Crowning glory: Maya Kalan puts the final touches to one of her creations, modelled by Emma Thomas from Martin Hall Hair Dressing.. Picture: Rob Carew
THERE'S never a quiet time for Glen Waverley's Maya Kalan, especially during the Spring Carnival season.
From the beginning of June every year, Ms Kalan gets dozens of orders for her sought-after hats and things don't slow down after the Melbourne Cup.
"After the cup carnival, then interstate ones start," she says, referring to the country races. "Right through the year, I'm busy."
Ms Kalan was trained at the Melbourne School of Fashion and qualified as a milliner in 1995. Her business, Maya Kalan Millinery, has been successful both in Australia and overseas after numerous Fashion On the Field wins.
It takes about a week for Ms Kalan to make one of her trademark creations.
"I'm famous for big hats," she quips.
First, she has her customers bring in their outfit, shoes, handbag and jewellery, and she accounts for the shape of a client's face.
On average, Ms Kalan makes about 60 hats a year. Last year, one of her creations won fashions on the field at the Caulfield Guineas.
Despite how much she works, it is certainly not a chore. "My passion is hats."