Johnnye Hansford, designer and owner of JRH Millinery, had her original hat selected by The Kentucky Derby Hat Contest Committee. The handmade Silk Organza hat has a checkerboard brim and floral front. The hat will be displayed at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Kentucky from July 2005 to June 2006. “I was pleasantly surprised when I received this good news.” Hansford, who makes one-of-a-kind dressy ladies hats, received her training from Ann Albrizio at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her hats have been featured in local TV shows and in the media. In 1997 she won third place in the Fashion Designer of the Year Awards Contest. Johnnye also made a hat for entertainer Gladys Knight and her hat was on the July 2000 cover of Black Enterprise. Johnnye and partner Sterling Hansford have a design studio in Plainfield, N.J. “It’s the satisfaction of my clients that motivates and keeps me excited about designing and making hats."

She can be reached at: JRH Millinery, 120 W. 7th Street - Suite 217 - Plainfield, New Jersey 07060 - Ph:908-753-7214 email: JRHMILL@JUNO.COM

DIANE FEEN WINS AWARD FOR HUMOR WRITER: Yes, you heard it first. I was recently named top humor writer for the state of Florida by the Society of Professional Journalists. In today’s world it helps to have a sense of humor to navigate the ups and downs of contemporary life. Now if I could only take this award to the bank….

SAN DIEGO HAT COMPANY GOES HOLLYWOOD: Debra Messing and the Desperate Housewife gals are wearing San Diego Hat Company hats. Going forward they have pink checkered houndstooth hats, bright colored fedoras and wide brimmed braided hats (picked as O Magazine’s favorite in July). Lindsay Lohan recently picked a few newsboy and driving caps for gift bags at her recent 19th birthday bash. Keith Richards and Willie Nelson are wearing their cowboy hats and Blair Underwood and Joshua Lebar from HBO’s “Entourage” picked fedoras from their Menswear Collection. www.sandiegohat.com.

CASEY BUSH (of the Headwear Information Bureau) HAS HER SAY: From the NY Times: "According to one survey regarding romance on ocean cruises, 25% of passengers would jump overboard to save a hat. Only 13% would do the same to save a spouse."

Regis Philbin (Live with Regis and Kelly) accepted a hat "to complete his Sean John outfit" from co-host Kelly Rippa. The episode featured hats to accompany sun protection lotions. Accent Magazine fashion editorial featured: "Black men's fall fedora".

ROCKER GETS HIS STETSON BACK: ROCKER Bono from U2 got back his infamous Stetson hat from former stylist Lola Cashman, but it took a judge to consummate the deal. The hat has been missing since a 1987 Joshua Tree Tour. When Cashman tried to auction off the hat at Christie's in 2002, the rockers decided to sue her. Bono told the court that he had not given Cashman permission to take the hat. But Ms Cashman claimed the star handed it to her. At the Circuit Civil Court in Dublin, Judge Matthew Deery ordered Miss Cashman to return the hat. Who says hats aren’t an important cultural and sociological statement!