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______________________________ Current Auction Hat The
Derby Hat Collection by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® ______________________________
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The
Tenth Annual
The
“Archies Echo” Hat
__________________________________________________________________ For the tenth consecutive year, MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® of Cape Cod and Old Friends of Kentucky are teaming up again for an unparalleled online shopping experience that began January 1st with their "Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby" auction. This unique Derby hat fundraiser is an annual event which features one-of-a-kind couture Derby hats created and donated by couture milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® to benefit the retired racehorses of Old Friends.
The
third hat up for bid in our 2019 Hats Off to the Horses auction
series for Old Friends honors Kentucky-bred gelding, Archies Echo
who at 30 years old is one of the oldest retirees at Dream Chase
Farm. The chestnut son of Palace Music competed during his racing
career for modest purses and winnings at Atlantic City, Suffolk
Downs, and Rockingham Park. Retired in 1995, Archies Echo was
discovered twenty years later at a slaughter auction facility,
blinded in one eye. Special thanks to Parx Racing Vice President
Sam Elliott who purchased him, Turning For Home who provided his
transportation, medical care and a temporary home, and longtime
trainer and Thoroughbred advocate Lorita Lindemann who
facilitated his retirement to Old Friends in June of 2015.
The
“Archies Echo” chapeau is up for bid from March 1st
through the 11th. All proceeds from the sale go to Old
Friends Thoroughbred Retirement.
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When I asked Old Friends volunteer, Beth Shannon her impressions of Archie she responded, “He's one survivor, I can tell you that. He was in pretty dire condition when he came to us, saved out of a kill auction, but with care and love he's thrived marvelously. He's one of our oldest residents, and has also had dental and other issues, but his grit and spunk just keep on keepin' on. I guess he's a bit spoiled these days, but he deserves it and we love him dearly.”
As a low level claimer, Archie changed hands often and as a result he never had his own official racing silks. When it came time to determine the colors of Archie's chapeau, Beth's advice was invaluable to me, "I think Archie's favorite colors are rose-gold, the color he is, and green, the color of the beautiful grass he can laze, graze and nap on at will; the color of this happy, safe last part of his life."
The resulting hat design showcases Archie's rose-gold coat, his safe new home at Old Friends along with his gentle spirit. The foundation of the hat design was created out of blush dupioni silk overlaid with gold lace to create a rose-gold color effect.
For the trim centerpiece, a single large rose was fashioned out of three swirling layers of rose dupioni silk, rose organza and blush silk organza, and placed along the front crown of the hat.
The rose was then framed with a medley of Spring green crinkle organza leaves.
Five fabric “feathers”, a MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® trademark, were fashioned in varying sizes out of chocolate brown organza and layered and shaped to add a splash of dramatic detail to the floral trim.
A large bow handcrafted out of sage green metallic taffeta lined with Spring green crinkle organza was added to provide a stunning yet delicate “nest” for the floral-and-feather trim.
A sash made of sage green metallic taffeta was gathered to encircle the crown of the hat.
A large swirling gold-green button was added to the back of the hat for the finishing touch.
The lining for the “Archies Echo” hat was created from a soft rose blush satin to coordinate with the trims.
The finished “Archies Echo” hat design measures approximately 24 inches across, inclusive of the chocolate “feathers”. As a physical remembrance of Archies Echo, several strands of his tail hair were braided and woven into the trim of the hat, creating a unique, one-of-a-kind Derby chapeau that captures Archies Echo not only in spirit but in substance as well.
The purpose of this amazing millinery delight is to honor the life of Archies Echo and all of the horses who, thanks to the generosity of those who support their aftercare, now graze in the warm sunshine of Dream Chase Farm for the rest of their lives. "Sally Faith Steinmann's works of millinery art have raised thousands of dollars and a priceless amount of awareness for all these great retired athletes. Their stunning beauty and indescribable originality symbolize what one great artist can do to positively alter the lives of so many deserving athletes." - Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends Hats Off to you, Archie!
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___________________________________________________________________________________ To read more about Archies Echo, the horse, please click on the following link - Featured Horse. __________________________________________________________________ Bid as many times and on as many hats as you like during this running auction. For further information about the eBay bidding process, please contact Old Friends at 502-863-1775. If you don't desire to place a bid on a hat, please contact Old Friends to see about what other ways you might be able to help out at Dream Chase Farm. Freight charges will be at the expense of the winning bidder. Winning bidders, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery of your hat in order to ensure proper sizing. To view the couture Derby hats from previous auctions, please click on the following - Old Friends Hat Auction Portfolio.
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