Lolly Head

What started as a personal style pick-me-up has turned into a full-time job for jeweler and designer Jenny Vidler. After wearing her pieces out and about, Jen's "head confectionary" was literally turning heads and inspiring so many requests that eventually they could no longer be ignored. Pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response, she decided to create Lil Jen. And in just eight months, her millinery line has been picked up by lingerie store Dirty Pretty Things while Lil Jen headquarters was overwhelmed with online orders. As Jenny says, "Society conditions us not to take risks, even something as minor as unusual headwear in a crowd of sameness usually tickles the fancy of the observer and elicits a reaction."

Using everything from straw and felt to sinamay for the foundations, Jenny sources vintage treasures like Japanese foam dolls with paper crickets, festive flamingos or a 17th-century sailing ship to use as the hat's embellishment. Though it was initially aimed for the burlesque scene, Lil Jen's headwear seems to have a theatrical appeal for women of all persuasions. You'll be able to order online come this September; until then, requests can be made through Jen directly at www.liljen.com.au.

—Retna Wooller