Looking for a Kentucky Derby hat? Here are 12 milliners you should check out
Unless you've attended in person, it's difficult to imagine the literal sea of big brims, feathery fascinators, and extravagant headpieces that overtake Churchill Downs Racetrack on the first Saturday in May at the Kentucky Derby.
Louisville goes a tiny bit hat crazy between now and the Run for the Roses, so to help you navigate your 2024 hat hunt, we've put together a list of Kentucky milliners to help you get started.
As any seasoned Kentucky Derby-goer knows, your hat isn't just an accessory — it's the statement piece of your outfit. Do you choose an elegant wide-brimmed hat or a sassy smaller fascinator? Will you celebrate trackside on Millionaires Row, or will your Kentucky Derby Day be spent at a house party with friends?
These are the questions a professional hat maker will want to know as they help you search for that perfect statement headpiece for the 150th Kentucky Derby, held this year on May 4.
And guys, you're in the hat game, too. Straw fedoras, boaters, bowlers, and Panama styles are popular fashion at the Kentucky Derby.
Milliners — professional hatmakers for the uninitiated — know just how important the hat is at the Kentucky Derby and how it can make or break your outfit. In fact, you can't toss a rose in Louisville during Kentucky Derby week without hitting a hat maker's display. They set up in hotel lobbies, clothing boutiques, museums, and specialty shops around town to help those last-minute or out-of-town shoppers find the perfect hat for Derby Day.
Rachel Carroll, co-owner of The Hat Girls, a Louisville millinery shop in St. Matthews and a Featured Milliner of the 150th Kentucky Derby, says savvy customers begin working with a milliner at least four to six weeks before Kentucky Derby weekend — which means time is already running out.
After reading through this alphabetical list, we suggest you spend some time on the website of these milliners viewing their 2024 collections. Each designer has a signature style and many will list trunk shows, hotel lobbies, and other special pop-up events where they will be set up in the weeks leading up to the races.
With so many options, we're sure you'll find one that speaks to your Kentucky Derby spirit.
Shop Kentucky Derby hats from these milliners
Attitude by Angie
Angie Schultz has been making hats in Louisville for more than 20 years.
"A hat is a perfect way to 'blend out' and make a personal statement," said Schultz. "It always amazes me to watch women try on their hats and visually see the assurance and confidence it brings them."
SHOP: Online at attidudesbyangie.com and Rodeo Drive, 2212 Holiday Manor Center. Schultz will host a virtual hat trunk show on April 16 from 7-9 p.m. Download the "Shop Rodeo Drive" app and sign in for an evening of gorgeous hats and Derby fashion. Or stop by the Louisville Marriott Downtown, 280 W Jefferson St., on May 2-4 where Schultz will be selling her designs.
MORE INFORMATION: AttitudesbyAngie.com or call 502-419-3600.
Christine A. Moore
The original Featured Milliner of the Kentucky Derby, Christine A. Moore is a New York City-based hat maker who travels throughout the country to outfit men and women in the perfect hat. From the Kentucky Derby and The Belmont Stakes to the Santa Anita Racetrack and the Breeders Cup, Moore has an international following of devoted customers who love her elegant hand-painted silk flower petals, comfortable designs, and custom hand-created touches.
SHOP: Moore spends a great deal of time during the Kentucky Derby season at Rodes for Her, 4938 Brownsboro Road. She'll be on hand at Rodes to assist you April 18-20. Moore's designs are also sold in the gift shop at the Kentucky Derby Museum.
MORE INFORMATION: For custom-made hats, visit Camhats.com. For questions, call 212-279-1775.
Derbyologie
Fabulous fascinators — think "fun on a headband rather than a wide-brim hat" — are Mary Julia Kaiser's specialty. An official milliner of the Kentucky Derby Museum and owner of Derbyologie, Kaiser creates a spectrum of styles from graceful to gutsy using traditional millinery materials with modern textures, generous feathers, imported fabrics, and hand-sewn details.
SHOP: Find her creations online at etsy.com/shop/derbyologie or locally at the Kentucky Derby Museum gift shop, Dillards, Pink Tag, Oxmoor Centre, Six Sisters, That Cute Little Shop, and Lulubelles.
MORE INFORMATION: etsy.com/shop/derbyologie
Formé Millinery & The Hat Shoppe
Jenny Pfanenstiel, the owner of Formé Millinery, is a featured milliner of the Kentucky Derby and an official milliner at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Known for her use of vintage techniques and materials like ribbon and embellishments to create high-quality modern hats with flair, Pfanenstiel owns Formé Millinery, 1009 E. Main St., Judith M Millinery Supply, 115 E. Main St. in La Grange and The Hat Shoppe, a new store in the Shelbyville Road Plaza where customers can work with a designer to create their own Derby hat or pick up the materials to make one at home.
SHOP: Formé Millinery, 1009 E. Main St., The Hat Shoppe, 4600 Shelbyville Road, Suite 214, and Judith M Millinery Supply, 115 E. Main St. La Grange. Pfanenstiel's designs are also sold in the Kentucky Derby Museum gift shop.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit Formé Millinery online at formemillinery.com or call 773-719-7307. Visit The Hat Shoppe online at thehatshoppelouisville.com or call 502-618-0186. Visit Judith M Millinery Supply online at judithm.com/ or call 260-499-4407.
