Kentucky Historical Society
Do You Have Hat-A-Tude?

Don your Derby hat and join renowned milliner Polly Singer of Polly Singer Couture Hats and Veils as she designs First Lady Jane Beshear’s 2010 Derby hat at Hat-A-Tude. The event is set for 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 22 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort.

Singer has created unique fashions for a myriad of high-profile events, including horse races, polo matches, weddings and other social and charitable functions. She has designed Mrs. Beshear’s Derby hats for the past three years, and her work has been featured internationally.

In addition to watching the design process, guests will have a chance to ask Singer for tips on how to update their own Derby hats. They will enjoy light refreshments and sample the Derby’s signature cocktail, the mint julep. Prizes will be awarded for the most attractive and the most outrageous hats.

During the Hat-A-Tude event, guests will also have an opportunity to view several hats from the Kentucky Historical Society collections, including a sampling of church hats worn by African-American women and other special occasion hats. An unusual Derby mini-dress from the KHS collections will also be on display.

Guests can also view vintage hats from a collection on loan from Frankfort resident Stephanie Harding-Kalla. Harding-Kalla, a Frankfort police officer, has collected hats for more than 20 years. Part of her collection will be on view throughout the month of April at the Center for Kentucky History. Several Gallopalooza horses, including Black Jack, Hope in the Garden, Equus and Act II are also on display at the Center throughout April.

Ticket prices for Hat-A-Tude are $10 for KHS members and $15 for the general public. Reservations are required by April 19. Contact Julia Curry at 502-564-1792, ext. 4414 or by email at Julia.Curry@ky.gov.

The Center for Kentucky History is the headquarters of KHS. For more information on KHS, see www.history.ky.gov.