I’m a milliner creating under my own brand, MICHAETT — a name that combines my first name, Michaela, with the Old English word “hæt,” meaning hat.

I trained under the guidance of Hana Hnilicková, a Czech milliner who spend most of her professional career working in the Netherlands, where she build her reputation for traditional craftsmanship.

I opened my first atelier in Prague exactly ten years ago, and that’s where my journey as an independent milliner truly began.

 Yes — I knew from the moment I made my very first hat. It was for my grandmother, who had also been a milliner, so there was a deep emotional connection to the craft from the very beginning.

Creating that piece didn’t feel like trying a hobby — it felt natural, almost like continuing something that was already part of me. Seeing her wear it was incredibly powerful, and that was the moment I realised millinery wasn’t just something I loved, but something I was meant to do professionally.

It was an indescribable feeling. When someone well-known or from high society walks into your studio, it gives you a quiet confirmation that you must be doing something right — people at that level choose very carefully.

At the same time, it brings a huge sense of responsibility. These clients expect not only beauty, but precision, discretion, and absolute quality. That experience grounded me deeply in the importance of detail. It reinforced what my mentor Hana always told me — everything is about the detail. In the world of true craftsmanship and luxury, nothing is small, and every element matters.

My signature style is rooted in elegance without excess — I truly believe that less is more. I’m drawn to clean lines, balanced proportions, and pieces that feel refined rather than overworked.

When I opened my studio in Bowral, I went through a brief experimental phase, exploring bolder ideas as I adjusted to a new audience. But that process actually brought me back to my core. I realised that understated elegance is where I feel most at home — it’s what I love to create, and what I naturally wear myself.

Love brought me to Australia — I moved here for my now husband. It was a big life change, but also a beautiful new chapter, both personally and creatively.

Bowral immediately felt close to my heart because it reminds me of Europe. It’s green, calm, and has a certain charm and sense of refinement. The people here are warm, and many have a genuine interest in fashion and personal style, which makes it a lovely place to create and connect through my work.

 This felt like the right place because it truly inspires me. Being close to nature helps me reset whenever creative pressure or stress builds — it gives me space to breathe and think clearly.

I also value the sense of community here. In a smaller town, connections feel more genuine and personal, and that closeness creates a supportive environment to grow both as a designer and as a person. It feels balanced — creatively, emotionally, and professionally.

Bowral and the Southern Highlands are a wonderful fit for my work because of their location and atmosphere. Being positioned between major cities is ideal — I already have clients in Canberra, so it’s an easy journey for them, and I regularly travel to Sydney for inspiration and industry connections.

It means I stay connected to vibrant fashion environments while working in a calm, beautiful setting. I don’t lose time in constant travel, and that balance allows me to focus on craftsmanship while remaining part of the wider style conversation.

My studio is located on Station Street, right next to the Milk Factory Gallery. I fell in love with the space because of its rustic, old-world workshop character — it has warmth, texture, and a sense of history that feels perfectly aligned with hand craftsmanship.

I wanted to create more than just a place to buy a hat. The studio is designed to feel calm and welcoming, where clients can slow down, feel comfortable, and truly be part of the process. Choosing shapes, materials, and details becomes a shared creative journey, so each piece carries not only craftsmanship, but also a personal story.

When someone books a consultation with me, they’re stepping into a truly bespoke process. Creating a custom hat takes time — both for me and for the client — because every detail is considered carefully.

I always begin with questions: What is the occasion? What do they enjoy wearing, and what do they avoid? From there, we choose a shape that flatters their face, a material and colour that complement their skin tone, and details that work harmoniously with their outfit. Trims and finishing touches are selected together, so the design evolves in a very personal way.

For clients who need something sooner, the process can of course be quicker — sometimes they fall in love with a piece that’s already finished. That’s why I also keep a selection of ready-made hats in the studio.

A hat bought off the shelf is usually a finished decision — you choose what already exists. With bespoke millinery, the piece is created for you, not simply chosen by you.

The difference lies in fit, proportion, and intention. I would never let a client leave with a hat that doesn’t suit them or sit correctly. My work carries my name, so it’s built on trust, long-term relationships, and care. If something needs adjusting — whether the fit, comfort, or a small repair over time — I’m here. That ongoing support is part of the service.

It’s also a philosophy of slow fashion. A bespoke hat isn’t just a purchase; it’s a collaboration and an investment meant to last. Having your own milliner is a bit like having your own tailor — it’s personal, considered, and made around you.

Horse racing has definitely kept millinery visible, but for me, hats belong in everyday life. I couldn’t truly love what I do if I didn’t wear my pieces myself. I love fashion, and to me, an outfit without a hat feels unfinished — like stepping out without shoes.

But beyond style, especially here in Australia, hats are also practical. The sun is strong, and skin protection is a real concern, so learning to incorporate a hat into daily dressing makes sense both aesthetically and functionally. A hat can be effortless, elegant, and protective at the same time — it doesn’t have to be reserved only for special events.

