The Block winner Chantelle Ford releases new designs ahead of Melbourne Cup carnival

By ERIN VAN DER MEER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

PUBLISHED: 05:00 GMT, 14 October 2014 | UPDATED: 05:01 GMT, 14 October 2014

In April she and her partner Dorrie walked away from The Block with $736, 000.
And Chantelle Ford has lost no time pursuing her dreams, running a thriving millinery business in Melbourne.
The golden-haired designer, who comes from a long line of milliners, has released a new range of hats fit for your races just ahead of the Melbourne Cup brazillian carnival kicking off in November.

  

Throwing her hat in the ring: Former The Block contestant Chantelle Ford's millinery business is flourishing after the Melbourne woman and her partner Steve won $736,000 on the show earlier this year

Mad hatter! Chantelle comes from a long line of female milliners, with her aunts both working as milliners

Ford Millinery’s 2014 Spring Racing collection is made up of bold, uncommon looks for fashionistas keen to wear something unusual trackside.
Modeled by former Big Brother contestant Tully Smyth, House Husbands actress Leah De Neise, Channel Nine newsreader Jo Hall and Chantelle herself, the items are certainly outside the bounds of conventional race day headwear.
Tully dons items including the heart-shaped ‘Loveheart Candy’ style, along with a feathered piece called ‘Silent Goddess’.
The actual designs range from $140 to $490.

Love it: Former Big Brother contestant Tully Smyth models the new collection, which includes a heart-shape design in a geometric pattern 

Raspberry beret: Tully wears a bright but more subtle design from the collection

Chantelle herself wasn’t afraid to model a few of the designs, such as a tangerine and raspberry triangle shaped hat in a geometric pattern, along with a large yellow layered number.
There’s absolutely no chance of being a wallflower in any of the styles, but Chantelle says the striking designs suit right in on the field.
‘What appears big and over the top at home, will merge perfectly once you step on the racetrack, ’ the designer said.

Standing out: House Husbands actress Leah De Neise models an unusual design

Pool shark: A green straw piece is modeled alongside a pool table

Traditional: Channel Nine presenter Jo Hall models a fun but more classic look

‘Once you're at the backrounds and see what others are wearing, you'll want you went more out there’.
‘Against all odds, Chantelle and Steve received The Block in April in a fairytale-ending finale, selling their three-bedroom apartment for any whopping $2. 47m, earning a record-breaking $636, 000 in profits and $265.21, 000 in prize money.
On Weekend night The Block Glasshouse finale noticed brothers Simon and Shannon Vos succeed the series earning $335, 000 through the sale of their apartment as well as $100, 000 in prize money.
Aside from Chris as well as Jenna walking away with $310, 000, another The Block contestants didn’t fare perfectly in profits, with Max and Karstan earning $40, 000 and the other partners just $10, 000.

Off to the races: Leah, Jo, Tully and Chantelle pose together to model the designs

Girls day out: The four women looked like a group of friends heading off for a day by the track

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