Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1105396
C O N S T E L L A T I O N C O N S T E L L A T I O N 00 WinStarFarm.com The Art of Hat-Making The pageantry of the Kentucky Derby is legendary: a cacophony of sleek horses, bred and conditioned for generations to reach that moment, colorfully outfitted jockeys, and well-dressed spectators in stylish hats. Many of the hats seen on the First Saturday in May and on other signature racing days at racetracks around the country, hail from Christine A. Moore Millinery, one woman's New York City operation. Moore has been named the Featured Milliner of Kentucky Derby 145, the second consecutive year she has received that honor. She becomes the first milliner to be recognized in subsequent years—which she recognizes as a big honor —but she didn't always have a true understanding of the Sport of Kings. Moore studied costume design in college, and then worked in regional theaters upon graduation. "I realized that I wanted to be more in control of the actual product, rather than a cog in the wheel of the product," she said of costume design. "I wanted to develop the whole thing from beginning to end, so I started to pursue fashion." Customers took to Moore's hat designs right away, but she found the fashion world to be very different to theater. "The blessing was that it was easy to start selling hats, but it was very hard to grow," she said. "You either needed to have deep pockets to do a lot of advertising, or you had to meet the right person at the right time. I didn't have connections in the fashion world at all." But out of the blue, a thread of connection was made. "One of my employees had a grandmother who lived in Louisville. After visiting her for Thanksgiving, she told me I should look into horse racing and the Kentucky Derby as a venue." By Emily Shields Combining her fashion and theater background, Christine Moore, the Official Milliner of Kentucky Derby 145, explains why an artist's eye is important to her success. Christine and Blake Moore OF ART HAT-MAKING THE C O N S T E L L A T I O N 120 WinStarFarm.com