The nearly lost art of millinery couture is alive and well at the L.A. County Fair. More than 30 hat makers from the area participated in the second annual Hats Off! Contest, with L.A. luminaries Louise Green (Louise Green Millinery Co., Inc.), whose hats have been featured on “Desperate Housewives,” and Eloise King, who teaches hat making in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Los Angeles Milliner Yvonne Lewis, who teaches hand sewing and blocking to U.S. and international students, is coordinator for Hats Off! at the L.A. County Fair.
This year’s contest reflected the growing interest of young people in the art of hat making, noted Green. “It’s harder now to get millinery supplies, so artists are getting very creative with their designs.”
Contestants in the Hats Off! Contest entered their millinery creations in three theme divisions: My Fair Lady, Old Hollywood Glamour and Fabulous Fascinators.
Lee E. Duncan, of Torrance, won the categories of Best of Show (best overall display of originality and design) in the My Fair Lady division, Grand Prize (most wearable work of art with great style and commercial appeal) in the Old Hollywood Glamour division and Innovation (best display of innovative techniques and creative use of materials) in the My Fair Lady division. Carol Boyd, of Los Angeles, won the categories of Theme (most creative interpretation of the division) in the My Fair Lady division and Color (most effective use of color in design) in the Old Hollywood Glamour Division and Rowland Arcebal, of Anaheim, won the categories of Craftsmanship (most classic display of couture millinery techniques) in the Old Hollywood Glamour division and “Hatrageous” (most whimsical and over-the-top design) in the Fabulous Fascinators division.
Photos of the winning entries can be found at www.fairplex.com/fp/AboutUs/Newsroom/Media/mediahome.asp
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