2025 Student Award

Winner

Kelly Maskell ‘Graffiti & Grace’

Designed with a street wear aesthetic – using recycled jeans, zippers and intentionally sketchy artwork – this piece captures the essence of Melbourne’s streets.

Inspired by gritty lane ways with bold street art, serene garden spaces and timeless architectural icons glimpsed from a passing tram, it celebrates the layered character of the city.

The bright colours reference old Melway maps and the zippers represent the city tram tracks on the streets, symbolising the connections between iconic landmarks.

Second Place

Caroline Rayner ‘George’ 

George is a little boy who loves beautiful buildings. His eyes sparkle and he gives a little squeal whenever he sees a beautiful building. His school is a majestic Art Deco building which is the basis for my design.

The elaborate beading that represents the skyline, is a nod to the couture dresses of this era and the ribbon cockade, featured on many a felt cloche, is a skill I learned from Louise Macdonald.

Third Place

Pam Kelly ‘Melway’

Nineteen eighty three is the year I obtained my drivers’ licence and with that came the Melway Street Directory. A book of street maps that lived on the passenger seat next to the cassette box, its page corners folded for quick access.

These folded corners sparked the idea for my headpiece. In a nod to simpler times, a handmade Alice band supports wired “floating” origami flowers. The brightly coloured street map corners are folded into different sized flowers, each representing a favourite road trip.

I hope this piece makes you smile as memories of your road trips come flooding back.

Mary Lock Encouragement Award

Kylie Bannerman ‘Abbey Road’

Abbey Road – where music, movement and creativity cross paths.

Inspired by The Beatles’ legendary walk, this design plays with the road’s bold lines, adding an energetic twist that nods to fashion, music and history. The base and lining were hand-blocked, with plenty of intricate hand stitching to bring it all together. It’s a mix of classic cool and modern flair, celebrating a “street” that’s led generations into new waves of creativity.

Abbey Road isn’t just a place – it’s a vibe and I wanted my piece to capture that spark.

Alison Morgan Award

Kelly Maskell ‘Graffiti & Grace’

Student Winner

Prue Corlette ‘Driving South’

My piece is inspired by frequent autumn drives to the NSW southern highlands, where the highway is fringed with spectacular deciduous trees in all their glory.

I started with an original watercolour drawing, which I scanned and printed onto silk. These were then overpainted in various shades and fused to copper/silk organza. Then embroidered and beaded for some sparkle and tooled into shape.

The leaves were arranged as the colours change on the trees – reds at the top, segueing to greens below. A simple thermoplastic leather-covered base in dark grey references the shiny highway bitumen of a wet autumn day.

Kam Wong ‘Ibis in a Concrete Jungle’

This is inspired by the Australian Ibis.Abstract of the ibis wing wrapping around the hat – which is inspired by the street sculptures.

The Ibis represents intersection between nature and the urban street life. They maybe a pest but they are immovable symbol the nature is always there. Flourishing amongst the trash and dirtiness they were once a symbol of the Egyptian Gods. They walk the street to remind you that nature always exist.

Feathers are drawn and cut on laser cutting machine – no birds were harmed.

Elisa Buttworth ‘Oliver Twisted Newsboy Cap’

The ‘STREET’ theme reminded me of Dickens’ writing, he himself a child worker.

‘Oliver Twist’ vividly, yet empathically, portrays the hardships of life on the streets. Oliver escapes to the streets of London after repeated mistreatment. Through life on the streets Oliver is recognised and receives his due inheritance.

Not so long ago many boys sold newspapers on the streets and today, the streets are still a magnet for the disenfranchised. Hence, my Newsboy Cap, with holes, symbolising the wear and tear of a tough life on the streets.

Amanda Brason ‘The Rat Hat’

I frequently visited Bristol and was lucky enough to see Banksy’s original graffiti before he rose to global fame. I was particularly drawn to the mischievous rats that often appeared in his work, inspired by the Parisian Street artist Blek le Rat. These rats symbolise how they flourish in the discarded waste and rubbish hidden in back alleys and underground spaces.

My hat brings together two of Banksy’s iconic pieces: the rat-filled COVID bathroom installation and the Slave Labour mural.

Leona Donnelly ‘Lantern Light: A Glow from the Medina’

Inspired by the ornate street lanterns of Morocco, this piece reflects the warmth, pattern and ambience of evening cityscapes.

I used layered materials and fine detailing to mirror the glow and shadows cast by traditional Moroccan lights. The design blends cultural elegance with modern millinery to create a softly illuminated statement.

Kathryn Williams ‘Rural Street’

Thinking about the ‘STREET’ theme I wanted explore ideas outside the urban world and create a hat inspired by the raw spirit of the outback .

My ‘Rural Street’ design integrates rural Australian spirit with contemporary streetwear aesthetics, using traditional techniques to create a hat that is both contemporary and functional.

I used a combination of steam blocking, hand-stitching construction to allow flexibility and wearability, while celebrating the cultural commentary of rural life.

Lou Kubibki ‘Melbourne Meanderer’

My inspiration was Melbourne Autumn – cool, crisp mornings warmed by sunlight streaming through amber oak leaves.

To reflect the theme of ‘STREET’ I drew on the city’s affinity for dark tones, edgy fashion and androgynous styling. This hat’s street style blends chic and casual, offering a bold, distinctive piece that pairs effortlessly with everyday staples like jeans, boots and an oversized coat.

Versatile and stylish, the hat transitions seamlessly from sipping morning lattes in Melbourne’s laneways, to martinis on the bank of the Yarra at dusk.

Richard Domingo ‘Punk Glam Mohawk’

Inspired by punk and glam androgynous street style of the 80’s, I always wanted to sport a giant mohawk.

Using feathers sewn onto a wire frame to hold the shape and form, adorned with beads of skulls, spikes and stones along with buttons and safety pins for the the hardware plus black lace for the headband.