Let There Be Light and Motion- My Design Award Journey Begins !

Every great design begins with a moment—a flicker of inspiration that slowly gathers form. For my 2025 MAA Design Awards entry, “A Celebration of Light in Motion,” the idea emerged from a childhood memory, standing beneath a night sky lit by fireworks, mesmerised by how light moved through the air like magic, brief but unforgettable. That joy, awe, and wonder became the emotional heartbeat of this design.

I knew I didn’t want to create a still piece. I wanted it to shimmer, to dance, to feel alive—just like a celebration itself.

🧵 The Wire Block That Shaped the Vision

Custom made wired sculptured block

The foundation of this piece was a process for the custom made & wire sculpted block—one that I personally designed and built. Constructing your own block allows you to push boundaries, you’re not limited by standard forms. This particular silhouette features sweeping curves that mimic motion mid-air, like a ribbon fluttering or the arc of a sparkler in full flight.

The base was blocked using & sharing the two tones on the blocking, chosen for its ability to reflect and refract light as it moves. It was challenging to work with—fiddly, delicate, and slightly unpredictable—but it was exactly what this concept needed.

Light should be allowed to dance, not sit still.

Kaleidoscope of Holographic Butterflies

🦋 Handmade Trims- Movement in the Details

At the heart of this design are the handmade trims—a kaleidoscope of holographic butterflies and delicate florals, each one created by hand. I cut, layered, wired, and shaped every element so they would appear to hover and shift as the wearer moves. No two butterflies are the same, yet together they create harmony—much like people gathered in celebration. These embellishments aren’t just decorative, they’re symbolic. Butterflies in motion evoke the fleeting nature of joyful moments. They remind us that beauty often comes in flashes—just like a celebration.

✨ A Milliner’s Reflection

Sharing the two tones on the blocking

This piece taught me patience, trust in process, and the power of following intuition. It’s easy to chase perfection, but I wanted this hat to breathe and move organically. It had to shimmer as though it were lit from within. Every layer, every trim, every hidden stitch was placed with meaning.

As I stand back and look at this hat, I see more than just materials and millinery technique. I see the spark that started it all—the light that moved me to begin.

Stay tuned for Stage 2 as it will reveal this creation in its full glory, professionally photographed and styled. But for now, I hope you’ve enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at how “A Celebration of Light in Motion” began.