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Will's Way Hat -
Available for bidding on Feb. 1, 2010
"The Will's Way"
Will's Way, one of the most popular stallions living at Old Friends, is a magnificent 17-year-old bay stallion who surprised the racing world in 1996 when he beat Louis Quatorze and Editor's Notebook in the Travers Stakes. The strapping son of Easy Goer rocked the racing world once again in 1997 when he defeated Formal Gold and Skip Away in the Whitney Stakes. To convey this amazing athlete's physical size and warm personality, a wide brim hat in rich chocolate "bay" dupioni silk was created to match his magnificent coat. Multiple tulle layers extending well beyond the brim edge were used to further expand the overall size of the hat. An innovative sash and silk flower design were created in special colors, textures and shapes to bring together all of the elements of this stallion's conformation, pedigree and racing career.
To highlight Will's Way dark mane and tail, black dupioni silk was used for the underbrim to create almost a look of shadow as well as a contrast to the layers above. More than eight yards of black, espresso and chocolate tulle layers, carefully arranged from ascending dark to lighter tones, reflect Will's Way's magnificent coat, mane and tail glistening in the sun. Stunning drama from any angle...
The theme of Will's Way's dark mane and tail returns once again when black is combined with the royal blue and white racing colors of Rudlein Stables to create a truly innovative sash design. Royal blue satin, white dupioni silk and black satin were first layered, one upon the other, pleated, and then pinched to reflect the Stable's signature racing silks design consisting of a series of sharp, angular blue diamonds against a white background.
In celebration of Will's Way's glorious Whitney and Travers triumphs, two luxurious peony flowers were created. Layers of black silk organza and black satin form the background petals and were set in the front and back of the hat, almost like bookends, to balance the overall hat design. The center of each peony was filled with a single hand-rolled white silk organza rose curl, cradled in a wispy layer of delicate blue tulle to reflect the white marking so distinctive on Will's Way's forehead. The center of each rose is filled with blue buttons.
PRESS RELEASE: “Hats off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” an online fashion auction of couture Kentucky Derby hats, continues today with the fourth of seven hats that will go on the block to benefit Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.
The evening of February 1st Old Friends will open bidding on yet another stunning chapeau by Cape Cod milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of Maggie Mae Designs®.
This latest, one-of-a-kind, hat was inspired by multiple-stakes winner Wills Way, who has been retired at Old Friends since 2007. Bidding will be conducted for 10 days only.
Steinmann has donated each of the hats in the auction, which launched in November 2009 and will conclude with a final hat on the block April 1, 2010, just in time for the First Saturday in May.
“The Will’s Way” is a beautiful, wide-brim hat made of rich chocolate dupioni silk. The base is layered with more than eight yards of black, espresso, and chocolate tulle. Each tier is carefully arranged in graduating dark to light tones, resulting in stunning drama when seen from any angle.
Will's Way photo by equisportphotos.com
An innovative sash of royal blue, white, and black satins recalls Will’s racing colors, and two luxurious silk peonies represent his famous triumphs in the 1996 Travers Stakes and the 1997 Whitney Handicap. The center of each flower is filled with a single hand-rolled rose curl cradled in a wispy layer of delicate blue tulle to reflect one of Will’s most distinctive physical markings, his lovely white star.
Any hat for Will’s Way would not be complete without honoring his sire, the great Belmont Stakes winner Easy Goer. And so a red-satin lining was added to the inside of the chapeau. An integral part of the foundation, the lining signifies that Will was indeed born with the heart of a true champion.
Steinmann, who owns the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs®, is donating seven magnificent millinery creations to raise funds for Old Friends, the 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that is home to nearly 90 retired racehorses. Each hat is inspired by one of the retirees at Old Friends and will be auctioned monthly with 100 percent of the online proceeds going to Old Friends.
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Will's Way photo by flashpoint photography |
This unparalleled online shopping experience began in November with “The Black Tie Affair,” a hat commemorating the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 1991 Horse of the Year. It was followed in December by “The Commentator,” a chapeau for the two-time Whitney Handicap winner. January’s entry commemorated Florida Derby winner Bull inthe Heather. The auction series has so far raised over $2,000 for Old Friends.
To view the hats and to read more about Maggie Mae Designs® go to www.maggiemaedesigns.com. To bid on the “Will’s Way,” go to www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link. Bidding will be open until the evening of February 11.
Maggie Mae Designs® Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions – from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning and unique bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can been seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com |
To see the previous hats in the auction series check out:
Black Tie Affair - Commentator - Bull Inthe Heather and Little Silver Charm. |
