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______________________________ Current Auction Hat The
Derby Hat Collection by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® ______________________________
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Please join us once again for the The
Fifth Annual sponsored by For the fifth consecutive year, MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® and Old Friends are teaming up again for an unparalleled online shopping experience beginning November 1st with their "Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby" auction. This unique Derby hat fundraiser is now an annual event which features one-of-a-kind couture Derby hats created by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® to benefit the retired racehorses of Old Friends. To learn more about Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm and bid on the hats, please visit the Old Friends website, or call them at 502-863-1775. The fifth hat that is up for bid in our fundraiser auction series honors Kentucky-bred Silver Ray, a graded stakes winner rescued last year from potential slaughter. The 25 year-old dark bay gelding was retired to Old Friends in September, 2013 thanks to the kind efforts of April Smith who found Silver Ray at a livestock auction; Catherine Trope, founder of Polo Pony Rescue who helped the ailing 24-year-old horse back to health; the horse's original owners Ann and Jerry Moss (of Zenyatta and Ruhlmann fame) who helped secure him a spot at Old Friends. We are so pleased this year to have Rosie Napravnik modeling our “Hats Off to the Horses” chapeaux for us. Thank you, Rosie! A very special thanks also goes to Matt and Wendy Wooley of EquiSport Photos for their photo shoots with Rosie and the horses of Old Friends. Thank you as well to Bella Rose Clothing Boutique, Lexington, Kentucky for furnishing Rosie's stunning dresses for the photo shoots.
The "Silver Ray" Hat
Silver
Ray is described by volunteer Beth Shannon of Old Friends as a
horse who possesses “a graceful presence rather than being
brash or a show-off.” Beth continues, “Despite having
been through hard times he is kind and thoroughly loves company.
For a stallion he's very much into petting and love. He's about
harmony rather than dominance. But he's not a wallflower. He
comes right up to the fence to get his due, whether it's dinner
or attention. He's got a beautiful face and eye. I guess I'd sum
it up by saying he's got experience (horse equivalent of
sophistication), a quiet (but not shy!) grace of personality, and
the warmth of the Moss (racing) silks colors. And what an
evocative name!”
To celebrate his new home at Old Friends, an elegant Derby hat design was created with a unique blend of colors, tones and textures that showcases Silver Ray's nearly black coloring along with the imagery of his name, his gracious, friendly personality and the Mosses' racing silk colors of teal and pink.
The foundation for the “Silver Ray” design was fashioned out of a rich silver dupioni silk overlaid with layers of shimmering black tulle that create a shimmering “skirt” effect.
A stunning silver rose print brocade underbrim creates a luminescent effect when the wearer's face is upturned.
A single large Marguerite fleur adorns the front of the hat, created out of blush pink and rose pink organza for the petals, and a deep pink taffeta for the rose curl center.
This floral centerpiece is framed by a bed of leaves fashioned out of alternating layers of aqua blue shantung and organza. Slender organza “feathers” created in matching organza complete the trim design for a sophisticated yet playful effect.
A layered sash, created out of aqua shantung lined with aqua blue organza encircles the crown of the hat.
A single aqua button graces the back of the hat.
As a final touch the lining of the “Silver Ray” hat was created from a hot pink satin to coordinate with the trims.
The finished design measures approximately 22 inches, end to end, inclusive of the tulle “skirt” layer that spills over the brim edge.
As a physical remembrance of Silver Ray, several strands of the great gelding's tail hairs were braided and woven into the trim of the hat, creating a unique, one-of-a-kind Derby chapeau that captures Silver Ray not only in spirit but in substance as well. The purpose of this amazing millinery delight is to honor the life of Silver Ray 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. ”We ask of the thoroughbreds, and they give, they serve us with dignity and satisfy our needs to compete - we owe it to them to provide the retirement they so justly have earned.” - Fred Stone
Welcome
home to Old Friends, Silver
Ray!
__________________________________________________________________________ The “Silver Ray” is the fifth hat in our “Hats Off to the Horses” Derby hat auction series this season, and is up for bid from March 1st through the 11th, 2014. To read more about Silver Ray, 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. CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle Nicklay of North Dakota, winner of the "Sean Avery" hat that was up for bid in November! CONGRATULATIONS to Lynda St. Andre of Taunton, MA, winner of the "Patton" hat that was up for bid in December! CONGRATULATIONS to Pam Corrigan of Kingsport, TN, winner of the "Afternoon Deelites" hat that was up for bid in January! CONGRATULATIONS to Kristy Deyeso of New York, NY, the winner of the "Ball Four" hat that was up for bid in February! CONGRATULATIONS to Helen Shannon of Chicago, Illinois, the winner of the "Silver Ray" hat that was up for bid in March! To view the couture Derby hats from previous auctions, please click on the following - Old Friends Hat Auction Portfolio.
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