People generally assume that after the Kentucky Derby we are done for the years.  Such is not the case!  I am currently working on a saucer hats for Ascot, a fascinator for the Irish Derby and a hat for a wedding.  We are also designing hats for the Preakness and the Belmont. 

Hats worn to the Preakness and Belmont tend to be a bit more mellow than hats worn at the Kentucky Derby.  People do favor the big hats though.  Recent trends have featured more white hats, as opposed to black.  The Derby is all about big and outrageous, while the other races tend to be a bit more mellow.

For weddings, I am seeing more wedding guests wearing hats, especially saucer hats.  They are easy to wear and you can dress them up or down.  They are smallish, so easy to transport.  Since they are not the traditional hat, one does not get the dreaded “hat hair”. 

Hats for Ascot are always a pleasure to design.  People wear the larger hats such as Hyde Park, saucer hats such as Flutter By and Wildfire. 

Spring is my favorite time of the year!  The colors are so vivid and it is nice to see the gardens waking up after their long winter’s nap.  I love the themes of rebirth and renewal. 

It is also the time when we ladies don our Easter hats.   Most of us remember putting on our Easter bonnets, going to church and then the annual Easter egg hunts. 

This year, I plan on wearing Maggie,  which is named after my great grandmother.  It is a hot pink hat with sage green magnolia and lavish coque feather mount.  The hat style is the Royal style, with the asymetrical crown and five inch brim.

Maggie

I am excited to announce that my hat designs were chosen for the 2012 Winterthur Point to Point.  To be held on Sunday, May 6th, this is the 34th annual Point to Point.   As part of our promotion with Winterthur, we are offering a 20% discount for all attendees on these two hats.  This special offer expires on March 31st.

Using the gardens of Winterthur as inspiration, I wanted to design something in vibrant pinks.  Gemma was born from studying the azalea garden photos.

Gemma

Emily was created using the timeless elegance of Winterthur as inspiration.  I wanted to design something romantic in classic colors.  The color of Emily is warm, similar to a bright sunny day where anything is possible.

Emily

Sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association, Point-to-Point is more than an important professional horse race; it is one of the Brandywine Valley’s most stylish and entertaining sporting events and the standout social event of the season.

We are thrilled to be included in this prestigious event.  Call us today about your hat for the 2012 Winterthur Point to Point!

Here are some of my new hats for 2012. This is the time of year that I love because I enjoy working with new designs. Any of the following hats or fascinators would be perfect to wear to the Kentucky Derby.

Evangeline

In designing for Spring, I try to think of what my clients wear and what would work nicely with their outfits.

Wildfire

Wildfire is bright and bold, which is a quality that many of my clients prefer. This saucer hat is easy to wear since it comes on a headband.

Bluebird

My yard is often filled with bluebirds. The feathers on this Bluebird are fun, light and whimsical. This fascinator’s bright colbalt blue color is flattering on most ladies.

Cameo

Cameo is a nice hat because it has a flourish, yet it’s warm neutral colors work with so many outfits. I have seen this hat worn with dresses and pantsuits alike.

Emily

Emily is a simple hat, yet rich in possibilities. The hat has a shimmery look to it, the look of warm sunshine. It’s a new favorite color of mine.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at some of our new hats. To view more new hats, visit our website, www.pollysinger.com.

Fashion designers religiously watch the Golden Globes to see what fashion colors the actresses are wearing. It does influence Spring clothing choices and this of course, influences the colors I work with. At this time of year, I am ordering hat supplies as well, so it helps to know what to purchase.

2012 Spring Fashion Colors

Last week, I talked about the fashion trends for spring. These colors were in abundance at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards.

Stacey Keibler in Poppy

Shailene Woodley in Sandstone

Natalie Portman shines in Geranium/Hot Pink

Dame Helen Mirren in Ink Blue

I noticed a lot of lace at the awards show, which I loved.

Nicole Kidman in Sandstone with Gold Beading

I truly hope the Spring 2012 Fashion Clothing Colors report is accurate because I totally love the colors that are supposed to be “in” this spring. The vibrant jewel tones will look great on most people and be lots of fun to design hats and fascintors for.

For years, in my personal dress, I was a bit afraid of color. Living in New York City where the main color of dress is black, it was easy. I have found that color is actually easier to work with than you would think. The key is balance.

Poppy

The first color is Poppy. A vibrant, warm color. For an outfit in this color, I would probably suggest a taupe or nude hat or fascinator with hints of the poppy color in it. On the other hand, one could be daring and go for more drama. A perfect example would be Lola.

Lola

Geranium is our next color. For this color, I would suggest our April hat.

Geranium - A muted pink for spring

April

Orange is always a favorite color of mine. It is so warm and striking. Each year I try to buy something in orange to “wake up” my wadrobe. What would I wear with an orange dress?

Phoenix - A fun little saucer hat in navy that complements orange well.

So do we get the idea? Balance with a pop of color. Since all my hats are custom made in our studio, we can customize any hat in the colors you need.

Stay tuned for more colors next week!

I am one of those strange people who loves shopping for gifts. Obviously some people are easier to shop for than others. What I love is when I find that perfect gift for someone. As a veteran shopper, I wanted to share my tips for finding unique gifts.

Over the years, I’ve honed my shopping skills. I grew up in a small town in Kentucky and I often shopped downtown at the small boutique stores. While living in New York City, I was able to hit Fifth Avenue and Bloomies. I would also shop at street markets and Soho.

These days, I find myself finding great things at vintage stores, antique stores and boutiques. Supporting these types helps small business owners, who are often women. Buying something vintage or antique helps the environment since nothing new is manufactured, nothing is shipped and the gift is unique, often one of a kind.

