As Featured in ' ERA ' Magazine - Celebrating 20 Years of Millinery
The House of Hats is truly honored to be featured in ERA Magazine celebrating 20 years of millinery!
We’re thrilled to share the full article, which dives into our journey, the heart of our business, and features beautiful shots of our hats from our “ LE CHAPEAUX “ collection.
A huge thanks to Eleanor for a stunning issue! we’re incredibly grateful for the recognition—head over to ERA magazine to order your copy and enjoy the full story!
Reviving The Boudoir Cap
Bringing the Boudoir Cap Back, the House of Hats Way
At The House Of Hats, Antique fashion has never been something to admire from a distance.
For over two decades, our work has been guided by a love of timeworn beauty — lace softened by age, hand-finished details, silhouettes shaped by another era. These are the pieces that whisper rather than shout. The ones that carry history in their threads. The ones that feel alive.
It was only natural that the boudoir cap would find its way home here.
Once an essential part of a woman’s private wardrobe, the boudoir cap belonged to the intimate rituals of everyday life. Worn in bedrooms and dressing rooms, it was crafted from lace, silk, crochet, and chiffon — practical in purpose, poetic in presence. It existed beyond trends, created not to be seen, but to be felt.
Our love of antique fashion is what drew us back to this forgotten piece and our inspiration began the moment we found an original 1920s boudoir cap—so delicate and full of feminine charm.
That’s how our reimagined boudoir caps were born.
Antique Spirit, Modern Wearability
At The House of Hats, we reimagine the boudoir cap with a modern sensibility — preserving its romance while making it effortlessly wearable for today. Each cap is handcrafted using antique and vintage laces, ribbons and flowers chosen for their softness, irregularity, and quiet character. No two are ever the same.
The silhouettes are light, draped, and unstructured. Designed to sit comfortably on the head, they feel natural rather than precious — something you reach for instinctively, not something you save.
These boudoir caps are made to be lived in.
Wear one in the morning while the house is still quiet. Slip it on with a floaty dress, a silk slip, or unexpectedly with jeans and a knit. Let antique lace become part of your everyday wardrobe — not as costume, but as comfort.
Romance, Reclaimed
As dreamy, antique-inspired fashion returns — lace, softness, and slow beauty finding their way back into modern wardrobes — the boudoir cap becomes a quiet symbol of this shift. A reminder that femininity does not need an occasion, and beauty does not need permission.
By bringing back the boudoir cap in our own wearable way, The House of Hats invites antique fashion out of the past and into the present — where it belongs.
Because the most enduring kind of elegance is the kind you carry with you — softly, daily, and entirely your own.
Lace headwear trends are making waves in 2026, making the Edwardian and antique lace fashion revival more relevant and on-trend than ever
We invite you to explore our boudoir cap collection, thoughtfully handcrafted from antique lace and designed for modern wear.
Shop our collection of Boudoir caps now..
Our ‘ ROSEBUD ‘ Lace Boudoir Cap
Our ‘ LACE SERENITY ‘ Lace Cp
Happy 20th Birthday The House Of Hats
This year marks 20 Years since The House of Hats began — and even writing that sentence feels surreal.
What started as a small creative dream has grown, changed, paused, reinvented itself, and somehow endured through every season of my life. Businesses don’t usually last this long, especially creative ones, and especially ones built slowly, by hand, with heart rather than hype.
Twenty years ago, I began making hats because I loved them — the romance, the history, the craftsmanship, the quiet confidence a beautiful hat gives to the person wearing it. I never imagined how deeply intertwined this business would become with my life, or how many chapters it would quietly witness.
Over the years, The House of Hats has lived in studios, spare rooms, shopfronts, arcades, market stalls, and now online. It has survived economic downturns, personal upheavals, moves between cities and states, changing trends, changing bodies, changing priorities — and it’s still here.
That alone feels worth celebrating.
This brand grew as I grew.
It evolved as my taste evolved.
It slowed down when I needed to slow down.
There were times when I chased momentum, and times when I learned that rest and refinement mattered more. There were collections, commissions, bridal pieces, couture moments — and now, a gentler return to wearable, everyday hats made slowly, one at a time, with intention.
I no longer believe a business has to be loud to be successful. Or constant. Or exhausting.
I believe in longevity.
I believe in craftsmanship.
I believe in making beautiful things that last.
Thank you for being here..
If you’ve ever worn one of my hats, supported my work, followed along quietly, or checked in over the years — thank you. Truly.
Small businesses don’t survive 20 years without real people on the other side. Your support has meant more than you probably realise, especially during the harder chapters.
As The House of Hats steps into its third decade, it does so with more clarity, more softness, and more trust than ever before. This is a quieter era. A slower one. But one rooted deeply in experience, skill, and love for the craft.