I hear that all the time — right after, “But where would I wear it?” Most women come to that conclusion after trying hats in regular stores, where fit and proportion are rarely personalised. It’s actually more surprising when a hat from a shelf truly suits someone and sits correctly.

In my studio, the process is completely different. We explore different crown shapes and brim widths, because proportions in relation to the face and body are essential. Then colour plays a huge role — the right shade can completely transform how a hat works with a woman’s complexion and overall look.

That’s why I find it hard to imagine a woman leaving a milliner with a hat that doesn’t suit her. When a hat is chosen thoughtfully and designed around the person, there truly is a hat for every woman.

The price depends on the style and complexity of the hat, as each bespoke piece is individually designed and handcrafted. Generally, bespoke hats by Michaett start from around $400, with the final price reflecting the materials, level of detail, and time involved in the making process.

Beyond the practical benefits, a hat is a statement. Whether it’s a formal piece or a casual style, a hat always communicates something. When you wear one, people notice — not in an overwhelming way, but in a way that signals presence and confidence.

I experience this myself all the time. People often compliment my look, even when I feel I’m wearing something quite simple. The difference is the hat — it speaks before I do. Naturally, I stand a little taller, feel more put together, and my mood shifts. The right hat doesn’t just complete an outfit; it changes how you carry yourself.

Personal style plays a very important role in my design process. Every milliner has a distinct aesthetic, and that naturally attracts women whose style resonates with that vision.

My own approach to elegance, proportion, and restraint influences the shapes I prefer, the way I work with colour, and how I balance detail. Clients come not only for a hat, but because they connect with that visual language. In that sense, personal style becomes a quiet dialogue between the designer and the woman wearing the piece.

1. Always consider the occasion and the weather. Context matters. The material of the hat should reflect the season — even during spring racing, a cold day calls for felt or fabric-covered styles rather than light summer pieces.

2. Choose the right material first. Material sets the tone. Fur felt or structured fabrics feel appropriate in cooler weather, while straw and lighter weaves belong to warmer days.

3. Focus on proportion. The size of the crown and brim should balance your face shape and overall silhouette — a hat should feel harmonious, not overpowering.

4. Let the hat complement, not compete. It should elevate the outfit, not shout over it. You should still be seen first — your personality is the focus.

5. Comfort is essential. If a hat doesn’t sit properly or feels unstable, you won’t wear it with confidence.

6. When in doubt, go simpler. Elegance often comes from restraint. A well-shaped, well-fitted hat will always look more sophisticated than something overly decorated.

European millinery often leans toward a quieter kind of statement. The design can still be bold, sculptural, or colourful, but there is usually a sense of restraint in how elements are combined. The focus tends to be on refined shapes, interesting textures, and subtle detailing rather than strong decoration alone.

It’s not about being less expressive — it’s about balance and finish. Even when a piece is dramatic, it often feels effortless rather than loud. There’s a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and materials, which gives hats a sense of depth and sophistication.

I think Australian style is wonderfully confident and joyful, especially in racing culture, and European influence simply offers another perspective — one that plays more with understatement and nuance.

Judging Fashions on the Field at Bong Bong was a fascinating experience for me. It gave me a much deeper perspective on how Australian women approach race-day style — there’s confidence, creativity, and a wonderful willingness to have fun with fashion.

One thing that stood out to me, though, was how often the weather isn’t fully considered when choosing headwear. In millinery, material and season are just as important as design, and that’s something I’m very conscious of in my own work.

Being a judge is also very different from simply observing. When you have to choose from a small group of finalists, you feel a responsibility to look for balance — proportion, cohesion, and timeless elegance alongside creativity. I found myself naturally drawn to looks that felt complete and harmonious rather than just striking at first glance.

I hope to connect with the local community through both my work and the experiences my clients have in the studio. Word of mouth is very powerful in a place like this, and personal recommendations mean a lot to me.

I’m also focusing on creating inspiring videos on my Instagram, where I show how to wear, combine, and style hats in an approachable way — always through my own personal aesthetic and how I would wear them myself.

I’d love to be an example that hats aren’t only for special occasions. They can be part of everyday dressing, and my goal is to make women feel comfortable, confident, and inspired to include them in their daily style.

Wearing a beautiful, well-made hat is part of who I am. It’s not something I put on just for occasions — it has become part of my identity and how I move through the world.

At the same time, it’s also part of my work. I wear my hats to understand them fully — how they feel, how they sit, how they hold, and how people respond to them. Each one has its own personality, and by living in them, I learn something new every time.

For me, a hat is never just an object. It’s an experience, a mood, and a quiet form of expression.

My studio works by appointment only, so the best way to get in touch is through my website, where you’ll find a contact form. This allows me to dedicate proper time and attention to each client and maintain a personal, bespoke experience.

People can also connect with me and follow my work on Instagram at @michaett_hats, where I share styling inspiration and studio updates.

Locally, I’m currently collaborating with the boutique Sandy Short Style, where clients can find my hats and pair them with a complete outfit, making the styling process seamless and inspiring.