I was asked to submit a few hats for Kentucky Monthly Magazine’s April issue. They were doing an article on Kentucky Derby fashion history. I love vintage fashion and assignments such as this. Most of the pieces that I submitted were the smaller headpieces.

I was also asked to write a 100 word essay on what I liked about Kentucky. It was hard to narrow it down, but in the end, I focused on the fact that Kentucky was home to me. I’ve lived other places, many of which I enjoyed, but home is home.

There was a photoshoot to go along with the essay. Jan and I had fun brainstorming for it. Where to have it, what to do? In the end, we decided on doing the shoot at my family’s farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. The photographer ended up being Ed Boden, who took photos of me and my brothers when I was in my teens. Thirty years later, we worked together again.

I had to go shopping for a dress to wear. Most of my dresses are black and we thought that black just would not show up well in an outdoor setting. I found a purple dress at Ann Taylor that I fell in love with. Purple always works well in photos. Then to put a hat with it. I did an all black with fuchsia and lime accents. Jan is a huge help in putting colors together and thinks of great combinations.

By: Polly Singer