A Look Back at Kentucky Derby 2019

I thought it would be fun to revisit some of last year’s Kentucky Derby fashion as this weekend will bring the running of the rescheduled 2020 Kentucky Derby without spectators. The 2019 Derby was our busiest season ever! In addition to doing Trunk Shows around the country, we had the opportunity to outfit and an entire corporate event of 20 couples which made for a fun fashion challenge.

When it comes to choosing a Derby hat, a daring few choose their hats before the outfit but most women (and men) usually choose their outfits first and bring them when they come to choose a hat. To start, we have you try on lots of different hat silhouettes to narrow down what you like and what best suits the shape of your face. From there we choose the type of fabric, and the best colors and trim to match your outfit. This customization process is what really make our hats unique and often times results in a one-of-a-kind creation.

Here are a few dress and hat combos:

From left to right: Lela Rose dress with custom “Le Portrait” hat, White House Black market dress with custom “Nouvelle Lune” fascinator, Vineyard Vines dress with custom “Jolie Femme” hat, Eliza J dress with custom “L’evier de la Cuisine” hat, Dolce & Gabbana dress with custom “Soucoupe” fascinator, red and white printed dress with custom “Jolie Femme” hat, Chiara Boni dress with custom “Plateau Composé” hattinator, purple eyelet dress with custom “Dramatique” hattinator, Trina Turk dress with custom “Flirter” fascinator, Frank Lyman Design dress with custom “Le Melon” hat.

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I really love bringing these fun pieces to life and adding the special touches that make each hat unique. The best part of Derby Season is when I get to see everyone in their looks at the track and I am very grateful that so many clients shared their pictures with me, which means I get to share them with you!

Country Living - May 2020

We’re thrilled that Country Living Magazine included our “Mini Martine” and “Mademoiselle” hats in their May 2020 Issue! The image has also been featured prominently in their Country Living Fair advertising campaign.

We made them a special version of the “Mini Martine” (it has an added touch of navy ribbon to compliment the gingham) and the “Mademoiselle” features a gorgeous vintage, taffeta ribbon in a coral and ivory windowpane print. Both hats are available to order by contacting our studio.

Mademoiselle - $488.00

Mini Martine - $298.00

Tales of Hat Repairs, Volume 1

I always tell people when they buy one of my hats, that they have to wear it and by that I mean to really wear it and take it on adventures far and wide. It's made from quality materials and it will stand up to life. Along with that, I also offer the caveat that if your hat has too much fun on its travels, as sometimes hats will do, just bring it in and in most cases we can revive it, not withstanding a battle scar or two.  

Here is an example from my own collection. One of my favorite hats for both sun protection and style is the "La Plage". This one is the original production sample that I made 4 years ago. It's traveled all over with me and seen it's fair share of beaches and manhandling by my kids. Like a great pair of jeans, the more I wore it the better it felt and the fraying band and cracks in the straw just gave it a bit of character along the way. But like all good things, her time had come and I could no longer feel good telling people I was a milliner while wearing a hat with a giant hole in it...

The good news is, my beloved hat and I did not have to part ways entirely. She was made from a high quality Panama straw and although the crown of the hat was not reparable, the brim was still supple and in great condition. So, "off with her head", I removed the crown and replaced it with a lovely linen crown and then I added a soft wire and ribbon binding to the edge of the brim. Volia, my beloved "La Plage" transformed herself into my new favorite packable hat, "Voyager". 

Click through the gallery below to see the process from start to finish:

Kentucky Derby 2017

Hands down, the Kentucky Derby is the busiest time of year here at JCM but also the most exciting! I love making custom pieces and challenging myself to create hats that enhance clients fashion choices while staying true to my design esthetic.

I thought it could be fun to share some pictures and behind the scenes from the lead up to Derby Day or as I like to think of it, the kick off the American Horse Racing Season (it's a long road to Breeder's Cup in November)! 

First we started out doing a fun collaboration with Lou What Wear, a fashion blog based in Louisville. I sent Danielle some hats and she mixed them with her fashion sensibilities to create a series of posts that really enhanced the hats and generated some beautiful photos which you can see below. She also did a nice interview with me that you can read here. 

Next up I did another collaboration with San Antonio Fashion Blogger and Stylist Kimberly Frick. I have followed Kimberly on social media for a while and inspired by her bright and playful style, I created a special, limited edition collection. We were both excited by the pieces and decided to hold an Instagram contest where we gave away a fascinator for Derby! See Kimberly modeling her hat as well as out Instagram winner, Ashley Grace Johnson of  Texas Fashion Spot in her fascinator on Derby Day below!

The best part of the madness is always seeing clients dressed and ready to go on Derby Day! Wether it is a Derby Party or direct from the track for the Kentucky Oaks or the Kentucky Derby the pictures never disappoint and I love seeing the complete outfits! A huge thank you to everyone who sent me pictures, they really do make me smile!

This year I spent Derby Day at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa where I had the pleasure of assisting women decorate hats for a Kentucky Derby themed party. It was a really fun event that was beautifully decorated with all best "Run for the Roses" details!   

Time to start thinking about next year...