MELBOURNE: Milliners who rely on the spring racing season for a yearly income boost fought a fresh round of challenges this year.
In previous years, the threat of equine flu and the global economic crisis seriously affected sales. This year, it is tighter corporate entertainment budgets and competition from cheap, factory-produced hats that have proved difficult.
Milliner Melissa Jackson said in the past her clientele of professional women would be invited to attend a number of corporate race day celebrations and purchase a new hat for each event. This season, they had received fewer invitations or were opting to attend low-key private functions that did not require millinery.
Fellow milliner Paris Kyne said that after years of challenges to the industry, cheap, imported hats were proving a threat.
"To me a cheap alternative is not an alternative at all," he said.
To find out how milliners and boutiques selling racing carnival attire fared throughout the carnival season, pick up a copy of Ragtrader's November 6 issue.