Here’s to 20 years of hats, stories, reinvention —
and to whatever the next chapter holds 🤍👒👒👒
Toowoomba City Store - COMING SOON
The House of Hats Toowoomba City – COMING SOON! ✨
I’m absolutely thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of my new boutique next month, nestled within the beautiful Australia Arcade on Ruthven Street. 🖤
Step inside and discover an exquisite collection of hats & headwear, decadent bridal accessories, and hand-curated vintage clothing — each piece imbued with timeless elegance and a whisper of old-world glamour.
I cannot wait to welcome you in person...
With love,
Ilana x 👒
HAT SALE - Enjoy up to 20%
Hi Hat Lovers,
As you already know we’ve moved to Queensland and we are overflowing with hats in our new studio so we though it would be a great time to have a hat sale on selected current ready made hats, accessories & vintage hats..
Enjoy up to 20% off, head over to our online shop to shop now….
Thank you all for supporting our small business
Happy Winter with love,
Your Milliner
Ilana Xx
Goodbye Sydney
🕰️ FAREWELL SYDNEY 👋
After a lifetime in Sydney… I’m moving
Born and raised here, this city has shaped every part of me. It’s where I fell in love with vintage fashion, taught myself to sculpt hats by hand, had two retail shops and where The House of Hats came to life.
But life is shifting, and like the song says… “The rest is still unwritten.”
I’m packing up my little showroom and heading to Queensland to begin a brand new chapter. It’s emotional and a little overwhelming, but also full of hope, growth, possibility and big dreams...
To all the beautiful clients who stepped through my Sydney doors — thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ll be sharing the journey as it unfolds, and I hope you’ll keep walking with me.
Here’s to trusting the unknown, starting fresh, and letting the next chapter write itself 💫
See you on the other side
BY THE SEASIDE - Our SS23/24 Collection
The House Of Hats Newest Collection….’ BY THE SEASIDE ‘ is here just in time for summer.. Step into a world of timeless charm and elegance.
Get ready to elevate your summer style with The House of Hats latest collection of stunning handcrafted hats!
Made from only the finest material and inspired by the timeless fashion of the 1930s our new collection is the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.
Offering nine new original handcrafted styles exclusive to our brand each delicate piece has been expertly handcrafted in our Sydney Studio by renowned Milliner Ilana Meilak, ensuring that every hat is of the highest quality and designed to last.
We’ve added our signature style of adding vintage trims and buckles to this collection to keep it authentic to the era.
Whether you’ve looking for a stylist for a day at the beach, a chic addition to your summer outfit or simply want to make a statement at your next event, our new collection has something for everyone.
So why wait? head over to our shop to view tghe full collection or pop into our Sydney Showroom to try them all on in person.
Trust us, you wont be disappointed…..
ilana is wearing our AHOY MINI BOATER in French Navy
Watch our ‘ BY THE SEASIDE Campaign Video to view the Collection
Behind The Scenes of our new Showroom
Behind the scenes of The House Of Hats new showroom in Sydney Australia
We have been super busy designing and renovating our new space and creating our beautiful new showroom.
Before our renovation
We started off with a blank canvas in this victorian room with stunning marble fireplace and ornate ceiling as our feature.
Black Feature Wall
We wanted to stick with my logo colours , so went with a black feature wall around the fireplace and light green walls.
The theme for the room was inspired by the old victorian millinery shops back in the 1900s , we already had this antique timber mirror but we jazzed it up by painted it gold and how spectacular does it look .
We managed to find an incredible antique 1920s copper & glass shop display counter which was the perfect fit in the middle of the room and we also found a antique velvet chaise lounge at an estate sale that fits in with the theme perfectly.
Willow modelling on our Antique Chaise
We painted our wooden hat stands gold to match our feature mirror.
Our Gold Wooden Hat Stands
We designed the shelf layout and found a local carpenter that custom made a cupboard and timber shelves built on both wall for hat display and hat box storage.
Design for Shelves
Finished Timber Shelves
We are now just in the final stages of finishing and are just waiting on curtains and another cabinet to be painted and we will be finished,
Stay tuned for the final reveal.
PETAL'S IN THE WIND The House Of Hats New Collection
Our New Collection ‘ Petal’s In The Wind features seventeen new beautiful Hats & headpieces designs just in time for the new season.
Inspired by the whimsical late 1970s with a twist of 1960's this collection is for the romantics and daydreamers.
Beautiful pastel colours with vintage floral prints , gingham and vintage sequins and Straw embroidered Hats all handmade in our Sydney Studio , this collection of hats and headpieces will bring happiness into your days.
WATCH OUR CAMPAIGN VIDEO BELOW.
As seen in Camilla's New Collection ' Time Trippin' The House Of Hats UTOPIA Pearl Crown.
