Catherine Ellen owns and runs The Essential Hat, a predominantly ladies hat shop in Melbourne, Australia which has been open for over 20 years. Catherine and her team make made-to-measure, one-off hats for individuals by designing to the customer’s event, personality and budget. She sells hats made by studio milliners from Australia and Europe. The Essential Hat is open all year round, six days a week.

Catherine also founded the Melbourne International Millinery Competition, which takes place in February each year.

Download Issue 148 to find out more about Catherine Ellen.