Crowns are tipped to be the headpiece-of-choice at Australia's most famous horse race, the Melbourne Cup. Ahead of the race on November 3, we spoke to four Australian milliners reinventing the crown for the 21st century.<br /><br />Sydney designer <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Viktoria Novak's</a> delicate metal crowns (pictured) have also been featured in U.S. TV series, "Reign."<br />
Viktoria Novak —
Crowns are tipped to be the headpiece-of-choice at Australia's most famous horse race, the Melbourne Cup. Ahead of the race on November 3, we spoke to four Australian milliners reinventing the crown for the 21st century.

Sydney designer Viktoria Novak's delicate metal crowns (pictured) have also been featured in U.S. TV series, "Reign."
Courtesy Viktoria Novak
"When I first started creating crowns, brass was my inspiration. The first question I asked myself was, 'what can I do with gold brass leaves?'" explained Novak.<br /><br />"The actual crown inspiration then flowed from my love and interest in Greek mythology and the ancient Roman era."
Viktoria Novak —
"When I first started creating crowns, brass was my inspiration. The first question I asked myself was, 'what can I do with gold brass leaves?'" explained Novak.

"The actual crown inspiration then flowed from my love and interest in Greek mythology and the ancient Roman era."
Courtesy Viktoria Novak
<a target="_blank" target="_blank">Richard Nylon</a> is one of Australia's best-known milliners, and counts Chloe Sevigny and Kate Bosworth as some of his celebrity clients.<br /><br />Nylon's veiled crowns (pictured) were created in collaboration with fashion designer <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Jason Grech, </a>recently appearing on the catwalk at <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Melbourne Fashion Spring Week.</a><br /><br />"The pieces I made for Jason were supposed to be a cross between a knights helmet , a tiara, and a veil -- he wanted something quite fierce," explained Nylon.<br /><br />"Jason loves the idea of the powerful woman, and the catwalk is where ideas can be conveyed in a visually potent form. I work with a designer to be the punctuation in their poetry.<br /><br />"I love late medieval art, so the pieces have quite a Gothic feel to them -- spiky and attenuated."<br /><br />
Richard Nylon —
Richard Nylon is one of Australia's best-known milliners, and counts Chloe Sevigny and Kate Bosworth as some of his celebrity clients.

Nylon's veiled crowns (pictured) were created in collaboration with fashion designer Jason Grech, recently appearing on the catwalk at Melbourne Fashion Spring Week.

"The pieces I made for Jason were supposed to be a cross between a knights helmet , a tiara, and a veil -- he wanted something quite fierce," explained Nylon.

"Jason loves the idea of the powerful woman, and the catwalk is where ideas can be conveyed in a visually potent form. I work with a designer to be the punctuation in their poetry.

"I love late medieval art, so the pieces have quite a Gothic feel to them -- spiky and attenuated."
Courtesy Richard Nylon Millinery/Lucas Dawson
Apart from crowns, what other fashion trends can we expect to see at the Melbourne Cup this year? <br /><br />"There will be lots of height in hats, a lot of looks with veiling. Lots of white, gold, and in the metallics there will be rose gold and copper," said Nylon.<br /><br />"The more fashion-forward will be wearing structured hats with wider brims."<br />
Richard Nylon —
Apart from crowns, what other fashion trends can we expect to see at the Melbourne Cup this year?

"There will be lots of height in hats, a lot of looks with veiling. Lots of white, gold, and in the metallics there will be rose gold and copper," said Nylon.

"The more fashion-forward will be wearing structured hats with wider brims."
Courtesy Richard Nylon Millinery/Lucas Dawson
Meanwhile, designer Patrova Hammond -- otherwise known as <a target="_blank" target="_blank">"Lady Petrova" </a>-- will be opting for the flower crown on the race track this year.<br /><br />The Melbourne milliner has created floral headpieces for pop singer Lana Del Rey, and runs design classes as part of her "School of Fabulousness."<br /><br /> <br />
Lady Petrova —
Meanwhile, designer Patrova Hammond -- otherwise known as "Lady Petrova" -- will be opting for the flower crown on the race track this year.

The Melbourne milliner has created floral headpieces for pop singer Lana Del Rey, and runs design classes as part of her "School of Fabulousness."
Courtesy Lady Petrova
"I love that flower crowns brighten up any outfit," said Lady Petrova.
Lady Petrova —
"I love that flower crowns brighten up any outfit," said Lady Petrova.
Courtesy Lady Petrova
Milliner <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Danica Erard </a>uses a laser cutter to create her bold, modern crowns, which are quite literally fit for royalty -- the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips is a past client.<br /><br />"In the studio one afternoon I was working with some laser cut flowers, laying them across each other, and placing them together from the smallest ascending to the biggest in the middle then down again -- the 'Crown of Roses' was born," explained Erard.<br /><br />"I had actually connected five individual pieces together, then asked my friend Kirrily who has a laser cutter if it was something she could make into one single piece. It worked, and I have never looked back."
Danica Erard —
Milliner Danica Erard uses a laser cutter to create her bold, modern crowns, which are quite literally fit for royalty -- the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips is a past client.

"In the studio one afternoon I was working with some laser cut flowers, laying them across each other, and placing them together from the smallest ascending to the biggest in the middle then down again -- the 'Crown of Roses' was born," explained Erard.

"I had actually connected five individual pieces together, then asked my friend Kirrily who has a laser cutter if it was something she could make into one single piece. It worked, and I have never looked back."
Courtesy Danica Erard Millinery
"I am known to be a risk taker," says Erard.<br /><br />"I take much inspiration from architecture and historical figures. I try not to follow trends as I want my pieces to be timeless, and a point of difference in the market."<br />
Danica Erard —
"I am known to be a risk taker," says Erard.

"I take much inspiration from architecture and historical figures. I try not to follow trends as I want my pieces to be timeless, and a point of difference in the market."
Danica Erard Millinery