Its a milestone year for theKentucky Derby.
Everything’s hand-made in my style, so we don’t buy parts at all.
That is the point of focus that sets us apart from other hat designers.
It totally changed my whole outfit, White says of the intricate chapeau.
As soon as I put it on, I loved it, so I had to switch.
You have to go up and out.
Video by Lili Kobielski
So I just thought, Well I’m going to build the roses up on wire.
Moore used a sheer fabric as an outer layer, allowing more light to illuminate the wearers face.
The brim on this one is sort of sheer, which I like.
Photographed by Lili Kobielski
(The average price of her hats today is around $1100.)
I do the swirled top hats, which I learned to do with Rodney Gordon," Moore says.
“We made all thePhantom of the Operatop hats which were the traditional swirl.
Photographed by Lili Kobielski
The Derby is understandably one of Moores busiest times of year.
Since starting my business in 1994, we have sewn over 30,000 labels into my hats, she says.
Everything gets cut up, and drawn into patterns.
Photographed by Lili Kobielski
We can get a little tiny petal out of a tiny piece of fabric.
She continues, Some people insure my hats.
Theyre investment pieces that you’re going to pass on; theyre keepsakes.
And people have told me that they’re planning to save their hats and give them to their kids.
Or I may donate a hat to an auction.
When I first started going to the Derby, I never wore hats at all, White says.
Now, I wear em to horse showsnot ornate [ones], but the small versions.
People save their money to buy one of my hats, she says.
I’d have to save money to buy one.
And for those who appreciate the sentiment and craftsmanship attached to a Moore design, its a worthwhile splurge.
It brings you so much happiness.
