Check back in September for more hat tips and advice.

The ladies from the Jane Austen Sewing Society

Saturday found me at the Jane Austen Festival in Louisville. I can’t say enough about the day. It was blazing hot, but we got through it. We went to the tea, which was tasty. The only down side was the tea itself. We walked around the grounds, visiting the shops of Meryton. I purchased a straw bonnet, which I love and a cockade to use for that evening. That evening found us at the Regency Ball, which was great fun and exercise too. The Regency dancing was suprisingly to my liking as I don’t really care for Ball Room dancing.

This was taken at Natalie's house as we were getting ready.

My friend Natalie, the fearless leader of our group, made my outfit. I am so in love with it! The purple and green was a block print fabric from India.

What BBC production is this from?

Believe it or not, this is not from a BBC production, but rather outfits that our dear Jenni sewed. Jenni made all four outfits. The men look positively dashing, do they not? I think Colin Firth had better watch his back because these gentlemen could replace him….

What would the Jane Austen festival be without hats and bonnets? You will notice that I did not get my bonnet done. Next year, I would like to do a turban perhaps. I don’t particularly care for bonnets on myself. However I did borrow Natalie’s and I rather liked it. Here are some examples of bonnets and hats:

Jenni's Capote Bonnet that she made for the event.

Natalie in her Regency Bonnet, trimmed with ostrich feathers.

Natalie loaned me her bonnet to wear...which I really liked.

A covered Regency Poke Bonnet

This color combination is wonderful. Love the purple!

Isn't this delicious?

Floral Centerpieces

Looking for an unusual, creative centerpiece that you don’t see everyday? Take a styrofoam mannequin head, add a few feathers, live flowers and you have a head turning creation.

My favorite centerpiece

These centerpieces were designed by Joe Hamilton for “Hats For Life”, which is a Lexington, KY based fundraiser done by the Lexington Cancer Foundation. I thought they were stunning. Each creation had us “oohing” and “aahing”.

Hats and Handbags for Life 2010

Isn't this ethereal?

This type of centerpiece would be perfect for a ladies luncheon, tea, bridesmaid luncheon or even a reunion.

Hat Made from Lady Gaga's Own Hair

Lady Gaga

I came across photos of Lady Gaga in some interesting hats last week. Fashion and music are intrinsically connected. I was always a fan of glam rock (David Bowie and company) and missed seeing that sense of fashion in music. Let’s tip out hats to Lady Gaga for keeping glam alive.

Very futuristic. Only Lady Gaga could pull this off.

No comment on this one....

Black lace mask hat.

White lace mask

What is so nice about working with silver is that it is a great hat base color. It’s the hot new neutral. Colors play off it so well. Here is a sampling of hats I did using silver as a base, but tying in different colors in the trim. You can see how the silver base makes the other colors “pop”.

Del Mar Racetrack

Californians have their own Derby Day fashion event of sorts – Del Mar Race Track’s Opening Day on July 21st. Del Mar is located in north San Diego. The hats seen on opening day at Del Mar are legendary.

Over the years, I have designed many hats for Opening Day. Below is a sampling of what my clients wore to Del Mar.

Pictured below is TVG reporter Christina Olivares in a headpiece that I designed for her. She is seen interviewing Luke Walton, from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Del Mar Race Track is one of the world’s most beautiful race tracks. It is located next to the beach in one of California’s most stunning towns. I would highly recommend a visit to Del Mar.

By: Polly Singer

Cecil Beaton and his sketch for My Fair Lady

An updated version of Eliza's Dress at Ascot. This dress is absolutely amazing.

Beaton's set and costume sketch for My Fair Lady

Notice the back of the dress on the right.

Ralph Lauren dress and Philip Treacy hat

Vera Wang wedding dresses

Here are some of my hats that were influenced by “My Fair Lady”. At FIT, we were asked to pick a theme as our senior design project. What did I pick? If you guessed hats from Audrey Hepburn’s movies, you win the prize.

Anatasia

Cavalcade

Sense and Sensability

Probably my favorite fashion movie clip of all time is the Ascot Gavotte scene from “My Fair Lady”. It’s utterly gorgeous in its simplicity. The starkness of black and white make the clothing and hat designs stand out. In my opinion, there is nothing more classic than black and white. It remains my signature color combination. My best sellers overtime have been black and white hats, with a burst of color.

Since Ascot is this month, I thought it only fitting that I focus on hats from this famous scene in film history. Here are some things I found in my search.

Beaton photographing Audrey Hepburn

The use of gray and white is utterly feminine

Ostrich feathers give this hat height and movement

This scene inspired me to become a milliner

Probably my favorite hat. I love the sharp angles.

Notice how the green and white does not work. It's nice, but just not the same effect. That's why they settled for black and white.

Beaton designed outfit, to be worn by an extra.