HOUSTON'S ROYAL ASCOT 2009, June 23rd
The Royal Ascot is a major race horsing event orginated in the United Kingdom which also celebrates the Queen of England's birthday. Hat DIVA, Michele Owens, celebrates the occassion in high style sporting her designer hat from the Hollywood Hat Diva's Collection at this years Houston's Ascot event.
. 
Hat and Best Dressed Gent Contest Judge - Michele Owens of Ultimate Hat Diva w/ Dr. Robert Howard
British-America Business Council - 2009 Royal Ascot
Members and guests of the British-American Business Council Houston had a fabulous day at the Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, 20 June, 2009 in celebration of the Queen's birthday and Royal Ascot.
Paul Findlay was the big winner of the day taking home 2 round trip tickets Houston to London graciously provided by British Airways.
Kimberly Wilson of Maxwell Drummond, Michele Owens of Ultimate Hat Diva and BABC Executive Director Becci Himes served as the judging panel for the Best Dressed Gent and Best Ladies Hat contests.
Tony Hogg was awarded Best Dressed Gent for his traditional Ascot morning coat ensemble and took home a $150 gift certificate good for a custom made shirt from Vincent Ford Apparel. His lovely wife, June Hogg, captured the Best Ladies Hat title for her beautiful black and white themed ensemble. Her prize was a $150 gift certificate to La Mode Lingerie graciously provided by Susan Ward Freeman and Fay Clark of The Alden Houston.
A special thank you to our event sponsors!
Royal Enclosure Sponsor: RBS, The Royal Bank of Scotland
Queen's Birthday Reception Sponsor: Wood Group
Corporate Tables: Eagle Oil Tool, Maxwell Drummond International, Kent Group International, Faithful+Gould |
Sunday, Morning Live Show Mother's Day 2009
MAJIC 102's & Owner of the Breakfastklub, Marcus Davis, has some fun with hats from the Ultimate Diva's Designer Hats. Pictured in background Hat Diva, Michele Owens & on air personality & Dr. J. Thomas Smith.
__________________________________________________________________
Aretha Franklin’s church hat in high demand
By JOY SEWING Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Jan. 25, 2009, 5:59PM
Paul Sancya Associated Press
Luke Song, 36, designed the hat Aretha Franklin wore while singing My Country ’Tis of Thee during President Obama’s inauguration. Song says orders have poured in from around the world for the church hat.
The milliner who designed the now-famous bow-tied, Swarovski-crystal inaugural hat that Aretha Franklin wore for her inauguration performance has run out of fabric.
After getting thousands of e-mails and phone calls from across the world, Luke Song said he has so many orders he’s exhausted his supply of fabric. Now his 500 vendors, including several Houston stores, will have to wait at least a month until they get the hat.
“I’d thought I would just get a mention in the local newspaper, but I never imagined this,” said Song, who runs his family business, Mr. Song Millinery, in Detroit. “I knew it was going to be a momentous occasion, but this is mind-boggling.”
Franklin has been a Mr. Song Millinery customer for 20 years, said the designer, a graduate of Parsons the New School for Design.
For last week’s occasion, she wanted a style to frame her face and to match her gray coat and gloves, he added. The hat took two days to create.
A similar style in 20 spring colors and lightweight fabrics will sell for $150-$250.
Michele Owens, owner of Ultimate Divas Hats in Houston, says she has about 20 orders for the “queen” hat and should have it in stock by late February. (Her boutique is inside the Black Heritage Gallery, 5408 Almeda, 281-277-0690.)
Mr. Song Millinery is known for its bold, statement-making church hats. Song’s designs have been worn by gospel-music legends from the Winans to the Clark Sisters. He designs about 200 styles a year, selling them to stores in California, Dallas and Houston.
Song said many customers want this hat because it’s a part of history.
“I voted for Obama, and I lobbied people to vote for him,” Song said. His voice was choked with emotion. “The change he talked about is happening. That moment changed all of our lives.”
|
