HAT DAY IN THE CITY – NEW YORK CITY OF COURSE

The first Wednesday in May is the Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon in Central Park (it is known as "Hat Day”) Rejoice.

The FLO Awards Luncheon is hosted by the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy. Their mission is to restore, manage, and preserve Central Park, in partnership with the public, for the enjoyment of present and future generations. www.centralparknyc.org.

According to the DFR Daily Fashion Report the event was a fashion fest and HATS were on everyone’s mind. So that’s a good thing!

“The hats were fun and everyone seemed to be having a great time, so why not indulge our voyeuristic instincts on their hat day. As long as this was a joyous occasion (and did not mention the word swine or flu I figured we should add it to the newsletter. And, did you see the hat on Bette Midler (I met her and she never smiled at me).

Bette Midler grinning in PINK

Mrs. Al Roker (ABC Newscaster Deborah Roberts), and the Divine Miss M (Bette Midler), an avowed conservationist, were among the 1200 guests, who were at the splendid gardens. This year’s co-Chairs were Vicki Foley, Muffy Miller, Gillian Miniter, Tara Rockefeller, and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.

This is what the press had to say (a fashion disclaimer) “Glenda Bailey, Amy Fine Collins, Francisco Costa, Tory Burch, and milliner Eric Javits were among the attendees, this is not a ‘fashion’ event per se but a fundraiser attended by the city’s movers and shakers who are on a mission to help raise money to preserve this magnificent piece of heaven in our urban jungle.”

“Still, it is a fashion spectacle nonetheless, and hats (the more extravagant the better) have always taken center stage.” Whew, they said it.

Lookonline's Marilyn Kirschner (left) wearing a hat by Adrienne Landau and Patsy Tarr in Lanvin

Notwithstanding the popularity of hats and headpieces these days, (they were all over the recent runways for fall 2009) but many women never really feel comfortable donning a chapeau. However, this is one event where you feel almost out of place and positively ‘naked’ if you go hatless.

“You might look at yourself in the mirror beforehand, and have second thoughts about your choice, thinking you look a bit silly, but once you arrive at the entrance to the Conservancy and take in the spectacle, you see that it’s practically impossible to make too much of a statement.”

“This year, in addition to rakey fedoras, there were as usual, plenty of butterflies, birds, feathers, and colorful sky high and mobile like concoctions making arresting use of flora and fauna, some of which could do double duty as a table centerpiece, and which seemed like dangerous defensive ‘weapons’ and could conceivably poke someone’s eyes out, especially if you were trying to air kiss an acquaintance.”

Straw hat and Birkin bag (this little bag cost more than your car). My friend recently bought four of them to get back at her husband who took off with a 25-year-old (did I just say that?)

The event raised $2.1 million for the Central Park Conservancy.

DFR Daily Fashion Report