A Tip of the Hat!

I wore this ensemble to the Kentucky Oaks in 2013, and I like it so much I just had to reprise it for Hat Over Heels at the IMA on May 8!  I had a blast embellishing what started as a plain peach hat and ivory sandals with bold coral flowers to coordinate with the Jessica Howard dress.  I'd wear it all Spring if I could get away with it, though the wide brim of the hat does obscure my peripheral vision - not so great to drive in!

Thank you to Current in Carmel magazine for covering Hats Off!, and for providing this lovely photo with some dear friends. From top left:  Michelle Mosgrove; Yours Truly; James Anthony; Jessica Benson Cox; Kristen Kociban Lade; Yolanda Taylor.

I wasn't the only one sporting a bold chapeau, as more than 150 guests filled the IMA's Deer Zink Pavilion dressed to the nines in dramatic headpieces and spectacular shoes for this luncheon benefiting the museum's fashion arts acquisition fund.   All manner of haute headwear was on display, from Derby hats and fascinators to turbans and completely unique designs crafted from walnut veneer, and even leather and spikes!  It was exciting and inspiring to see all of the fashion creativity in our city, and the fervor with which both men and women embraced the opportunity to revive what was once a wardrobe staple but now stands out as a statement.

Though I could go on, this short video produced by the Indianapolis Star's Michael Anthony Adams  provides a far better glimpse into the day's festivities and the visual feast of color and style than I might describe here.  We were also blessed with fantastic photographic coverage of the event by the Indianapolis Star, Sophisticated Living magazine, Current in Carmel magazine (p.24), and 505 Photo Studio (click the links to enjoy these great photos!)

Coby Palmer Designs created centerpieces perfectly suited to the hat and heels theme, placing red-soled topiary pumps atop classic hatboxes; the Prada flame shoes on the cover of the event program are ones I've coveted since their debut a few years ago, but haven't been able to fit into Red's Shoe Budget!  The design is so iconic it's been on display at MoMA and is part of the permanent collection at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto.

Of course, a lot of dedication and preparation goes into to putting on a fundraising event, even when it's one as fun to work on as this one!  Thus, I'd be remiss if I didn't express my deep gratitude to my Co-Chair, Tina Pasquinelli, who is an absolute whiz with spreadsheets and budgeting.  I also want to say thank you, thank you, thank you, to the following individuals who helped make the luncheon a hat over heels success:

Niloo Paydar, Fashion and Textile Arts Curator, IMA

FAS Board: Patti Curan, Elizabeth Taylor, Leslie Bailey, Danielle Smith, Angie Mercer

Hats Off Judges: Elizabeth Semmelhack, Nikki Blaine, Tracy Forner

Hats Off Planning Committee: Patti Curan, Murph Damron, Jean Easter, Barbie Gurwitz, Madison Hromadka, Clint Kreilein, and Celia Latz 

Lauren Lucchesi, IMA Affiliate Liaison

It was honor to work with these talented, stylish, and hard-working individuals!

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!