Posts Tagged ‘polly singer’

Last year was the first time I worked with silver hats. I sold a few, but they didn’t seem to really catch on until this year.

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”.

I hate change. Really, I do. Running a business, household, doing volunteer work, being a daughter, daughter-in-law, friend, parent, etc. leaves me with very little time to hunt for new make-ups and update my look.

A few weeks ago, I was stuck in the Atlanta Airport with 4 hours to kill. I happened by the Duty Free Shop and visited the MAC counter. I asked the sales consultant to pick out a lipstick for me. She picked MAC Slimshine in Missy. When she first put it on me, I hated it. I felt it looked too orange. However, I have been to make-up counters before and they have suggested other colors that I didn’t take. You see, I was in the dreaded “lipstick rut”.

The consultant then mentioned that the MAC Lipcolor Missy was “more youthful” and indeed, it was. So, for $14.00 I was able to purchase a bit of youth. I have felt brighter and happier wearing the new color. The Slimshine is long wearing and moisturizing as well.

This is an inexpensive way to update your look without spending a lot of money. Having a make-up consultant help you is key. I have pale skin and red hair, so the make-up that works on me would not work on most people.

By: Polly Singer

Wishing you and yours a prosperous, happy and utterly fantastic 2010!

Warm Wishes,
Polly Singer

Wishing you and yours a magical Christmas.

Love,

Polly Singer

FASHION TOPS ITSELF AT THE MELBOURNE CUP

The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips went to the Melbourne Cup in a black feathered design by milliner Philip Treacy. Zara Phillips is an accomplished rider as well. Also making headlines was singer-celebrity Olivia Newton-John.

Olivia Newton-John raised the style bar at the Melbourne Cup, turning heads in a tall black hat trimmed with netting and feathers.

Sarah Kelly models the outfit that won the Melbourne Cup’s Fashions on the Field style competition

Racegoers take part in the Fashions on the Field event to find the best dressed ladies…

The Fashions on the Field competition is to find the best-dressed race attendee.

Photos courtesy of www.hatlife.com
© 2009

By: Polly Singer

“Buy straw hats in winter. ”


(idiomatic) of stocks
attributed to financier Russell Sage (1816-1906)

Straw Hats in the winter? Well that depends on where they’re worn and, most important, in what colors. As we’ve become convinced of the ill effects of sun exposure, women look for sun protection year round. Sun block is a necessity, plus, there exists a need for attractive wide brimmed hats in autumn/ winter hues. Last year, Polly dedicated a segment of her collection to what we call “transitional straws”, that is, hats made of parisisal straw designed in colors and materials which complement cool weather fashion. The transitional straws have been popular with horse racing fans and, since the Breeders Cup is the most prestigious race of the season, designs in the line all carry names of Breeders Cup Winners. Here are a few of the front runners.

Cat’s Meow, the perfect escort for a sedate suit out for a walk on the wild side. Nothing wakes up basic black like a swath of silk animal print.

Ginger Punch glows in bon fire hues. Excellent accessory for a camel hair coat or with earth toned tweeds.

Dance Smartly adds a frosty shot of color to grays and relieves black or navy with an indigo that is rich and complex yet subdued.

To see other transitional straws, enter “transitional” or “breeders cup” in the keyword search field on our Shop on Line page. Any of the designs will add spark to your fall and winter wardrobe, all the while affording extra sun protection.

by Jan Masters Yon

Note: We enjoy contact with readers and invite your comments. My email address is jan@hatsandveils.net. Polly may be reached at polly@hatsandveils.net. We both look forward to hearing from you.

Thrilling things often come in small packages – that has never been more true than this autumn at Polly Singer Couture Hats and Veils. Just in time for the holiday party season, we’re unveiling a collection of hats so petite and precious they should be measured in carats.

The seven bewitching new fascinators run the gamut from unabashedly romantic to sophisicated and mysterious. The common characteristic is that each little headpiece packs a head turning punch. In some of the designs, Moulin Rouge and Domino for instance, much of the dazzle is created by the exhuberant interplay of long feathers and lush silk flowers.

