, 2026

Winners

  • Announced at the Millinery Australia Gala Evening Friday, July 3, 2026
  • Results will be announced by static posts on Millinery Australia’s social pages
  • No ‘live’ feed from Gala

PRIZES

Prizes are not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash

Prizes must be claimed within 12 months (from July 2026)

  • FIRST PLACE – $1000 *additional prizes to be revealed
  • SECOND PLACE – $750 *more prizes currently being finalised
  • THIRD PLACE – $500 *further prizes to be confirmed
  • Patron’s Pick Award – Jonesy Badge *a highly coveted award
  • Photographer’s Pic Award – TBA
  • People’s Choice Award – TBA

IMPORTANT LINKS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Millinery Australia Student Award HERE
  • Millinery Australia Gala Evening HERE
  • Millinery Australia memberships HERE

G O O D  L U C K !