Wow, Kentucky Derby is Over

Glenn and I had the opportunity to attend the Kentucky Derby 140th Running for the Roses last week. More importantly for me was the opportunity to participate in the Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest wearing one of my latest creations( hat that is). No diamond watch came home with me:(

My hat was ready, i was ready and the long line began. I was about #7 in line to walk the pink carpet but by the time I got to the beginning of the line I was #51 to strut ( did I really say that? LOL!) the pink carpet.

So you can see how anxious all the ladies were to get to the front of the line and push to get those prized numbers identifying them. There were enough numbers for all if us. 200 to be exact. It was fun taking pics of all the hats. Miss America introduced all if us without a break! There were three judges and I introduced myself to all of them. Lots of photographers were taking pics and a couple stopped me for a snapshot... Haven't seen it on the front page of any newspaper though  lol!

The closest we got to the real action was getting to see the jockeys come down the stairs before they jumped on their horses and the closet I saw of any celebs was Josh Elliott.

All in all, great time, great weather and great experience.

Wow, Kentucky Derby is Over

Great opportunity to attend the Kentucky Derby 140th Running for the Roses. More importantly for me was the chance to be in the Fashion Contest for the Kentucky Oaks on Friday of last week.  My hat was ready, I was ready and the long line began.  I was about #7 in line to walk the pink carpet but ended up being #51 to actually strut (did I say that...LOL!) across the runway. Sooo you can see how anxious all of the ladies were to get in (or should I say push their way in front of me and others). There were enough numbers for 200 of us. It was fun taking pictures of all the lovely hats.  Miss America was the emcee and she introduced all of us...(big job) without a break! There were three judges...will post their names later. I met each of them, not sure if that was what we were supposed to do but I wanted to know who they were.  Lots of photographers were taking our pictures and a couple of them had me stop so they could take my picture....guess they liked my hat....haven't seen it on the front page of anything so maybe I was just dreaming.

Another man stopped me to make nice comments and got out the smart phone and took a pic of my hat.  Maybe he stopped everyone.....

The closest we got to the real action was seeing the jockeys come down the stairs to head to the paddock and jump on their horses. It was fun seeing them up close.  The oldest was 47...Wow, gutsy guy.  Of course it was also fun seeing a gal participate.

Hats, hats everywhere. Lots of color, lots of great people watching.  Only celeb I think I saw was Josh Elliot.  They were far from where we were.

Hats, Hats and More Hats

The wheels are turning thinking of new creations in my mind...We have materials for three potential hat designs in little white boxes, awaiting just the right creative moment to put them together.

Yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting a milliner from Minneapolis.  It's always fun to chat with others in your field and to share "war stories".

Can't tell you how much we enjoy chatting with other milliners about similar topics.  There is a lot of talent out there and we have found, much sharing of information. We are always grateful for that.

Recently Margie Trembley Chapeaux entered a contest with 100 other milliners.  It is an annual contest and Margie just heard about it, so said give it a try.  Two of our hats were entered.  The judge is a well know milliner from LA area, Arturo Rios, incredible talent and creator of hats for Lady Gaga and others.  Just to have our pieces looked at by him is an honor!  The winners will be announced soon. There are lots of great hats in the contest.  Here is the picture of what we entered.  We had to submit photos of the front, back, sides, inside and the hat being worn in some special way.  Of course our special way was on models during our first ever runway participation at Omaha Fashion Week....Exciting.

If you haven't found it yet, please check out our boutique window.  Here's the link.

https://springfieldartworks.boutiquewindow.com

All the latest arrivals in the gallery, both art to wear, glass and consignment pieces will be featured.  Enjoy!  Let us know if you need a special hat for a special event, wedding, tea, Mother's Day or Easter.  We are here to please.

Application In for OFW August show

Today I filled out my application to be considered for Omaha Fashion Week in August. Exciting new collection in the thinking process.  It's amazing to me what attention OFW can give a designer.  I received a message from the executive producer of the Santa Fe Fashion Week wanting me to fill out an application for their event. There is a $2000 entry fee so that probably won't happen, at least this year.  The publicity afforded Margie Trembley Chapeaux has been amazing. Thanks to all the great photographers, writers, videographers who made it happen.  I am truly blessed.

Please stop in and see the March collection.  A couple of the pieces will not be there as they went to their owners, but there's still a lot to see.

Am looking for  a couple of volunteer who would like to assist me with a little hand sewing. Any takers?

Just was informed that I received a scholarship from FIG to perdure additional education in millinery.  That makes me very happy. :)

Stay tuned.

Hats Featured in Omaha World Herald's Inspired Living Magazine!

Photo by Chris Christen

This evening I went to the Omaha World Herald building in downtown Omaha to pick up the newest issue of Inspired Living Magazine.

During rack check for Omaha Fashion Week, I was asked by Editorial Manager of Custom Publications, Chris Christen, to take four hats to Hooten Images for consideration for the upcoming issue. At that time, I had no idea if the hats would even make it into the publication.

For several days, I waited in anticipation of seeing the magazine, and when I arrived at the Omaha World Herald, I was pleasantly surprised to see two hats in several photos! 

Chris captured my excitement in this photo and stated on her Facebook page that I said "It's so cool!"

See a copy of the complete publication HERE.

One More Day!

Avalon Huddleston

Only one more day! We are busy doing the final preparations for Margie's hats to be on the Omaha Fashion Week runway tomorrow evening!

Final touches are being put on the hats, friend Avalon Huddleston from Nashville will be coming in later this evening in preparation for watching the models and designs on the runway Friday and Saturday evening, and hats will soon be loaded up to make the trip to the Omar Bakery tomorrow.

We have been preparing for tomorrow evening for months and are looking forward for the Margie TrembleyChapeaux Couture 2014 collection to make their debut!

Friend Avalon Huddleston and Molly the Fire Safety Dog

4-H Night at Omaha Fashion Week

Last night was the opening night for Omaha Fashion Week

4-H’ers and Kent Bellows Studio Fashion Arts’young people did an amazing job! What wonderful designs, students!

Develop Model Agency and Margie Trembley Chapeaux model Meghan Gladney was a platform model.

Model Meghan Gladney

Looking forward to seeing their future works in the fashion industry!

Only two more days until Margie Trembley Chapeaux Couture hats are on the runway at Omaha Fashion Week!

A New Design!

Models aren’t the only ones that will be wearing Margie Trembley Chapeaux hats on Friday and Saturday evening at Omaha Fashion Week!

Today Margie worked on her one-of-a-kind hat that she will be wearing Friday evening on the debut of her 2014 line.

Playing with different fabrics and materials, this hat will go through many changes before it is finished.

Hope to see you at Omaha Fashion Week!

Omaha Fashion Week Rehearsal Night

This evening 2014 Omaha FashionWeek rehearsal was held for the models, including the models of the Margie Trembley Chapeaux Couture line at the Omar Bakery in Omaha.

Meghan, Jennifer, Amber, Olivia, Jensen, Jasmine and Sydne practiced walking on the runway for the venue.

This was the first time the models carried the “Margie Trembley” hatbox and they made it look great on the runway. Just wait until they are in their dresses wearing the beautiful hats!

Jasmine

Olivia

Jensen

Sydne

Jennifer

The models did a wonderful job and we are so excited to see them walk the runway Friday night!

Proud Moms