Hutton has long been one of Australia’s most recognisable media figures, but behind the television screens and magazine covers, there has always been another constant – the outdoors, sunshine and golf.

Raised in that coastal Australian rhythm of beaches and the fresh Aussie breeze, she eventually found her way into the game in the late 1990s, not through tradition or family lineage, but through finding a way to escape the long Friday lunches.

“I’m sure there are better things to be doing with my time other than going out and getting thrashed at Friday lunches,” Hutton laughs as she explains to Golf Australia magazine her avenue into the game.

“I’m going to take up something [golf] that I can do with friends to spend some quality time.

“Little did I know that you can do that and then still go and get trashed on the 19th ...

“As soon as I picked up a club and started hitting balls, it was just a really lovely thing, and it just grew from there.”

The connection with people and time away from phones and noise are what she loves the most.

“I love it because it’s away from technology; you’re out in beautiful areas for five hours.

“I like the challenges, the glory of the golf when you’re actually playing well; there’s nothing better. There are so many aspects of the game I absolutely adore.”

She built her swing the traditional way, through lessons and repetition, eventually becoming a long-time member at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney. From there, the game did what it always does when it grabs someone properly. It spread.

Scotland. Ireland. Links golf in wind and rain. And the ultimate marker in any golfer’s travel diary, a round at Augusta National.

Hutton still laughs when she recalls her first time walking onto the first tee at Augusta. The nerves were real. Proper, physical nerves. Enough to require a couple of Bloody Marys to settle the system.

“It was the most intimidating experience, walking up to the first hole. I was so nervous. I think I had two Bloody Marys after breakfast, and I was so nervous teeing off.”

A friendly wager with her playing partner helped flick the switch. The tension eased.

And like most golfers who find their rhythm after the nerves fade, she remembers it fondly. Good shots and having both feet on such hallowed turf.

“As soon as I had something to play for, we both calmed down, and we played some really nice golf.

“It’s incredible. Absolutely incredible.”

Her journey is not only about enjoyment, which is where Canopy Bay comes in. After decades spent in Australia’s harsh sun, Hutton received a stark reminder of what long exposure can do. Multiple skin cancer surgeries followed years of tanning culture and outdoor living which, like many of her generation, came without full awareness of the risks.

“I had a flag waved in front of me 16 years ago when I had my first major skin cancer surgery.

“Of course, it just changes everything. You just realise the damage you’ve done and how stupid and idiotic you were when you were younger.”

It changed how she saw the outdoors entirely.

Sunscreen alone, she realised, was not enough. Caps and casual hats offered little real protection. The reality of UV exposure was far more serious than appearance or habit had suggested.

In her words, looking better with a tan was not worth what it cost.

In seeking better protection, Hutton discovered Flexibraid, an Australian-made UPF 50-plus material designed to block the majority of harmful UV rays. From there, the idea for a hat range began to take shape.

Canopy Bay was built with purpose. Wide-brimmed, practical designs created for real outdoor use. Golf rounds, beach days, long walks in the sun. Pieces that could move between settings without losing their core function.

“One of the emails I received was literally from the hat manufacturer I now work with and make, and I’ll never forget the sentence: ‘I don’t know if you realise yet that the hats you’re wearing aren’t necessarily giving you any sun protection.’ That sentence has just stayed with me, and that’s when I learned about what difference hat wear can make.”

Today, Canopy Bay by Deborah Hutton sits in that space between lifestyle and necessity.

The hats are designed to block up to 98 per cent of UV rays. Wide brims provide real coverage for the face, ears and neck. The material is crush-resistant, water-resistant and travel-friendly; made for people who are actually on the move.

An internal ComfyFit system allows for adjustment without discomfort. Shapes range from structured fedoras to softer trilby-inspired designs, with trims and finishes kept clean and considered.

There is even a quiet nod to golf in the details, including a magnetised ball marker featuring her initials. A small touch, but one that reflects where the story began.

The range has grown steadily over six seasons, finding an audience among women who want practicality without sacrificing style. Even international recognition has followed, with Queen Mary of Denmark among those seen wearing the designs.

The hats are of refined craftsmanship – sculpted crowns, polished trims and seasonal colourways. Deborah loved working on the colours and designs and braids and trims, so each piece looks as good off-course as on.

For Hutton, the most meaningful part is not the design process or the business, but the sight of people wearing the hats in the real world.

Visit https://canopybay.com.au/  for more information.