Designer hats at Virginia Marti Millinery Show

Hats off to the
Virginia Marti Millinery Show
February 25, 2009

If you didn't know hats were in style, you do now! Big hats, small hats, berets and Victorian were seen in all their splendor Wednesday night as Virginia Marti College of Art and Design hosted a fashion show and lecture on hats.

As Head of the Fashion Merchandising Department, Shannon Reilly is not surprised at the popularity of hats. "Stylish women like to wear hats" says Shannon "They realize it completes an outfit and can set them apart from the crowd."

Mary Wojcik and Shannon Reilly

Even the younger generation love hats. Nine year old Erin Wagner says all of her friends wear hats and change them with their mood.

Jane Wagner and daughter Erin (9)

Of course the hats worn by Erin and her friends are more like berets than the amazing Victorian inspired hats worn by Lauren Loew, Pat Dever, Nita Anderson, and others. Lauren's entire outfit was vintage - her hat was from 1905!

Lauren Loew, Dee Hall and Heather Green

Many of the women attending were not professional designers, but enjoyed making their own hats. Lee St. Marie not only makes her own hats but chooses the hat first and then decides what outfit she is going to wear depending on her hat choice.

Lee St. Marie in hat she designed herself

Lee St. Marie

Barbara Lett says she wears hats often.

Barbara Lett

Designer Paula Singleton, who was just featured on That's Life with Robin Swoboda, acknowledged that "hats may not be as popular as they once were, but they have always been in style and will be back.

Designer Paula Singelton

The theme of the night was hats and the mood was fun, adventure and style.

Hat's off to these stylish women who took a fashion risk - and won!

ClevelandWomen.Com asked visitors which hat design they preferred and the most entries were received by Lee St. Marie followed closely by Paula Singelton. Congratulations!

Sample Comments: Love the Paula Singleton hats -the black & white check was too lovely. Also thought the hat worn by Andrea Walszyn was very dramatic!

I like the second frame from the last. The hats are simple yet elegant.

The plaid one with the brim and the fuschia bow by Designer Paula Singleton

Paula Singleton -- amazing variety of highly creative works of art

The hat worn by Cynthia Lundeen looks timeless

Pat Dever's hat is a classic

More Cleveland Women and their hats!

Virginia Marti Veith and Carol Mason

Cynthia Lundeen

Designer Donald Wasson

Gerri Szuter also makes her own hats

Jessica Giacobbe

Kathleen Benco with her own creation

Marlene Kobzowicz, Vaughn and Judy Boryczka

Nita Anderson wearing a Kathleen Benco creation

Pat Dever also made her hat

Carrie Sciano, Betsy Stretar, Judy Boryczka,
Christine Lee and Susan Koehler

Andrea Wlaszyn, Alexandera Houser-Vukoder
and designer Marta Glazen

Hats off to the Virginia Marti Millinery ShowFebruary 25, 2009

Hats off to the
Virginia Marti Millinery Show
February 25, 2009