Analogue Chic

Posts Tagged ‘hats’

It's not just an expression or a song lyric– the Easter Parade is real!

I've been talking about the NYC Easter Parade for years– witness this post from 2009 which did not survive the trip to my new web honst intact, and this post from 2011 in which I attempt to foment Easter bonnet rebellion.

Well, thanks to that mini obsession and the grace of the internet gods, a German TV producer contacted me to appear on their New York Easter segment and do a hat decorating how-to, and accompany them to the Easter Parade. Heck yes, I said!

I don't think I can mention the show until it airs in Germany, but it's directed to tweens and teens, and has a very energetic and cute host that I want to go shopping with. M&J Trimmings in Manhattan was kind enough to lend us space to film the glue gun fest last week. And I met up with crew again on 5th Avenue Sunday to run around looking at everyone's hats, and presiding over an impromptu hat contest.

And this is what I saw:

And if Flash isn't working for you, you can see the photos right here.

One of the highlights for me was seeing Tziporah Salamon, who is often featured on Advanced Style.

I love that the "parade" is a totally organic, unorganized, people's festival that just happens every year, same time, same place – it's pure New York tradition. And it's incredibly fun. I highly recommend it.

I recently watched Les Demoiselles de Rochefort – The Girls of Rochefort, an adorable 1967 French musical starring Catherine Deneuve and her sister Francoise Dorleac as twin sisters with song and dance aspirations.

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Mega millinery is now up for viewing at the Danbury Museum. Read my preview here, with an interview with the guest curator.

And here's what folks were wearing at the exhibit opening this past Saturday, June 4:

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Local fashion-related events, in no particular order.

19th Century women's shoes from the collection of the Mattatuck Museum

The documentary biography of renowned street-style photographer Bill Cunningham is playing at Bethel Cinema again this week. HIGHLY recommended if you are interested in fashion, photography, NY life, or just stories of interesting people.

The Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury has an exhibit through September illustrating themes in interior decor and objects of daily life, including costumes and textiles.

The Danbury Museum will be opening a major exhibit of women's hats spanning 3 centuries, on Saturday, June 4. Look for my interview with the guest curator, this week at The Mercurial.

You may recall we had a little fashion philanthropy picnic last weekend. 

It was bloody warm, the turnout was a bit disappointing, and everyone but my husband and I was hungry because apparently, they did not read the part of the invitation that said "Please bring your favorite picnic munchies…"

But those who did attend were quite good-looking, and did an awesome job putting together not just fabulous hats, but amazing period-referencing costumes.

It was basically like this:

with less wine and less bicep. Sadly.

But, more croquet!

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Cyana Trendland tipped me off to a fabulous Indian designer/stylist calling herself Shilpa Chavan (Little Shilpa).  I am in love– this is a girl after my own heart, constructing beautiful, weird, poignant and pointed headgear and accessories.

Her Mumbadevi collection was inspired by and utilizes materials from the streetlife of Mumbai.

These images via Masala Chai.

Another amazing collection, for a group show called "Invasion of the Unidentified Female Object", utilizes everyday objects typically used by women: hair combs, bras, kitchen utensils.

I also especially love her militaristic collection for Fall/Winter 2009 – it’s a gorgeous, thoughtful blend of military items, traditional textiles, and colonial influences.  And the contrast between the photos of from her runway show (whimsical and sassy) are an interesting contrast to the styled settings in her lookbook (nostalgic and kind of sad).

She’s got a clear voice here interpreting daily life through millinery and accessories.

Here’s an interview with Shilpa from an online magazine for kids, where she explains a bit about her inspirations and her use of hats as a medium.

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More disturbing bunny images here - WARNING: do not click this link if you are under the age of 12, or easily weirded out…

A fabulous woman once said, "Listen– I love Jesus, but I drink a little."

That’s kinda how I am: I think Jesus was great, but I don’t celebrate Easter as a religious holiday.  I do love bunnies, chocolate, springtime, and hats, though– and I love them all even more in outrageous rainbow colors.

So I’ve decided that I’m going to start going full tilt, fashion-wise, for Easter from now on.

Here’s my Easter bonnet for 2009, a vintage Jack McConnell.

It’s a few sizes too small for my noggin, so I have to wear it kind of high on the crown and low on the forehead.  But I think it works.  And, a plus, I don’t have to take it off to get in the car.

I really wanted to go to New York for the Easter Parade this year, but had a lovely time with my family instead.  After seeing these pictures, though, I’m totally going to brave the City next year.  Oh my stars and garters…

Parade photos by icedgrandesoylatte and charlestm.