With several of the designs, veiling sets the mood —and the moods do vary. In the case of Frappé an ivory bird cage veil whispers innocently of romance. Frappé is popular with brides as a less formal wedding veil, or as a reception headpiece. It also works fabulously well with winter white wool. On quite the opposite end of the spectrum is Kir Royal. A mysterious dark veil, shot with white velvet floats beneath rich black trims and violet velvet. Tutti Frutti owes it’s whimsical appeal to an amusing chin length veil across which candy colored dots play giving the illusion of a constant shower of confetti.

All of these designs play well with a little black dress. Moulin Rouge and Grenadine Fizz take advantage of crimson’s affinity for black and white. Moulin Rouge brings the glamor of a casino to basic black. More playful, yet every bit as eye catching is Grenadine Fizz with its wisp of a veil and sassy scarlet and white trim.

Crème de Menthe is a study in movement and vivid color. Among the dancing black feathers iridescent peacock spires glimmer, working their timeless magic.

These charming little hats range in price from $190. to $250. and are brilliant at breathing new life into last year’s party dress. The right fascinator can transform an otherwise conservative ensemble into a stunning holiday look. This Thanksgiving, I refuse to go over the river and through the woods dressed like a pilgrim. This sweet whimsey in Cocoa guarantees that I won’t be upstaged by a turkey. Whether you want to be the girl in the limelight or the mysterious siren of the shadows I encourage you to consider a fascinator. In fact, you might as well take two —remember, they’re small.

By Jan Masters Yon

Note: We enjoy hearing from readers and invite your comments. My email address is jan@hatsandveils.net. Polly may be reached at polly@hatsandveils.net. We both look forward to your input.

As a native Kentuckian, I often like to point out that we can claim actors Johnny Depp and George Clooney. Clooney and I were born at the same hospital, just down the road from my office. Johnny Depp grew up in Owensboro. I’ve always enjoyed his movies, the quirky ones, the period pieces, even the Pirates of the Caribbean. I’m looking forward to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, where Depp plays The Madhatter.

As a hat designer, I appreciate Depp’s love of hats as well. Let’s face it, the man can wear any hat. His facial bone structure (due to his Cherokee ancestry) is wonderful and very photogenic.

One of my very favorite Depp movies was “Finding Neverland”. I love the story of Sir James Barrie’s finding the inspiration to write Peter Pan from the Davies family.

A recent Depp movie, “Public Enemies”, featured Johnny Depp in wonderful fedoras.

I truly love being a hat designer. The fact that I can research Johnny Depp’s movies and be able to justify it for a blog idea is great!

By: Polly Singer

Quick, think of a T.V. network logo. It’s possible you may have chosen the stylized eye of CBS’s logo. More likely, the NBC peacock popped into your mind. In the field of graphic design, being able to identify which images grab the attention and stay in the memory is very important. This is equally important in fashion design.

I pose this question to point out that the peacock feather is an image with the power to grab and hold the eye. Despite the fact that due to their 2 dimensional nature they are difficult to work with, Polly has had considerable success using the feathers as an element in hat design. One of our most popular hats is Pricilla’s Peacock which features several peacock plumes on a field of black. The distinctly festive feel of Madamoiselle Magnifique and Cabaret owes much to her inspired use of jaunty peacock spires.

In some cultures or eras the peacock feather has been considered a bad omen, for instance, in the late 1800’s it was believed that having peacock feathers in the house would result in old maids. I long for a maid, old or otherwise, I don’t get the problem. Generally, however, the peacock is considered a bird of protection and safe guarding. In asia the feathers are believed to be very auspicious and protective. The peacock is considered sacred in India; there, especially in the north, its feathers may be burnt to ward off disease, and even to cure snakebite. 