We are so thrilled to be featured in CAMILLA’S new collection TIME TRIPPIN
Inspired by our favourite eras with beautiful Art deco ,Art nouveau and Baroque Style Prints , this collection is out of this world…
Our UTOPIA Gold Pearl Crown featured on the stunning Mercy Rose Watson looking like something out of a fairytale photographed Sydney’s State theatre Butterfly Room.
UTOPIA Gold Pearl Crown modelled by Mercy Rose Watson for Camilla
The House Of Hats UTOPIA Gold Pearl Crown modelled by Mercy Rose Watson for Camilla
The House of Hats UTOPIA Gold Pearl Crown as Featured in Camilla
The House Of Hats UTOPIA Pearl Crown as Featured in Camilla
As seen in Camilla's New Collection ' Time Trippin'
We are so thrilled to be featured in CAMILLA’S new Campaign video for her new collection TIME TRIPPIN
Inspired by our favourite eras with beautiful Art deco & Art nouveau prints , this collection is out of this world…
Our EBONY Swarovski Rhinestone Headpiece is featured on the right of this stunning video all filmed in
Sydney’s State theatre.
Watch the TIME TRIPPIN video Below…
As seen in this Month's Issue of RUSSH Magazine
We are so excited to have our bridal Millinery featured in this month’s May issue of Russh Magazine.
Featuring our ‘ Eternal Love’ Lace Headpiece & Veil
Our’ Classic ‘ Bridal Veil & our ‘ Marilyn ‘ Headpiece
We are so excited to be featured in this month’s issue of Russh magazine..
As seen in this month’s issue of Russh magazine featuring our ‘ Eternal Love’ lace headpiece & veil
As seen in this month’s issue of Russh Magazine featuring our ‘ Classic Veil’ .
As seen in this month’s issue of Russh magazine featuring our ‘ Marilyn’ Headpiece
As seen in this month’s issue of Russh Magazine featuring our ‘ Classic ‘ Veil.
CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF MILLINERY
It’s our Birthday and we are Celebrating 15 years of Millinery,
Wow how our business has evolved over the years when we first started in 2006 , Our hats & headpieces have graced many amazing clients here in Australia and all over the world.
We have been featured in numerous fashion magazines & fashion houses and also in film & tv.
Watch our video of our journey though the years as I was interview by Radio Presenter Kia Handley
Thank you to all our clients and everyone who has been apart of our journey over the years.
We are so proud to be an Australian Made small Business & to use Vintage materials when we can
to help our environment and to make every piece unique & one of a kind.
We are so excited to see what future holds for The House Of Hats.
Remember ‘ If you have a head, you can wear a hat’.
Ilana x
SPRING is Finally Here
SPRING is finally here , wow what a whirlwind of a year we all have had, it's been a very challenging year for all of us, I hope you have all been well and safe through this pandemic and wishing us all better times ahead.
We haven't stopped creating and have new exciting styles coming soon.
We will be adding some new coloured straw hats to our ' Folk ' Range and will have options of different brim sizes.
We have sourced some incredible sixties pattern fabrics and trims and we are excited to show you.
For our International hat lovers coming into the cooler season we haven't forgotten about you.
We will be introducing some wonderful new colours to our Felt Hat Collection you are going to love these.
So you now have the choice of hats to wear all year round
Our Hats are such beautiful high quality durable to wear everyday and will last you a lifetime.....
We have had such a wonderful response to our new ' CHRYSALIS ' collection and are selling out fast, these hats are limited and are mostly one offs due their vintage fabrics and trims so once they are gone there gone, so if you have your eye on something grab it before its gone forever
We just wanted to say a huge Thank you for all your ongoing love & support for our small business this year.
It gives us such joy to see our hats on you and you enjoying wearing them.
AUTUMN HAT SALE
AUTUMN is finally here , time to layer up and get all cosy.
Autumn is our favourite time of the year when the sun is shining but the air is crisp and we get to wear our favourite winter coats and hats.
We are now having our Annual HAT SALE of vintage hats , some from our own personal collection.
Dating from the 1930's - 1970's.
Vintage hats starting from $15 grab a bargain , there are hats for everyone.
Don't miss out they are selling out fast.
Head over to our online boutique to view our hat sale.
We also have some wonderful new products from our new collection CHRYSALIS.
Our new collection has over 30 new styles of hat & accessories that are fun and colourful for everyday wear.
So much colour to brighten up any outfit with a late 60's early 70's vibe.
We will be featuring some of our new products in this newsletter.
Head over to our shop to view our ' CHRYSALIS' Collection.
Thank you for all your ongoing love & support for our small business.
We are so happy you love our hats and we love seeing them on you.
Please feel free to follow our Instagram account @thehouseofhats_ and tag us wearing your hats from us , we would love to see them on you.
