Friday, January 23, 2009

What's Left to Say, Part II - More on Aretha's Hat

I'm getting some notes from people about Aretha's hat (see video in my previous post, below).

Seems some folks don't really see the beauty I see in this hat.

Maybe its kinda like presidents.

Some of us don't see the same beauty in presidents either. BUT - that's not what I want to write about.

I'm still stuck on The Hat.

Here's the story of Aretha's Hat.

By COREY WILLIAMS Associated Press Writer
DETROIT January 22, 2009 (AP) The Associated Press

DETROIT - The calls began to flood Luke Song's hat shop not long after Aretha Franklin finished belting out "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at President Barack Obama's inauguration.

Franklin, who wore a gray felt custom-designed hat from Mr. Song Millinery, has inadvertently caused an economic boom for the South Korean immigrant's store.

Song said he wasn't prepared for the hundreds of calls requesting the hat with a Swarovski rhinestone-bordered bow.

"We even have a lot of men calling to get it for their wives, mothers and grandmothers," Song said.

The hat worn by the "Queen of Soul" was hand-molded and would cost upward of $500 if it were for sale, the 36-year-old designer said. Customers instead were offered a satin ribbon version for $179.

"They want the same hat, but they understand it's for the 'Queen' only," he said. "Ninety-nine percent said, 'That's fine. I'll get the next best thing.'"

The family millinery has been in Detroit for about 25 years, and Franklin has been a customer for about 20 of those years. The store also sells to about 500 boutiques across the country.

"We always make hats for her for high-profile events, so for us, the inauguration really was no big deal," Song told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The design for Franklin's hat came from two different hats at the store.

"She walked through the shop and said 'I want that bow (put) on that hat,'" he said. "She had the coat already, but she needed the hat to set it off."


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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL. Kaye, Aretha's hat was the star of the show. I admit, when I first saw it, I thought, OMG, a turkey hit her windshield. But it kinda grew on me.
(-:

Mr. Song's hats are gorgeous. Maybe Aretha has made hats fashionable again!

Pat Browning

L.J. Sellers said...

As I said, her hat was spectacular. I admire people who have the courage to wear bold clothes that please themselves, first. Her hat obviously pleased others as well.

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

Mornin' Pat & LJ! Happy Saturday!

Pat, Bringing hats back into fashion sounds grand to me - I love hats!

Donald and I haven't been invited to a wedding in a long time, but whenever we are, I always treat myself to a new hat for the occasion.

LJ - I admire those people also. That shows a huge amount of self confidence. The boldest I get is my cowgirl boots. LOL!

Julia Buckley said...

I loved Aretha's hat. I also loved her voice. I hadn't realized she was going to sing, and when she walked out, I found myself wondering, "Wow--how did they get Aretha?"

:)