This magnificent creation, in magenta pink, is a fine-straw disc with hand-made silk roses and spotty veil. It was designed by the extraordinary London milliner, Rachel Trevor- Morgan, and it’s going to be worn by a very lucky lady at this year’s Kentucky Derby!
The Kentucky Derby is fast approaching. Let's discuss fabulous hats! While not mandatory at Churchill Downs, they continue to be a tradition there, as well as at celebratory parties around the country! Even gentlemen tend to wear either lightweight straw bowlers or fedoras to this fashionable equestrian event.
My dear friend in London, Rachel Trevor-Morgan, whom I admire immensely, is a renowned British milliner… and creates fabulous hats indeed! She has held a Royal Warrant since 2014. Her Majesty the Queen wore her stunning creations on many high-profile occasions. It was a thrill to interview Rachel. I thought you, too, may wish to know a few noteworthy hat/fascinator facts for the Kentucky Derby, Royal Ascot, or for that matter, any hat-wearing occasion:
~How do you decide what side of a lady's face a hat should be tilted?
“Traditionally, hats always tilt the same way. The brim of a hat always dips over the wearer's right eye and lifts over the left. This is how we always make them. A smaller pillbox hat is worn over the wearer’s right eye. (Occasionally, we make them the other way at the client’s request.)”
~Which side of a hat is trimmed (decorated) for a woman and for a man?
“Traditionally, a lady’s hat is most often trimmed on the wearer’s right, and a gentleman’s hat is trimmed on the wearer’s left.”
~Do you ever repurpose a hat?
“For another event? Yes, absolutely! I can think of nothing sadder than a beautiful hat that is designed for a special event being put away and never worn again. Here in the UK, there are events where hats are required and in certain circumstances, certain size hats are required. I am, of course, talking about the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot, where the dimension of a hat must be no less than 10cm (almost 4 inches). Hats are also required for Royal Garden parties.”
What an honor to receive the gift of a pink, bespoke fascinator from Rachel Trevor-Morgan. She is known for her delicate flower creations, and without exception, these are exquisite. I have worn this on two occasions and simply adore it!
With the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III, which will be held on the same day as the 149th Kentucky Derby, I can only imagine how busy Rachel Trevor-Morgan has been creating bespoke hats! When I asked about the dress code for the Coronation for guests, they understand it to be formal dress and hats suitable for a church service or wedding, but that is not a direct quote from the Palace. Rachel is delightfully informative about the protocol of wearing hats and more, which you can read in my two previous newsletters, Part I and Part II.
So ladies, tilt your glamorous hats and fascinators to your right… and off to the races you will go in grand style!
Xx
Holly
P.S. Please be a dear and forward this to a friend who enjoys wearing hats too!
AND… I would like to extend a personal invitation to the first person to purchase 12 place settings of the Equestrian Collection 5-piece porcelain before May 6th, with this exclusive “Derby link,” to a private luncheon which I will host for them in either Palm Beach or Farmington, CT. Unbridled fun!