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Photos by Byron Kerman
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Working in concert, the smooth musicians, a silver-tongued emcee, and the ladies in church hats created a vibe that drove the spectators into a buying frenzy at the Hattitudes fashion show last Saturday at Afroworld. Before the catwalk was empty and the music could fade, a modest crowd was on its feet and rushing forward to try on hats, hats, hats.
The chapeaux, designed by New York-based milliner Harriet Rosebud, ranged from demure and elegant to saucy and outrageous; from neutral hues to violent, exotic colors; from brimless to cantilevered waaaaay out like the eaves of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. The show was just dazzling, and Rosebud herself emerged at its conclusion for a raucous standing ovation.
Hattitudes, which doubled as a benefit for Forest Park Forever, featured a group of local gals strutting their stuff at Afroworld, the landmark North Side shop and gathering spot owned by the Little family. The grinning models, crowned by Rosebud couture, reminded me of the 2000 book Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats, which, in turn, inspired a 2002 Off-Broadway play.
Hat-watchers have already figured out that the show was timed to fall amongst three of the biggest hat-related events of the year: the royal wedding of Kate and William (with many of the ladies in attendance topped by “fascinators”), the Kentucky Derby and Mother’s Day.
Afroworld's gifted emcee Victor D. Little
Talented keyboardist and and Minister John Fortson set the mood
Hard-working percussionist David A.N. Jackson joined keyboardist John Fortson to create fun and elegant live music.
Lucie Springmeyer, Senior Vice President of Forest Park Forever, gets into the act
It can be lonely for a guy at the Hattitudes show...
