ABOUT

Cynthia Jones-Bryson doesn't just make hats. She makes wearable art — pieces that turn heads, spark conversations, and stay in the memory long after the occasion has passed.

With over two decades of practice, Cynthia has become one of Australia's most celebrated milliners. Her work has graced the pages of Harper's Bazaar China — reaching over a million readers worldwide — and has been showcased at events as far afield as London Hat Week, the Dubai World Cup, and the Kentucky Derby. Closer to home, she has created pieces for distinguished figures including former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce, and has been recognised as a top finalist in the Melbourne International Millinery Competition.

Her greatest distinction, however, belongs to the competition that matters most in Australian millinery: the VRC Melbourne Cup Carnival Millinery Award. Cynthia has won it three times — in 2015, 2019, and 2023 — a record that speaks not just to extraordinary talent, but to rare and consistent excellence.

What makes her work so compelling is the philosophy behind it. Each piece is designed to "flow in a very organic way" — to appear effortlessly elegant while concealing the complex craft and decision-making beneath. The result is millinery that resonates emotionally, balancing technical mastery with genuine artistic vision.

A proud member of both the Millinery Association of Australia and the British Millinery Association, Cynthia remains deeply committed to her craft and to the community of makers who share her passion.

You too could own a piece of this art. Browse the current collection — or explore her new book, Hats: A Fine Art, a celebration of the techniques, inspirations, and creative philosophy behind a career built on beauty, skill, and the enduring joy of putting something extraordinary on your head.

... she is one of the most creative and innovative hat designers in years!
Denise Innes-Spencer, Founder and Creative Director of The British School of Millinery