Category: Speciality Designs

150th running of the Kentucky Derby

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150th running of the Kentucky Derby artwork 2024 by Churchill Downs.

Vivian created a new picture hat for Hattingdon to wear for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. It is made with her traditional, signature red roses. Here she is modeling it for us.

Hattingdon has never looked prettier. We are betting she will be prettiest horse at the Derby! Some interesting Derby facts coming up below.

Susanna fashion hat with trio of Hattingdon's signature red roses and green leaves.

About the Derby

The Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the U.S. Among the many interesting facts about the Derby are:

  • The trophy which goes to the winner is made of real gold.
  • The red rose is the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. There are 554 roses in the winner’s garland, dating back to 1896. Each rose represents the renewal of life and endurance required to finish first in the demanding 1 ¼ mile race.
  • The rose garland weighs more than 40 pounds.
  • The Derby has an official cocktail—the mint julep.

Thank you for stopping by and see you again soon.

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Updated 1:44 pm EST.

Circular logo in white on Hattingdon brown blog footer.

Happy Mad Hatter Day

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October 6th is a day set aside each year to bring out our silly side while celebrating National Mad Hatter Day.

Hattingdon loves wearing silly hats. In honor of Mad Hatter Day, here she is modeling the hat made especially for this day.

Midge Mad Hatter Hat 2016. Featured Image.
Midge Hattingdon.

The fictional character, The Hatter (also known as The Mad Hatter) from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, is typically acting silly, and that is how the creators of this day decided on their theme of silliness for National Mad Hatter Day. Sir John Tenniel illustrated The Mad Hatter and all of Lewis Carroll’s colorful characters beginning in 1864. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published in 1865.

The phrase “mad as a hatter” comes from the late 18th and early 19th centuries when haberdasheries used mercury nitrate. The exposure to this metal over time caused the tradesmen to develop symptoms making people believe they were mad.

Hattingdon H Logo in her signature brown.

©Vivian J Grant. All Rights Reserved.

Updated 10.08.22

Kentucky Oaks time

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Hattingdon's Lily Picture hat created by ©Vivian Grant Farrell.

It’s Kentucky Oaks time, Friday, May 3rd, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. You can see what Hattingdon wore last year above. Remember?

This year Hattingdon — instead of wearing something “sporting” like her Lily top hat — is wearing a gorgeous vintage picture hat. Lovely.

Hattingdon's Lily Picture hat created by ©Vivian Grant Farrell.
Lily Picture Hat for the 2019 Kentucky Oaks

Oh, let’s take a look at what Hattingdon wore last year too. Remember?

Lily Top Hat made for the 2018 Kentucky Oaks.

Tune in tomorrow to see her Derby Hat. Hugs and kisses and millinery blisses, Hattingdon.

Hattingdon H Logo in her signature brown.

© Vivian J. Grant.

Cara in black

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Hey there. January 2019 is almost done. How has it been for you so far?

Our Hattingdon is on a cruise. A very long cruise. She packed up her hats and went sailing. We’ve been busy in her absence though.

A dear friend of Hattingdon’s who loves the Cara lampshade hat wanted it in black. So Vivian made it for her.

Of course, the hat being solid black was quite fetching looking, but not festive enough. So Vivian embellished it with a golden interior and shiny golden stars on the exterior. Darling!

Cara black lampshade hat with golden accents.

So, what do you think? We hope it has brightened your day and given you a Hatful of Smiles™!

• More lampshade hats »

See you again soon. Hugs, Hattingdon.

Hattingdon H Logo in her signature brown.

© Vivian J. Grant. All Rights Reserved.