Spring Hat Show

On Sunday, March 6, 2016 METC, in collaboration with the Milliners Guild presented their Spring Hat Show, a fashion showcase of over 50 handcrafted modern hats created by milliners from The Milliners Guild. Over 60 guests enjoyed the hat fashion show along with light refreshments, and the opportunity to purchase these one-of-a-kind hats. METC curator, Kristin Lapos also led a guided tour through the museum’s latest exhibit for guests during the early part of the afternoon. This event was a fundraiser for the museum that aligned with the exhibit, “The Milliner’s Tale: The Craft of Hat Making” which runs through June 29, 2016.

The show was directed by Monika Stebbins, milliner, co-curator, and owner of the soon-to-open Hat Shop Madison. Eric Hafen, Artistic Director of the Bickford Theatre, was Master of Ceremonies for the show. Modeling the gorgeous hats were former Olympian JoJo Starbuck, historian Janet Foster, acrtress/singer/musician, Deborah Fennelly, freelance marketer, Chris Anderson and former Madison resident, and pharmaceutical advertising exec, Leah Starker. Hair and makeup for the models was provided by Salvatore Minardi Salon.

The milliners showing hats were Kathy Anderson, Ellen Christine Couture; Conney Borda of EggCup Designs; Sally Caswell, Wanda Chambers of Once Upon a Hat; Cigmond; Anne DePasquale; Karen Hawes; Sarah Sokol, Monika Stebbins; and Barbara Volker. The Milliners Guild is an organization of milliners dedicated to the design, production, and promotion of handmade headwear.

“Hosting this Spring Hat Show, was a delight,” said Museum’s director, Deborah Farrar Starker. “It brought to the museum a new and enthusiastic audience whose love of fashion also included an interest in the craft of hat making and the history of this particular trade. We also want to thank our event sponsors, Irene Maroney, Rodger Herrigel, Andrew B. Boles and Codfish Park Design for their support.”

Explore American history with a focus on the life and stories of 18th- and 19th- century craftsmen and artisans. Drawing on its rich collection, METC is connecting the lives of people and their stories, while providing a bridge from the past to the future. Housed in a stunning Richardsonian Romanesque Revival building donated by D. Willis James to the people of Madison, NJ in 1900, METC offers something for visitors of all ages. METC is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 973-377-2982 x10 or visit our website at www.metc.org.