Curtis Grace in Lexington, KY is a fantastic source for vintage clothing, first edition books, toys and wonderful dolls. Curtis is mainly known as a floral designer, but is also collector of special found objects. While shopping there, I have found vintage hats, coats, gloves, etc. A special favorite of mine is a dress from the 1890′s. Curtis Grace is located at 1485 Leestown Road in Lexington and their phone number is 859-252-0047.

Georgetown is my home town. For years, I have shopped at the Georgetown Antique Mall on Main Street. What is so fun about antique shopping is that you just never know what you may find. I have recently found a black bent wood coat rack for $29, a shabby chic antique desk for $170, most vintage tea cups under $20.00 and toys under $5.00. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to find something for someone. Visit them at 124 West Main Street in Georgetown. Their phone is 502-863-1891 and incidentally the building they are located in was built in 1891.

A favorite town of mine is Paris, Kentucky. As many of you in the equine business know, Paris became the home of Secretariat. Two boutiques there I like are the White Horse and Peacock Ado. The White Horse owner is a jeweler and designs unusual equine jewelry, combining the horses with Celtic symbols. They are located at 431 Main Street in Paris, Kentucky.

Midway, Kentucky has a selection of antique stores, clothing boutiques, book stores and fine dining establishments. The Fashion Filly has equine related gifts. I purchased my own “lucky horseshoe” there earlier this year.

Of course for clothes, you always visit Blink, A.J.’s Casuals, Monkees of Lexington and Bella Rose. Often I love the give creations from Kentucky artists and will visit the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft in Louisville. Completely Kentucky in Frankfort features Kentucky artisans and gift baskets, which are a favorite of mine.

I hope my shopping experiences have helped you. Good luck and all the best luck for finding unique gifts for those you love! Merry Christmas!

Polly

I would like to wish you and yours a fabulous Thanksgiving. For me, the day is always about the family getting together and enjoying lots of great food. My husband and I are both vegetarians, so we pass on the turkey, but eat most everything else.

Today I helped out at a community wide Thanksgiving Dinner. It gives me a purpose on the day besides stuffing my own face. In a few hours, we are off to my aunt’s home for an extended family Thanksgiving meal. In years past when I missed this, it was always a bit sad. I do miss my grandmother especially at this time of year. She was amazing cook and taught me how to sew.

I feel so fortunate to have such great things in my life. A fabulous husband, the home of my dreams, a business that I love doing and friends and family that are always there for me. There were times when I had none of this and never would have dreamed my life would turn out like this. I am extremely blessed.

Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear in the Winner's Circle at the 2011 Kentucky Derby

I am the luckiest hat designer in America since at least one of my hats always ends up the Winner’s Circle at the Kentucky Derby. My client, Jane Beshear, who also happens to be the First Lady of Kentucky, is naturally always in the Winner’s Circle as she and her husband present the trophy to the Winner of the Kentucky Derby. Each year, 15 million viewers watch the Trophy Presentation at the Kentucky Derby.

Four years ago, I received an email from the First Lady’s office about designing a Kentucky Derby Hat for Mrs. Beshear. Of course, I was nervous about our meeting. Jan and I got dressed up, packed hat supplies and headed for the Governor’s Mansion. Soon any nervousness on my part went away as I met Kentucky’s First Lady and we chatted about her hat. I was made to feel at home, which I found out is part of the First Family’s treatment of all who enter the Governor’s Mansion. Steve and Jane Beshear view the Governor’s Mansion not as their home, but as home to all who enter it.

Kentucky Governor's Mansion in Frankfort

Generally, I get the Mrs. Beshear’s outfit and design the hat around it. We send photos of different ideas for the hat and then once a decision is made, we finish the hat and deliver it.

I must admit that it can be daunting designing a hat that will be seen by 15,000,000 million viewers, not to mention online and in print. This past year, there was a close-up on t.v. of the First Lady’s hat that was a foot wide. You could almost see the stitching, the camera was that close.

The 2008 Kentucky Derby saw Mrs. Beshear in a black hat with turquoise, to work with her suit. The flowers were handmade from fabric we sourced locally. The hat works well with her blue eyes.

First Lady Jane Beshear wears a Polly Singer Original

In 2009, we designed a slightly larger hat in ivory with peach and green trim. The brim was slightly larger than the year before.

Mrs. Beshear's 2009 Kentucky Derby Hat and Outfit

The 2010 Kentucky Derby, we went Green! Mrs. Beshear took the theme of Earth Day, which is Renew, Reuse and Recycle. We redesigned her 2008 hat, re-trimming it to go with her new outfit. At an event at the Kentucky History Center, I was given the opportunity to design on Mrs. Beshear as she talked about the Kentucky Derby and her outfit. As you can see, the 2010 hat looks entirely different from the 2008 hat.

Kentucky History Center - Redesign of Mrs. Beshear's Hat

The Beshears at the 2010 Kentucky Derby

This year, we branched out into a pink hat, which was stunning on Kentucky’s First Lady. She looked elegant and lovely.

The First Lady makes her way to the Winner's Circle

Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear at the 2011 Kentucky Derby

One of the things that I most admire about Mrs. Beshear is that she promotes Kentucky designers and artisans. Part of the Beshear platform is heavily promoting Kentucky Made/Kentucky Proud items. Years ago when another administration was in office, I was at an event at the Capitol. Imagine my surprise when we were given items with “Made In China” stamped on them. I thought it sad, given how many talented artisans we have in Kentucky who need work. It’s nice when Kentucky artists are given the chance to shine and Mrs. Beshear has certainly had a huge part in that.

I never would have thought when I started designing hats that I would get the opportunity to design for the First Lady of Kentucky. It just shows how you never know where life will take you.