Page 32 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - Page 33
Fashionable Porch Thoughts with milliner Peter Jago A Day At The Races
■ Keeping pace with award-winning milliner Peter Jago around the Caulfield Race Course may be comparable to trying to muster a competitive stride beside the likes of Black Caviar. And just like Caulfield's shining star, Peter is equally one of a kind and is streaks ahead on the fashion field. Fondly referred to as Australia's mad hatter, Peter is a passionate person who delights in entertaining the public whilst informing and educating them about currency of fashion. With his clever use of wit, and his personal style to transfer seasonal forecasts and fashion trends, Peter is a true gift-horse to millinery, and just like Black Caviar, he is a true standout and crowd favourite, that often sees him rewarded with another winning photo finish to proudly hang in his ever-growing hall of fame.
Mark Richardson Porch Thoughts
♥
Straight From The Heart
E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au
Why have you invited me to Caulfield, as 'your porch?' It represents art deco glamour and I love looking over the oak laden gardens surrounding the track, as the oak tree is in the Jago Coat of Arms. Also, it is originally housed the Australian racing museum, which is of course, patronised by Her Majesty the Queen. It was promoted and conceived by Lady Clarke.
● Donna Tricarico
● Caulfield Members Committee Room lift operator Margaret Hayes escorts Peter's manager Donna Elliott and Peter Jago to his ‘Porch’
● Michael Tricarico
What do you do 'on your porch' at Caulfield? I like to perform like a Queen Bee pollinating the Caulfield members’ committee room with positive energy and refined manners. The role as an ambassador of the racing industry, the interactive relationship; one minute I'm introducing a sporting star to a media personality and then introducing them to an icon of the national and international racing industry. You are considered by many to be a walking canvas. What have you painted for racegoers today? As a thematic, I've presented the look at Crown Towers exclusive Club 23 to match the ebonised elegance and art deco proportions of Australia's greatest racing legend since Phar Lap - Black Caviar. As far as I'm concerned, the horse is a sacred animal. Have you experienced a last minute fashion melt-down? Many, many things can happen all of a sudden. One year while dressing a model before Carson Kressley, I had silver-foiled dried lotus leaves and a gust of wind ripped through the hat pin holding the delicate layers together. You have to rally when these things happen, and as I'm the Queen of everything, I put French pins to anchor each layer, but I did not recover. Something always arises to tempt fate, it is better to be prepared or at least be prepared to have a sense of humour about it. Apart from your glamourous attire, the talk on your porch today is all about 2012 being the year of the Water Dragon. At the races how will the Water Dragon influence your designs? This year is very auspicious for me as my business logo is the Eastern Water Dragon. As I am a water sign, in the house of Scorpio we love the
● Black Caviar crosses the Caulfield finish line
● Peter Jago: would love to design for US First Lady Michelle Obama exotique the bizarre, the bazaar and animalia. Everything I will do this year has to be luxe. Everything I touch will turn to luxury. Who is your most memorable client and why? I could write a book about the memories. But the client that touched me, not least for her sensual naughtiness, was Rachel Griffiths.
● Nine Network News presenter Jo Hall and Peter Jago
She not only offered to pay up front, but suggested that she'd line her own hat that year as she saw I was under the pump. I was flabbergasted by her decorum and humility. Truly, truly, truly, I have an extraordinary array of the most delicious clientele who all offer a unique and memorable moment. I just adore creating couture and designing a headpiece, head-dress or hat that not only enhances their features and inner beauty but makes them feel like a million-dollar movie star all day at the racetrack. Who would you most like to design for and why? I would love to design for Michelle Obama; she has more style, brains and integrity than any of her predecessors since Jackie Kennedy. I think she would be hysterical fun to work with. I would like to design for Princess Mary because she's ours. She has the poise and grace of motherhood and is a flawless ambassador for modern royalty as is the new Duchess of Cambridge, who respects the silhouette of fashion. Last but not least, closer to home, I'd love to create something spectacular but simple for the eloquent Quentin Bryce, our Governor General.
● Nine Network publicist Terry Stuart with Ricky Stables
● Hawthorn Football Club's Danielle Riley spots Peter Jago in the crowd
There are fascinators and hatinators. To you, in 2012, what would be the perfect Jagonator? In 2012 the perfect Jagonator started its embryonic development in September last year, when I conceived my first exclusive boutique collection for Mimco. These were perfected for comfort; the ephemeral delicate headpieces will still sit on a bandeau lined in velvet plush. But this year they will be enhanced by the transparent delicacy of arabesque line and the return of the paisley print. Is the future of millinery in good shape in Australia? If I have any say in it, and I'd like to think I do, absolutely! It will flourish with show-stopping, jaw-dropping style. Suiting our Australian climate 35 degrees one minute, hail the next, always challenging the milliner, is the wind. As I was trained after my apprenticeship with the Australian Opera Costumiers, Jean Carroll became my millinery guide and mentor. Jean retired a few weeks ago, at 89 years young. She is already decorated with an Order of Australia and I recently had the honour of presenting her into the Australian Millinery Association's Hall of Fame award. I understand you're a busy man, what's next for the Jagonator? There will be no 'off-season'- we will be taking our creations off shore and creating presence for Australian Fashion and Design on the international level. We're headed to Royal Ascot, Abu Dahbi, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kentucky. Being a fashion ambassador is busy, and exciting work. If you could invite anyone in the world to your porch who would it be and why? Cate Blanchett, because she is Australia's greatest living actress. Better Middler, because she's the campest woman in the world. Grace Jones and Madonna because simply, they're just entertaining, and Elton John and David Furness simply because they've done more for gay rights for than anyone else in the world. What can't you live without on your porch? I can't live without friends, fashion, food and French champagne.
● Bev Reid, Amanda Cattanach, Peter Jago, Jackie Cattanach ● Diane Christensen and Donna Elliott Photos by MHB Photography and Brian Knight Photography
What is your porch thought of the day? I always recall everything said or done - I have a photographic mind for detail. So, be kind, civil and gracious. - Mark Richardson
Off The Porch
● Bob Richardson 3WBC's 94.1 FM presenter Rob Richardson is currently off his Melbourne Porch touring many cities in the USA. I made comment to Rob that if I had a dollar for every place he stopped that wasn't on his 'road trip' itinerary, I would make the equivalent donation to the charity of his choice upon his return. Rob's photos are flooding in daily. Rob's USA adventures can heard each Monday from 2pm with Yvonne Lawrence and John Farmer. Rob's Off The Porch Thought: "The buck never stops with me."
● Renae Mockler Melbourne singing sensation Renae Mockler has officially signed to perform Cloud Nine Fold Up as a duet with my 'partner in rhyme' - Matt Tennant. Part 2 of 'behind the scenes making of Cloud Nine Fold Up now featuring Renae performing with Matt can be seen on facebook.com/ marks.heart Renae's Off The Porch Comment: "I am actually on cloud nine and thrilled I am off my Porch rehearsing to record another Mark and Matt song."