About Lauren Ritchie

Milliner Lauren Ritchie is wearing a gold boater and purple jumpsuit she is standing at a counter in a teal room

Lauren J Ritchie creates quality millinery hats and headpieces for race days, special occasions, day wear and theatre.

Lauren Ritchie began her millinery career with millinery training at Kangan Batman Institute with a Certificate IV in Millinery and a Bachelor of Fashion Design from RMIT.  She went on to work for world-renowned Milliner Louise Macdonald and spent time working for royal milliner Jane Taylor London and leading couture millinery expert Edwina Ibbotson while living in London before returning to Melbourne, Australia.

Lauren J Ritchie Millinery launched her first independent collection in 2020 titled Warby Winter inspired by the North East Region of Victoria where she spent most of the year during the lockdown restrictions.   She has gone onto create collections of hats, fascinators and headpieces focus towards Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse and race days around Australia and the world. 

Lauren is a leader in the millinery industry as an editor and content creator for The Hat Magazine and previously Hatlines. As head of content for Millinery.Info Lauren produces the monthly podcast series with milliners from across the globe and this year stepped to the other side of the microphone and was interviewed by a fellow milliner to share her industry insights. 

In 2021 she was elected to the role of President of Millinery Australia with a focus of looking towards the future of millinery locally and across the globe and served in the role for two years.

Lauren has created many pieces for Competitions around the world including winning the Backyard Ascot Competition hosted by Millinery Hub in 2020.  She has been selected as a Top 10 Finalist in the Millinery Australia Design Award two years running, receiving the Packing Room Prize in 2024 and in 2023 was award second place in the Dutch Hat Association Competition. 

She has had the honour to have pieces worn by Lord Mayor Sally Capp, VRC Ambassador Crystal Kimber and Illustrator Alexandra Nea. Find your next piece of millinery in the latest collection or make a time to chat with Lauren in person at the studio in the Manchester Unity Building on Collins Street or online.