The theme for this year’s Spring line is, The Rainbow Queen, inspired by Queen Elizabeth II and her colorful style.

Queen Elizabeth II famously informed fashion trends around the world for decades and I’ve always admired her unabashed love of color.

I believe she knew all about the joy that color can bring, and how it can lift moods and elevate spirits.

Over her lifetime, Queen Elizabeth made many exemplary fashion statements through the use of color, and along with being the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch, she surely holds the title of its most vibrant as well!

The late Queen had ties to rainbows it seems, even after she passed away.  In the days following her death, rainbows were seen all over England, especially in London and at Balmoral.  She was the Rainbow Queen to the very end.

With 2023 being the first year, in generations, that the world has been without the beloved Queen Elizabeth, it felt like such a moment to take…to pay homage to her beautiful style and love of color by creating a collection inspired by one who was so inspirational herself.

In the names of these new designs you’ll find The Queen’s beloved pups and horses, her residences and even her favorite beverage!

Here are some of the new designs from The Rainbow Queen, 2023 Spring collection.

More designs from this 2023 collection can be seen right now at www.hatsandveils.net and even more will be revealed in the coming days!

If you’d like a chance to shop, in-person, styles from The Rainbow Queen collection please join me at my 3rd Annual Hat Tea!
April 15th
Fasig-Tipton
2400 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY

11:00- Doors open
NOON: Afternoon Tea service begins, promptly

With your ticket you will enjoy:
– An elegant four-course Afternoon Tea service, paired with artisan teas from my tea line
– A live-model hat fashion show
– The pop-up hat shop, featuring the new 2023 Rainbow Queen Spring Collection
– Special guest & lifestyle blogger, Suzanne Smith (@CrazyBlondeLifeBlog), will join me in conversation to discuss fashion, food, and being fabulous at ANY age!

Tickets available at https://www.hollyhilleventsky.com/shop/p/hat-tea

I hope to see you there!

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Last December, I had an early Christmas present.  I found out that my hats would be featured at the Milliner’s Corner at the lovely and historic Keeneland Race Track!  My mind then started racing, turning over ideas for my Keeneland Collection, which consists of 45 hats and fascinators.  Many are one of a kind designs and are only available at Keeneland.

How do I get my inspiration, you ask?   Pinterest is my addiction.  I especially love looking at millinery designs that members of the Royal Family wear at Ascot.  Princess Sophie of Wessex is a favorite.  My newest designs are inspired by Sophie of Wessex

I will be at Keeneland on April 14, 15, 21 and 22nd to help you pick out your own Polly Singer creation .  Please stop by and say hello! I am happy to help you pick out the perfect hat or fascinator for the Kentucky Derby!

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This is always the time of year that I love, designing for the spring.   The hardest thing for me is not coming with new ideas, but having to edit my designs.  And of course, I love working with new colors.  I thought this chart was interesting in that it highlights the various feelings that color invokes.

Psychology of Color

I love working with color.  Anyone who has visited my house will tell you that it is filled with color.  Each room has a distinct color, whether it is a warm creamy yellow, warm terra cotta to soft ameythst upstairs.  I always enjoy the psychology of color too.  My design room went to from a blue/gray to Sherwin Williams Youthful Coral.

Youthful Coral

I have so much more energy now.  Color is so important with our feelings.  Can’t wait to finish the new hats!

The post Pantone’s 2019 Living Coral appeared first on Polly Singer.

I designed and donated three ladies hats to the  Kentucky Equine Humane Center.  This worthy organization captured my heart last year when I went to visit.  Being a long time champion of animal welfare, I was taken by these lovely horses and the mission the of the KYEHC to rescue, rehabilitate and adopt out these horses who had not had the best of lives thus far.

These three hats are available on ebay.  The bidding ends at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6th. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KyEHC-Handmade-One-of-a-Kind-Kentucky-Derby-Hat-Spring-with-Esprit-/161252067625?pt=US_Hats&hash=item258b5f4929

Any of these hats would be great for Easter, the races, an event or even the Oaks or Derby.

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Each year, Kentucky Monthly Magazine does a Derby Issue in April. This year, writer Melissa Burton came to my house and interviewed three different hat designers. It was a sun filled morning with Wales Hunter, the photographer, being the only male present among ten chattering ladies. Melissa brought donuts and we swore off our diets and indulged.

Angie, Tessa and Me sporting our designs

Angie, Tessa and I are very different in our backgrounds and design styles. However we all have the common tie of being designers and business women who love what we do.

The story behind Zola, which was chosen for the cover is unusual. While at FIT, one of my instructors told us to never throw out our scraps because you just never know when you may need something to finish a hat. I had dyed the fabric used in the Zola headpiece back in 2003 and just never found the right use for it. My husband and I moved to a new home back in December. While unpacking boxes, I found this material. I twisted and sculpted it, puttng it on a hat base. Then I added a few flowers and it was done. I almost did not take it to the photo shoot, but since it was little, I did.

Kentucky Monthly is a nice magazine. Even though I grew up in Kentucky, I constantly learn new things about my state from the magazine. It features wonderful recipes as well, so I walk away learning many things.

The post Zola Makes the Cover of Kentucky Monthly’s Derby Issue appeared first on Polly Singer.

Night and day, you are the one
Only you beneath the moon or under the sun
Whether near to me, or far
Its no matter darling where you are
I think of you.
Cole Porter

How often do we hear “I just can’t make up my mind!” ? Often enough. Once, a customer who just couldn’t choose between two hats, exclaimed in frustration “I wish I had two heads.” This may have been the point at which Polly’s new line, Night & Day had its inception.

Night & Day hats are in effect, two hats in one. A Night & Day is a classic wide brimmed hat fashioned in the finest parisisal straw — hand blocked in one of our three most popular styles. The trim, which appears to be slightly more lavish than usual, is actually a little fascinator which is detachable and furnished with combs and clips so it can be worn separately as a cocktail hat or for occasions when something a little edgier or more fun is in order.

There are a total of 11 hats in the line. So have your cake and eat it too!

To see the entire line, enter “Night & Day” in the key word search field on our Shop on Line page.

These hats are exclusive to Polly Singer, LLC and any duplications of these designs are strictly prohibited.

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As anyone watching the Derby knows, the race was a huge upset.
Mind That Bird shocked us all by winning. There was a huge thrill seeing the horses round that final turn and Mind That Bird go along the inside rail to surprise everyone. I literally got chills on that final turn. To see a horse that was 50-1, was purchased for $9,500 and driven up from New Mexico in a trailer, win the biggest race in America was amazing.

Winner's Circle

Watching the race later on tape, almost more touching than the win was Jockey Calvin Borel’s raw emotion and tears upon wishing his parents could have been alive to see what he’s accomplished. Hollywood couldn’t have written a better ending.

Calvin Borel and Mind That Bird

I will do a more in-depth Derby wrap up later. A few quick things:

1. The day was much colder than we had anticipated. Thank goodness Jan had brought a rain coat with her. I started the day in the sundress and cardigan pictured below, but had to borrow Jan’s coat to finish the day.

Polly at the beginning of the day

2. We saw many of our hats out and about. The best part was meeting clients who we had only emailed with and talked with over the phone.

3. Our biggest compliment of the day came from none other than Aretha Franklin. A client wearing one of our custom designs was approached by Ms. Franklin and complimented on her hat. Here is the hat pictured below in the center.

Now, time to catch up on my rest!

By: Polly Singer

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