Feathers in our
Caps
Post and Courier
Footlight Director Plans for Future
"...We're collaborating with the Hat Ladies, a volunteer group of woemn that helps nonprofits, on the comedy 'Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,' " says Edwards."....
Women With Know How, on line Magazine: Archie Burkel cover and featured article
Charleston Magazine: Center for Women Purse Auction
Archie Burkel and Brenda Taylor pictured making a bid on a purse
Charleston City Paper: Recycled Style, Fashion fiends bond at Style Swap
It brought together fashionistas—a group that can sometimes seem intimidating and inclusive—in a fun, casual, and super-social setting. Everyone from local designers to Hat Ladies to regular Jane-style lovers were in attendance.
Post and Courier
A Passion for Hats
Top Hat, Archie Burkel
Why we exist: The Hat Ladies brings together women of all ages who have a genuine
love of hats of all colors and a desire to volunteer.
Motto: When you look good, you feel good. And when
you feel good, you do good.
What we do: The Hat Ladies activities (or “HaTpenings”)
occur monthly as well as yearly. We are “fun”raisers, lending our volunteer
support to the fundraising efforts of cultural, medical, educational, and social
organizations throughout Charleston. Photos from them all can be found under
“Volunteerism” on our web site, www.hatladies.org.h
Here is a sampling: Networking at our monthly Luncheon and a monthly HaTpy Hour, hat decorating at MUSC, bringing our song and dance program to assisted living facilities, docenting for preservation societies and The Charleston Symphony Orchestra Designer Show House, helping at medical walks and programs i.e. Race for the Cure, Autism, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, Toys for Debi’s Kids, working on Habitat Houses, awarding an annual Hat Ladies Scholarship to a graduating senior girl at Garrett Academy, promenading every Easter Saturday in honor of hat wearing traditions and in support of The ASCEND Foundation, dedicated to ending cancer
Our beginnings: The Hat Ladies started in early
2001. Simply wearing my hats elicited such a positive and wide-spread reaction,
I realized there was an interest in a hat-wearing group. I neither own a shop
nor have millinery skills. Nor do the vast majority of The Ladies. The raison
d’etre of this Organization is its bringing together the loveliest hat-wearing
Ladies in a spirit of camaraderie and community service.
Number of members: Although we have almost 200 members, we
are an Organization where members form deep friendships, while welcoming new
Ladies with open hearts. As one of our newest members, Jacquelyn Hall wrote,
“It's refreshing to represent an association that
maintains personal interaction and not just a membership number.”
Who can join: Any female who genuinely loves hats. Our members range in
age from 13-88, with every age in between.
Cost:
The annual dues are $25.00, described by members as “the best deal in town.”
Benefits: Being part of a
volunteer brigade of stylish Ladies who are making a difference; having occasions
to wear your hat(s); networking with some of the most wonderful Ladies; doing
things you have never done before; experiencing a rise in self-esteem; receiving
recognition by others that you are a Hat Lady; being invited to special events
by businesses and other organizations; having the opportunity to sell or buy
merchandise at select luncheon; advertising your business, special event, or
particular sale item
What makes your group different from the other hat groups in town? The Hat Ladies is a Charleston original. Its successful formula of fashion and compassion has spawned copyhat groups. We are flattered to be imitated. It is a feather in our cap to see our dream of hats returning become a reality. Although The Red Hat Society involves hats, it uses a red hat as a symbol to signify one has reached a certain age and earned the right to do whatever she wants; volunteerism is not a part of their mission and actually contradictory to it.
How does wearing a hat make you feel? Complete, comfortable, confident
Describe the most outrageous hat you’ve worn. Although I am small in stature, I do best in big hats which I call my “lamp shades.” In the privacy of my own house, in the company of a select group of friends, I once put on a lamp shade. It looked good!
What is the most memorable
comment you’ve received while wearing a hat? During our post-Promenade down
King Street, a gentleman emerged from a store and said, “It must be recess in
Heaven—look at all these pretty women.” A Hat Lady receives so many positive
comments, we like to ask, “At the end of the day, how many compliments are too
many?” Then there are all the toots of horns and thumbs up we get while walking
or driving down the street!
Describe your earliest hat memory.I was around ten years old. My
girlfriend and I went up in her attic and found a trunk with hats and scarves.
I draped the scarf around my neck, placed the hat on my head, and struck a “Oh
Dahling” pose for the camera. My hatitude was born that day.
When and why did you start wearing hats? I have always worn hats, but I started wearing them regularly when I moved to Charleston eleven years ago. With its kind and gentle climate (and all that humidity and sunshine) and its kind and genteel life style, it just seemed like the natural thing to do.
Where do you find your
hats? When I formed The Hat Ladies nine years ago, my answer would have been
very short. Now, however, stylish hats can be found at the drop of a hat, at
stores ranging from moderately priced to high end department stores and
boutiques. In fact, there is a better selection in Charleston than there is in
larger cities because The Hat Ladies have created a demand.We also have three
outstanding milliners: Grace at African American Gallery Chuma, Meyriel Edge at
Ashley Hall, and Magar from Magar Hatworks. The Hat Ladies even sell hats off
their own heads at our biannual Gently Used Hat Sale at Consigning Women. No one
ever need go hatless again living in Charleston.
Will you wear a hat on Derby Day? I am delighted you asked: We will be
wearing the best looking hats of any team at Brittlebank Park when The Hat
Dragons compete in the 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival that day.
Our participation is another example of our deep commitment to worthwhile
causes. We will, however, switch to Derby-worthy hats for the other Race later
that day!
A hat should be worn… Any time and any where…except in your own house (it
gives the message to guests you have a better place to be).
*****
The Hat Ladies are seen enjoying Charleston Fashion Week 2008
Charleston Magazine
Charleston Fashion Week
The Hat Ladies are seen enjoying Charleston Fashion Week 2008