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

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 7, 2011) — Celebrate Derby season and show off your Hat-A-Tude with the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS)! The evening of fashion, food and friends is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort.

This year marks the second year for the event and a new line-up of activities. 

After cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, fashionistas of all ages will enjoy a runway show featuring Derby apparel for every occasion and through the decades provided by Polly Singer Couture Hats and Veils, Lexington; Bella Rose Boutique, Lexington; Images Model & Talent Agency, Lexington; and Rosie’s Consignment Boutique, Louisville.  Make-up for the models will be provided by Ana Crane Simpson.

Singer has created unique fashions for a myriad of high-profile events, including horse races, polo matches, weddings and other social and charitable functions.  Her work has been featured internationally. Singer’s new line, Kate, which will be featured in the fashion show, was inspired by the hats worn by Kate Middleton and others at Royal Ascot.

Bella Rose Boutique, owned and operated by Betty Spain, is an award-winning clothing boutique in the heart of Lexington.  Spain, who has owned and operated Bella Rose for 30 years, is a recipient of the Lexington Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) 2010 Winners’ Circle Award. Spain is a well-known philanthropist in the bluegrass region, and is an active contributor and member of many organizations in Lexington.

Images Model & Talent Agency is owned and operated by Janie Olmstead. Olmstead was named Lexington’s Business Woman of the Year by NAWBO in 2002.  Images was named Lexington’s Small Business of the Year in 2003 by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. The company boasts an impressive stable of local talent and has received a wide array of national and international awards.

Rosie’s Consignment Boutique will provide several vintage looks at Hat-A-Tude.  Sarah Grady, who opened Rosie’s, formerly worked in the corporate sector for Ann Taylor, BCBG and White House| Black Market.  When Grady noticed a change in the economy—and the retail industry—she opened Rosie’s to cater to “recessionistas” in the Louisville area. Grady and her business partner, Susan Clines, operate Louisville’s “classy chic consignment boutique” in St. Matthews with an eye for both today’s trends and up-scale vintage fashions.

Highly-acclaimed makeup artist Ana Simpson Crane will help prepare Images’ models for their close-ups.  Crane obtained her master’s degree in Milan, Italy, and has worked for cosmetics lines like Urban Decay, Hard Candy, Toni & Tina and Mac. 

Guests at Hat-A-Tude can also take part in the evening’s celebration of couture by donning their own Derby apparel.  Prizes will be awarded for the most attractive and the most outrageous hats.

Ticket prices for Hat-A-Tude are $15 for KHS members and $20 for all other guests. Reservations are required by April 21. Contact Julia Curry at 502-564-1792 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.