It was wonderful to welcome Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne Sally Capp AO into my studio! Last year the Lord Mayor wore my piece the Sally beret during the Melbourne Cup Carnival Parade and it was lovely to be able to share some new pieces with her this year.
Text from The Lord Mayors Instagram
The Melbourne Cup is just around the corner, and our talented milliners and local designers are racing to the finish with stunning pieces just bound to turn heads. I visited Lauren J Ritchie’s studio in the Manchester Unity Building on Swanston Street, level 7, to learn all about her stunning designs, and I have selected her business as my Good News Story of the Week!
Lauren has been working out of this iconic building for the past 12 months, but has been a milliner for the past 12 years.
She says that working in the city was an obvious choice for her.
“I love being in the city, and that’s something that was definitely important to me when I was thinking about a space,” says Lauren.
“Being in the heart of Melbourne, with the Spring Racing Carnival being so prominent, the ability of someone to walk in and visit me, and have a one on one with me or have me help them with a custom piece was really important.”
Lauren has been dressmaking since she was very young, and has always loved making creative designs – a tradition that started with her grandmother.
She says the best part of her job is helping people feel their best in what they’re wearing.
“It’s exciting to see people’s outfits. What I love the most is when someone is wanting to finish off their outfit with something extra special, and they’re maybe not too sure to start off with, but I can help them find something that is just right.”
And as for trends at the Spring Racing Carnival this year, Lauren is a big fan of the boater.
“You can’t go past a brim. The boater is such a fantastic shape and really diverse.”
Thank you, Lauren, for your stunning work, and for choosing City of Melbourne as your headquarters!
Thank you so much to Sally and her team for their time, it was an honour to welcomwe you into my studio.