Arts & Entertainment

Hat Designer Louise Green Brings Vintage Flair To Fundraiser

The designer, whose hats appear at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores across the country, will highlight the McCallum Theatre's Muses and Patroness Circle's "A Hat Affair" luncheon & fashion show.

Saks Fifth Avenue's hat designer Louise Green looks to vintage fashion for inspiration of her collections, which will be on display later this month at a fundraiser for the Education Institute.

"I hopefully make hats that don’t stay on the shelves. I want women to come in and say, 'I have to have that. I love it,'" Green told Patch.

The "A Hat Affair" luncheon on Jan. 26 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, will be followed by a Fashion Show presented by featuring models wearing designer outfits and original hats created by Green.

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Green, who said she strives to make a "wearable work of art," will then appear at Saks in Palm Desert to talk about her designs, she said.

"I don’t ever copy vintage hats. I just take inspiration from them. I know they are going to be worn by the modern women. I’m always thinking of how they are going to be most comfortable and secure in them," Green said.

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But although the hats are vintage inspired, she still keeps up with contemporary trends. Her hats have appeared on TV, films and theater, and have been worn by celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Carlos Santana, Lea Michelle and NPR's Pat Morrison.

The demand for hats has skyrocketed since the Royal wedding last April, as well as the growing popularity of the Kentucky Derby.

"Women just got giddy with excitement over hats," Green said, adding that women are not looking for something simple.

"They end up buying something a little more, not outrageous, just a little more flamboyant."

She said that a renewed interest in period dramas such as Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire.

"Those have really created an interest in period dressing. We're selling a lot of 20s and 30s style. People who wouldn’t normally wear hats started wearing them," she said.

As for the ladies that will attend "A Hat Affair," she encouraged them to purchase a hat from her line and to bring in their outfit to Saks Fifth Avenue.

“The hat is the exclamation point of the outfit. It’s not what kind of hat. It’s the right hat," Green said.

The British native has been a designer and purveyor of vintage-inspired hats since 1987.

“Wearing a beautiful hat is like having a baby or a puppy. Everyone stops to admire, coo and talk about it," she added.

Learn more about Green on her website at www.louisegreen.com.


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