Public programs
Jo Gordon | Kiss of death 1994 | © V&A Images
Special events
In-conversation
11.30am Thursday 1 April | Cinema A, GoMA
Join Stephen Jones and Oriole Cullen, Curator of Modern Textiles and
Fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, for insights into
the exhibition.
In-conversation
12noon Sunday 6 June, Lecture Theatre, QAG
Milliner Richard Nylon discusses examples of his millinery in the ‘Hats’ exhibition with Miranda Wallace (Senior Curator, Exhibitions and Research)
Talking Hats
2.00-4.00pm Sundays 23 May – 27 June | Sculpture Courtyard, QAG
Join us for an exquisite Sunday afternoon tea with some of Brisbane’s leading fashionistas, designers and stylists as they discuss the art of millinery and more. Relax in the beautiful surrounds of the Gallery courtyard while enjoying delicious treats from the Watermall Café.
Everyone who attends Talking Hats is entitled to a 10% discount at the Hats Salon from 2.00-5.00pm on the day.
- 23 May | Kellie Alderman, Fashion and Beauty Editor, The Sunday Mail discusses design with Paula Kyle Walden innovative Brisbane jewellery and accessories designer
- 30 May | Amber Long (Director Jean Brown) and Nadia Buick (Fashion Curation PHD Candidate) will discuss the changing significance of the hat in fashion history and explore the relationship between milliners, their muses and fashion designers over the last centuries, including recent collaborations between designers such as Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy
- 6 June | Thea Basiliou, perennially stylish owner of nationally renowned boutique, Blonde Venus, talks fashion with some of our best, local emerging designers
- 13 June | Dale Olsson, owner of The Hat Box, shows us there’s a hat to suit everyone with tips on how to select the best hat to complement your colouring, face and figure type
- 20 June | Suzi Vaughan, fashion designer and academic, in conversation with her QUT Graduate students
- 27 June | Briellen Baker, Queensland Art Gallery's very own student milliner and Hats Salon identity talks about her design practice.
Lectures
The Australian Line
11.30am Thursday 8 April | Lecture Theatre, QAG.
Miranda Wallace (Senior Curator, Exhibitions and Research, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art) introduces visitors to the history of millinery in Australia.
Down Under: Rabbits, Hats and Other Artistic Confessions
2.00pm Friday 16 April | Cinema B, GoMA.
Stephen Hobson, artist and Lecturer in Art History, Queensland College of Art, draws upon his self portraiture since 2000 to explore the role of the hat in creating and challenging notions of identity. Hobson traces the mythological and cultural significance of the rabbit as a feminine symbol, and relates this to the history of the rabbit fur hat – in particular, the traditionally ‘masculine’ Australian Akubra hat.
Perspectives on Men's Headwear Design
2.00pm Saturday 15 May | Lecture Theatre, QAG.
With a 30-year career collaborating with leading Australian and international designers to create specialist headwear for the stage, screen and fashion industries, Sydney-based milliner Rosie Boylan discusses perspectives on men’s headwear design in fashion and film, drawing on her professional role as in-house principal Milliner and headwear stylist for the 2008 film Australia, and recent international research in Japan, Europe, United Kingdom and United States of America.
Tours
Guided tours
11.00am daily (excluding 2 April) | QAG
Meet your volunteer guide at the Melbourne Street information desk.
Auslan-interpreted tour for Deaf visitors
3.00pm Sunday 18 April | QAG
Meet your guide at the Melbourne Street information desk.
No bookings required.
Tour for hearing-impaired visitors
10.00am Friday 30 April | QAG
Assistive listening devices (FM System) are available for visitors with a hearing impairment. As the number of devices is limited, bookings are essential. To book, call the Education Bookings Office on (07) 3840 7255 between 8.30am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday, or send an email
Exhibition tour
12.00 noon Saturday 1 May | QAG
Enjoy a tour of ‘Hats’ with Miranda Wallace (Senior Curator, Exhibitions and Research, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art) focusing on several major pieces included in the exhibition.
My Gen 50+
Short Course: Millinery & Design
10.00am-12 noon Friday 30 April | QAG
Explore the fascinating world of millinery and design in a half-day program focusing on the ‘Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones’ exhibition. From haute couture design to the mass-produced, join local industry professionals for insights into the art of hats and design. Free. Bookings are required as spaces are limited. For bookings please email
- Hats in the making | 10.00–11.00am | Join textile conservator Michael Marendy and milliner Alexandra Harper for a behind-the-scenes look at the materials and techniques involved in millinery design
- A history of hats | 11.00am–12 noon | Tour the ‘Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones’ exhibition with Miranda Wallace (Senior Curator, Exhibitions and Research, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art)