The Hat Doctor
One of the Kentucky Derby Museum's official milliners is Ilana Kogan, a full-time radiologist who loves creating headpieces for the Kentucky Derby. Originally from New York City, Kogan moved to Kentucky to attend medical school. Her business began when she started creating Kentucky Derby hats for her classmates by reconstructing and embellishing hats on students' budgets. Today her handmade, one-of-a-kind designs showcase her love for creative silhouettes and delicately embroidered details. Kogan will add free customization such as feathers at no additional charge to any existing hats in her shop.
SHOP: Find her hats at her Etsy shop, her website thehatdoctor.com, or in the Kentucky Derby Museum gift shop.
MORE INFORMATION: thehatdoctor@yahoo.com and Instagram @the.hat.doctor
The Hat Girls
Friends since high school, The Hat Girls, a.k.a. Rachel Carroll and Kate Smith, are the Official Hat Designers for the Kentucky Derby Festival and Featured Milliners of the Kentucky Derby. The duo has built a devoted following of fans who love their feather and dramatic fascinators and hats. Not sure how to style your look for the Kentucky Derby? The Hat Girls' Instagram page and website include complete wardrobe suggestions including dresses, shoes, purses, and accessories to coordinate with your headpiece.
SHOP: Browse for your favorite look at thehatgirls.com or stop by The Hat Girl's boutique and studio at 211 Clover Lane.
MORE INFORMATION: thehatgirls.com and Instagram.
You may like: Courier Journal publishing '150 Years of the Kentucky Derby' coffee table book. How to pre-order
Hat Haven Milinery
Hat Haven is a second-generation millinery hat shop that has been making custom hats and fascinators since 1997. Hat Haven was started by Kathey Schickli Hopkins who passed her love of hat-making onto her daughter. For 2024, Hat Haven has created a special collection of hats and fascinators for the 150th running of the Derby. Each headpiece features jockey silk remnants from Becker & Durski Turf Goods. Becker & Durski make all of the silks for Churchill Downs.
The Hat Haven holds an annual pop-up shop at the Hyatt Regency Louisville in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Customers can shop a large selection of custom and ready-to-wear ladies’ hats, fascinators, men’s hats, and boutonnieres.
SHOP: Pop-up shop at the Hyatt Regency Louisville, 320 W. Jefferson St. April 30 to May 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: hathaven.com
Hats Off by Helen
Helen Overfield designs hats and fascinators for race fans under the name "Hats Off by Helen." Besides the fancy feathers, flowers, ribbon, and trim embellishments, each unique Hat's Off creation is creatively named with titles resembling the announcer’s call of the fastest two minutes in sports. Names such as "Winner by a Nose," "Fleur de Filly," and "Pink in the Paddock" add to the headwear experience. As a bonus, each headpiece comes with two "lucky boxed exacta numbers" specific to the buyer's hat.
SHOP: hatsoffbyhelen.com, Esty shop, and Facebook page "Hats Off by Helen."
MORE INFORMATION: hatsoffbyhelen.com
HeadCandi
When you want to wow the crowd, milliner Britni Knable is up to the task. Based in New Albany, Indiana, Knable specializes in custom hand-crafted fashion-forward hats, fascinators, and accessories. Her Etsy page includes hundreds of HeadCandi pieces.
Looking for a custom piece? Visit her Etsy page for the five easy steps to finding your perfect custom hat or fascinator. For those who want to try on a headpiece, Knable's designs are available at House of K Boutique,121 East Market St., in New Albany, and in several local stores listed on her website.
SHOP: etsy.com/shop/headcandi and shopheadcandi.com
MORE INFORMATION: Visit shopheadcandi.com, call 502 643-2425 or e-mail Shopheadcandi@gmail.com.
Mad Hatter 502
A Louisville native, Melissa Huff started making hats in 2017 for her friends and eventually formed her hat business, Mad Hatter 502. She eventually opened the boutique Mamili in the NuLu Marketplace and provides head-to-toe outfits for ladies and fedoras, ties, socks, and more for men during the Kentucky Derby season. Huff is one of the Kentucky Derby Museum's featured milliners and will be on hand Sunday, March 24 during the Museum's fashion show and Derby celebration to help you style your perfect outfit.
SHOP: Mad Hatter 502 is located at 826 E. Main St., Suite 102, directly behind Mamili at 826 E. Main St. The Mad Hatter 502 products are also sold at the Kentucky Derby Museum.
MORE INFORMATION: 502-384-4450 and follow Mad Hatter 502 on Instagram and mamili502.com.
The Mill by Kenzie
Kenzie Kapp discovered her passion for fashion at a very young age. The colorful fabrics and assorted patterns throughout her grandmother's sewing room inspired curiosity and intrigue in the then-adolescent Kapp. After graduating with a Bachelor of Design specializing in Fashion Design from the accredited University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning, Kapp opened The Mill and has been designing one-of-a-kind custom headpieces ever since.
SHOP: The Mill by Kenzie is located at 400 E. Main St, Unit 100, or on Facebook at KenzieKappLLC.
MORE INFORMATION: Kenzie@kenziekapp.com or call 502-771-1286
Nice Hat
Shawn Siener has come out of the starting gates strong! She opened her Nice Hat boutique in February and has personally handcrafted more than 400 fascinators and Derby hats. Her specialty is her hand-sewn flowers which she uses to embellish her designs. Nice Hat refers to the comments customers receive when they show up at the racetrack or a Kentucky Derby party in a one-of-a-kind creation. The store also sells men's hats and accessories.
SHOP: Nice Hat is located at 11750 Shelbyville Road
MORE INFORMATION: nice-hat.com or call 502-612-1557
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Find Kentucky Derby hats for women, Kentucky Derby hats for men
