Derby Days
Today is the Kentucky Derby(a big horse race in the US). I don’t really follow horse racing even though I live in the middle of the Pacific Northwest’s horse country. I do, however, follow this event….for the hats. It is one of the few events that American’s will break out the fancy millinery. I always admire the European fashion sense and flair for wearing hats. In the States, we just don’t wear hats like woman do in Europe. I am constantly lamenting with a Monty Python line “ People just don’t wear enough hats these days.” So…it was a complete pleasure to receive a fellow bloggers post in which she pointed her readers to the most amazing website for custom hats http://bvisayc556.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/hat-love/. I was immediately inspired. I had a few completely uninspired Barbie beach hats lying around so I decided to try my hand at “enhancing” them and am happy with how they turned out.
Given that the Kentucky Derby will be run today, I decided to show off the new hats on some girls I imagined were on there way to the race. Hope you enjoy.
Model: 2012 Integrity Workshop Poppy
Dress: Cynthia Rowley Barbie
Shoes: Mattel
Hat: Mattel enhanced by ITFDS
Model: Natalia Fatalé “Ready To Dare
Dress, Shoes, Jewelry: Natalia Fatalé “Ready To Dare
Belt: Mattel
Hat: Mattel enhanced by ITFDS
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
This doll is stunning as are the dress and hat!! I absolutely love pink!!! Your photography and creativity are wonderful!!
May 4, 2013 at 10:50 am
Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying the photos. 🙂
May 4, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Love your Derby dolls!!!!!
May 4, 2013 at 10:52 am
Thank you Peter! It’s still all about the hat isn’t it. 🙂
May 4, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Perfect for the occasion, thanks for the link and hope you have a great Race Day!!
May 4, 2013 at 11:34 am
Thank you for the link!! I obviously enjoyed the hats. 🙂 Thank you for inspiring us all with every single blog post.
May 4, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Gorgeous!! The two dolls are fabulous and very elegant with their hats! I loved the photos!
May 4, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Thank you!
May 4, 2013 at 1:12 pm
I don’t understand how they are standing. I know you’ve written you use “armature wire.” What kind and gauge? But more importantly, I don’t see how they are attached or leaning onto something. I have great Photoshop skills, so I could airbrush any stands out. But I’m a firm believer in creating a photo so retouching doesn’t have to be utilized. I do enough of that w/my film negs/slides of my early punk pix. That’s the number one question I always have: just how are they standing?
May 4, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Nothing special here…didn’t even use armature wire or strings. These ladies are simply leaning against the window sill. Of course….you don’t see the outtakes in which the doll falls over right when I take the picture…AAARRRGH.
May 4, 2013 at 1:13 pm
I wondered if they were leaning … ah, the magic behind the scenes … luck! Tee hee!
May 4, 2013 at 1:27 pm
I imagine there weren’t TOO many outtakes 🙂
May 4, 2013 at 1:30 pm
These ladies are definitely ready for the Derby. Great restyling!!
Demetria
May 4, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Thank you Demetria!
May 6, 2013 at 6:29 am