In Greece, the bird was sacred to Hera. Hera, Juno to the Romans, is depicted riding in a chariot drawn by two peacocks. It was common for the birds to be kept as pets at her temples. Hera, as Zeus’s lawful wife is the goddess associated with marriage. It’s interesting that lately, peacock feathers appear often in wedding decor. Below are a couple of wedding photos taken from one of my favorite wedding sites, The Offbeat Bride. As you can see, the peacock feather as a motif is showing up in bouquets, bridal head wear and even on cakes. This summer Polly custom designed a hat for a bride who wanted a shot of color in her ensemble. She chose peacock feathers and the result was charming.

One advantage of peacock feathers as trim is that they work so well with cool weather fashions. The brilliant turquoise center of a peacock feather eye brings a jolt to sombre winter palettes. That said, let me give you a sneak peek at one of our new fall and winter designs. This chic navy fur felt top hat, appropriately named Hera’s Choice, is lit up by fans of peacock eyes. Hera’s Choice is the newest Singer design and now available on the site.

One last bit of peacock lore, in Hindu tradition, it is said that at the time of the creation of the universe, when the primordial poison was churned out of the Sea of Milk (Think of it as the cosmic latte.) and transmuted into the amrita of immortality, it was a peacock that absorbed the negative effects. Interesting, don’t you think, a sort of cosmic air bag, bad karma sponge, and visually exciting to boot– surely worth the risk of being over run with old maids.

by Jan Masters Yon

Turnout matters.

To me, a visit to the paddock is worth fighting the crowds, for, in addition to supporting to my persistent (though erroneous) belief that I’m a good judge of horseflesh, I derive pleasure from admiring the grooms’ art. Beautifully conditioned, impeccably turned out thoroughbreds simply radiate breeding and care.

I’m conviced that, with a regime of customized nutrition, daily exercise and the tender ministrations of professional grooms, I too would dazzle . Well, it’s too late to do much about the nutrition and exercise but here are are few grooming tips that will help you sparkle on Derby Day.

Use moisturizer and/or foundation with sunblock. A bright red nose might be attributed to Mint Juleps. ( Juleps bear responsibility for enough shenanigans as it is.) Remember, any sunblock you carry into Churchill Downs must be in a plastic container.
(see last week’s Derby Tip).

Before Derby Day, apply the cosmetics you plan to use, put on your hat, and step outside with a mirror. Hat color will definitely effect the tone of your complexion. Large areas of color near the face reflect onto and tint the face. Color interaction is also a factor. Do you remember the color wheels we made in middle school art class? When predicting how one hue will affect another, think complements. The complement to purple is yellow, thus a lavender hat will make your face look more sallow. A green hat will bring out warm tones in the skin. Sunlight filtering through the brim of a hat is another factor in how we preceive color. Rose tones is a perfect example. Pink hats do wonderful, age defying things to a woman’s complexion. I still don’t know which color dress I’ll wear to Derby, but I can tell you this, my hat will be pink. Check out your make up with the hat, you may find that some adjustments, a warmer or cooler foundation, more or less blush, may be in order.

As mentioned above, step out in the sunlight with your mirror. Yes, I know this can be painful for a woman of a certain age, I recommended it all the same. We’re all hoping Derby Day will be sunny and clear. However the kind of day that brings us a fast track also has unforgiving lighting. Strong natural light calls for the sheerest foundation possible. If you need more coverage, make sure the finish is well blended, flawless. I’m younger than Dracula yet still at an age where I’d rather avoid mirrors and sunlight altogether, however, I do want to see the make-up, flaws and all, before anyone else does. Be brave, move toward the light.

By the same token, work with your hair and your hat before the morning of the Derby. Experiment with pinning bangs out of the way, straightening or curling the hair that shows beneath your hat. This is a good place to mention that, while the label sewn inside your hat band indicates what the milliner considers to be the back of the hat, don’t be a slave to labels, experiment, often the hat will look better rotated. Anyway, what do milliners know? By the time Derby rolls around,they’re all mad as hatters anyway.

In the realms of thoroughbred racing and ballet, two of my favorite worlds, turnout matters.

by Jan Masters Yon