Popstar goes Gaga over hat from Deniliquin by Bronwen O'Shea

The hat for Lady Gaga, created from an old vinyl record and mirrored perspex by Deniliquin's Danica Erard. (Danica Erard - Supplied)

Milliner Danica Erard from Deniliquin had her ticket for one of Lady Gaga's recent Melbourne concerts when a friend suggested she create a hat for the popstar and take it along.

"Originally the plan was to hand it over on the stage. But when we arrived at the concert we had tickets that allowed us to have pre-show drinks and canapés and a few of the people in that VIP area told us the stage was really high and it would be quite a risk getting the hat to the stage without it breaking," she told ABC Goulburn Murray's Joseph Thomsen.

Danica was pointed in the direction of a member of Lady Gaga's entourage, and handed him the hat she'd crafted from a vinyl record and mirrored perspex.

"I really just put it in the hands of the gods. I thought if she's meant to get this headpiece, she will."

Danica was on her way back to her Deniliquin farm the next day when she learned that her cousin was having dinner with Lady Gaga's tour manager that night. She asked her cousin to enquire whether Lady Gaga had received the hat.

The next day she received a call from her cousin.

"She said 'Are you sitting down?' I said 'Should I be?' "

As it turned out, the man Danica had given the hat to passed it on to Lady Gaga's tour manager who in turn gave it directly to Lady Gaga.

"She absolutely loved it. It was hanging in her dressing room waiting to make the trip back to LA with all her personal belongings."

So does Danica now regard herself as milliner to the stars?

"I'm just proud that (Lady Gaga) has a piece of my passion with her," she gushed.

Story from ABC, Click Here.

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Born This Way

Totally in love with Danica Erard's Custom, Lady Gaga hat made for the wonderful Sasha McQueen.

This is fun and kitsch.

Have fun all my GaGalicious friends. xxxx

Couture for a Cause

It does not really surprise me that my dear friend Danica Erard is not only giving of her time, her materials, and her heart when on Saturday at Caulfield Racecourse, Danica is setting up Couture for a Cause.  The phenomenon started with Oscar Calvo's Red Ribbon Charity fashion event, where Danica wowed the the party, not to mention up stage some of the hats on stage at a parade.  The purpose was not to upstage, but to simply keep awareness of the cause.
The Red Ribbon took headlines in the next day's paper and was featured in the social pages of Australia's fashion capital 'Melbourne'.
This year, Danica's donation will contribute to the fantastic cause of Breast Cancer Awareness, something close to every woman's heart.   Danica, thank you for you generosity to great causes and charity does not go un-noted, just because you are not e-baying Philip Treacy masterpiece that Princess Beatrice wore, everyone is grateful of your time and heartfelt energy that is in your mindfulness of cause.  Milliner of the day!

Last year, it seemed Danica was ahead of her time, when I decided to wear this perfect Pink Ribbon she gave me to 'Pink Ribbon Day at Caulfield Racecourse'

Danica Erard and myself, for Aids Red Ribbon, Oscar Calvo Fashion Event

Hat Wearer, Irish Rivera

When everyone is getting dressed up for LMFF, there is one lady that is not scared of making a statement and that is Irish Rivera for Stylezilla wearing Danica Erard Millinery and fabulous shoes from Kristen Cleal.  1000s are stomping the fashion sidewalk down by the Yarra River in Melbourne but Irish is showing true Riviera trend.  Today my darling Irish you are my hat wearer of the day.  Thank you for wearing a hat and bringing attention to your gorgeous face.  xxxxx

Above 2 photos by 

 Sabine L. Photography's

Danica Erard

Saturday was Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield racecourse and my friend Danica decided to make a wonderful fun piece being a Blue Diamond.  I thought it was fantastic.  This is fun and what wearing hats and millinery is all about.  When speaking to Richard Nylon recently at Magic Millions he did comment that when you wear a hat, you have to expect people to stare.  I could not get over the amount of attention that Danica received.  People were coming from all over to tell her how much they loved her hat and then of course there were some people trying to bring her down with negative comments and innuendo.  Even another milliner said something derogatory about her hat.  We all know how hard it is for milliners to come up with new innovative ideas and really most milliners struggle with their craft.  I applaud Danica for standing tall and enjoying wearing her hat.  Usually people when threatened say nasty things to boost their self esteem.  It is not right.  Think of one of the greatest milliner of our time, Philip Treacy with Beatrice's Hat, I loved it but it must be the most controversial hat ever.  Danica, how wonderful you are feeling what one of the greats are feeling.
To all my beautiful milliners, you are all talented and amazing.  Not everyone is going to love the same thing and we don't have to.  That is what makes us individual, but really negative comments are mean and hurtful.  Danica today, AGAIN, you are my milliner of the day for holding yourself high with others criticizing.  If we were not to try something new we would all still be wearing bonnets and hoops under our skirts.

Danica Erard Millinery

Yesterday showed one of the most coveted titles being the Mornington Cup Fashions on the Field 2012.  This title was won in the 18 - 40 ladies category by Melissa Buchanan.  Melissa was wearing a beautiful Danica Erard Hat that was right on trend on a boiling hot day.  The wide brim with beautiful silk roses was a perfect summer touch and really was fashion forward with this outfit.  When Melissa graced us with her presence on stage, I think most of us wanted to be 'That Girl'.  Melissa was so graceful and confident in her stride that she took everyone's breath away.  Congratulations Melissa, and Danica Erard Millinery, you are today's Milliner of the Day.