From the Workroom to the Runway
From late nights in the workroom to the spotlight of the runway, my Ravishing Fashionistas journey was one of creativity, collaboration, and courage—woven together with joy.
A burst of yellow flowers taking flight—millinery as sculpture, paired with Kelly Fraser’s vibrant handbag.
The anticipation had been building for months. Every late night in my workroom, every feather and fold of fabric, carried me closer to the moment when my designs would step into the spotlight at the 2025 Ravishing Fashionistas Runway Show in Brisbane. My workroom truly saw more of me than my bed in those final weeks. Collaborating with handbag designer Kelly Fraser brought a special joy—our conversations sparked endless ideas, each one pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
For me, millinery is not drawn on paper. My visions live in my mind and pour through my hands, shaping into form as though guided by their own rhythm. To see those ideas brought to life on stage was more than fashion—it was an affirmation of creativity, courage, and connection.
But before the lights and the runway, came the quiet work of bringing vision into form…
Behind the Scenes: Preparation & Vision
The months leading up to the show were an intricate dance of patience and persistence. Every design began as a whisper in my mind, then slowly revealed itself through fabric, wire, and unexpected materials. Some days the process felt effortless; on others, I wrestled with materials that refused to bend to my will. Yet, there was always magic in the making.
Working alongside Kelly was a highlight of this journey. We spent countless hours sharing thoughts, refining ideas, and encouraging each other to dream bigger. Her handbags and my headwear became a dialogue in design—each piece complementing and elevating the other.
Behind the scenes—the quiet work of shaping, stitching, and bringing vision into form.”
The Night of the Show
The evening itself was electric. Backstage hummed with energy—models, designers, and stylists all moving in a rhythm that only a runway show can hold. When the lights rose and the first model stepped out in one of my pieces, time seemed to pause. Ten designs, each carrying a piece of my soul, graced the stage in turn.
From delicate, sculptural silhouettes to bold statements that demanded attention, each headpiece came alive under the runway lights. Watching them glide across the stage, framed by the music and applause, was both surreal and humbling.
And in the audience, there was my husband, Stephan. His presence grounded me, reminding me of the countless ways he supports not only my work, but me. Seeing his proud smile as the final look closed the show was a moment I will always hold close.
A glimpse of the runway—each headpiece carrying its own rhythm of form, colour, and expression.
Reflections After the Runway
As the applause faded and the lights dimmed, I carried with me more than memories of a show. I carried the affirmation that creativity has a life of its own—it is meant to be shared, seen, and celebrated.
The feedback I received afterwards filled me with gratitude. People spoke of the life, joy, and uniqueness they felt in my designs. That, more than anything, affirmed why I create. Millinery is my language, my way of adding beauty to the world, and moments like these remind me to keep speaking it boldly.
Celebrating the night with family, friends, and clients—the true joy beyond the runway.
What lingers after the show is more than memory — it is the certainty that creativity thrives when shared. Collaboration, love, and courage wove themselves into every design, and those threads remain long after the runway lights fade. May it remind us all that when we dare to create boldly, we step closer to our truest selves.
Credits
With gratitude to the incredible team behind the 2025 Ravishing Fashionistas Runway Show:
Millinery: Anél Heyman Designs
Handbags: Kelly Fraser
Production: Ravishing Fashionistas
Concept creator: Upma Kite
Photography: AKP Photography
Models: Nadia, Aurora, Sophie, Deb, Zavannah, Lisa, Fi, Jayme, Tasma & Savannah.
“How a hat makes you feel is what a hat is all about.”
~ Philip Treacy