Easter, Derby, Oaks, Tea Parties, Garden Parties, Weddings, Oh my, Are You Ready?

 We have had a very busy schedule and have been a bit negligent in keeping up with our blog. Sorry.

A couple of weeks ago we had a re-do of our gallery, Springfield Artworks, and my millinery studio and shop. Glenn and I are both really excited about the new look. If you have not been in since the re-do, please stop by to see it and just maybe you'll find something special to take home with you.

In January Glenn and I went to Elko, NV to the Cowboy Poetry Gathering.  We really didn't know what to expect as we are not necessarily into poetry.  We went so that I could take a cowboy (or other men's hat) class from a master "hatter" Roy Jackson and his assistant.  I had seen info on this event in the past and had visited with Meg Glaser from Elko at the Trailing of the Sheep Festival.  We were both impressed with her documenting history of the people near Sun Valley, ID and decided this was the year to go to Elko so that I could take a class on learning how to make men's hats.  The lucky recipient was Glenn who is now sporting a 100% Beaver camel colored hat with dark brown features. Hopefully I will be able to get some tools in the not too distant future so that I can also make men's hats. They are frequently requested.

The festival was wonderful.  We got to hear a professor who has researched thoroughly the disappearance of the buffalo and other animals from the US.  How they disappeared was not what we all have been lead to believe.  We also got to hear some very fine singing and poetry of course from some very talented storytellers.  We met a Nebraska ranchers wife whose knack for writing is top notch. We now carry her music in our store.  On a side note, her hats are pretty cool too.

In the last month, a long awaited photo shoot took place near Omaha, fences, stable, horses, model, photographer, designer and all. It is the first time I have been "on site" when my hats are photographed outside. Loved every minute of it.  Can hardly wait to see my new look book. This came about by a generous donation from Alyssa Dilts of Develop Model Management and the Fashion Institute Midwest. Without that support, this would not have happened. I will definitely share the pictures when they are approved for publication.

It's Kentucky Derby time right around the corner. Several of my hats will be there on their new owners and you may just see one of them in the Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest just like they were the last two years.

We still have some hats in our gallery/boutique so if you are going to the Derby or other Spring or Summer events or Derby parties.We would love to set you up with a Margie Trembley Chapeaux hat.

Inside Glenn's hat, all hand sewn.

Handsome guy sporting his new hat.

Please stop in to see our new digs and enjoy browsing around the gallery and who knows, maybe you will find something you can't live without.
Margie
402-301-9162

Avalon Huddleston sporting a Margie Trembley Chapeaux hat at last years Kentucky Oaks Fahion Contest at Churchill Downs. Photo by LymanDVM Photography

Where Did the Summer Go?

Wow, I find myself heading out to find the prettiest mums for the front of the store and I think I got lucky.  While wondering through Sam's Club on s Saturday (G was minding the store) I found the most gorgeous yellow mums to plant in our planters out front of the studio/gallery/boutique./hat shop. We also have some great willow that we retrieved from our willow at home.  We decided we would just put it out in front and put a for sale sign on the branches....Who knows? Someone may see the beauty of those gorgeous twists and turns of the willow branches and decide they should make a purchase.

Now to hats. It has been a whirlwind of a summer...from a TV interview in Lincoln,NE to providing hats for models for the fundraising event for the Fashion Institute Guild event and finding just the right clothes and accessories to match the fur felt safari hat and the aubergene velour hat that were featured there. It was quite fun putting it all together.  I must say the models from Develop Model Management look fabulous in my hats.  Thanks to all the hard working members of the guild who put this fabulous fund raising event on to assist designers with some of their needs, like educational opportunities, etc.  I was one of the recipients this last year and eternally grateful for their help.

The big news is that our hats have been selected to be in a Louisville,KY store prior to the Kentucky Derby.  A visit there earlier was delightful and I was so happy that they loved my hats.  This will be the only place in Louisville where my hats can be purchased. The high end store is called Rodes for Him, for Her.  If in the area, check them out.  They carry fine merchandise.

Finally, the finishing touches are being added to the blue hat that was pictured in the Omaha World Herald article about our Derby hats, back in April. You may not recognize it. When it's 100% finished I will post pictures...for now, you will have to wait.

Oops, guess that isn't finally. Yours truly signed up for a cowboy hat making class in Elko, NV to be held in conjunction with the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, held yearly in Elko.  Having met Meg Glaser, Artistic Director of Programs for the Western Folklife Center, at The Trailing of the Sheep Festival, held yearly in Hailey and Ketchum, Id. and seen her involvement in preserving the stories of the West, I am sure it will be a fabulous event.  Here's hoping the snow will be light and the wind calm during that time. Not sure who will get the hat, Glenn or me....Seems like a long way off.  I have plenty of time to think about it.

If you are thinking of going to the Kentucky Derby next May, now would be the perfect time to come in so we can plan for that perfect hat, just for you.  Appointments are necessary for measuring, etc. Hope to see you soon.

Margie

August has arrived

With August arriving it seems so quickly, it's time to enjoy the beautiful sky we are seeing all around us. My I-phone is always close at hand to snap those pictures of what I think are unusual cloud formations. The last few I took were so awe inspiring.  I saw a nativity pattern in one, and just plain beauty in the other.  They help keep the creativity flowing as I think of new designs for my hats.

It's been a busy summer. I delivered six hats to Arkansas, four for great nieces of a client and two for her historic home decor.  Am anxious to see how they are displayed next time I go through there.  Also, we got to stop at Crystal Bridges near Bentonville, AR to see their amazing collection of art.

Now back to hats. A hat collector from Phoenix was sent the article that appeared in the Omaha World Herald about me and my hats. It was a real thrill to meet someone who loves collecting hats from all over the world and to watch the excitement that she showed as she tried to decide which one is the one to take home. She picked the first one she spotted. It was one I had just completed. She'll be back for more some day she chimed in.

Heading to Louisville,KY soon to spend some time with another milliner and to pick up a few hat making hints from her.....can hardly wait.

When you find yourself needing a hat for a special event or just a pick-me-up, give me a call and we can set up some personal time to help you select that perfect hat just for you. See you next time.

Margie

August has slipped up on us really quickly

Get Ready for Summer

Get ready for Summer

It's now time for hat wearing to protect your face from the hot summer sun.  We have been busy working on new hats and have been doing some unique things for the college crowd.

Of course the NCAA College World Series has been in Omaha and it got me thinking. I need to make hats representing team colors....

My original (hometown) teams colors were a bit difficult to accomplish so I combined colors and it worked perfectly.  Arkansas seems to be changing their university colors so when that is all settled,  we will be using their new color for sun hats.

Springfield Days was held last weekend and we met lots of new area residents. Summer is always a busy time but we love seeing you. If you have been thinking about a hat, please make an appointment and we can help you find a hat from our selection on hand or measure your head, determine your needs including date desired and we will start designing & creating.  That's exciting for both of us.

We were able to cooperate with another Omaha designer Wayne "Fella" Vaughn in providing the fashions and hats for two contestants for the Miss Nationwide pageant held last weekend in Houston.  Both of the contestants, Miss Nebraska Nationwide and Miss Iowa Nationwide were  in the top five and Miss Iowa Nationwide was crowned the winner.  Miss Nebraska Nationwide was the third runner-up.  It was so exciting working with these lovely young ladies and look forward to seeing them when they return.  They looked gorgeous in the personal style part of the competition wearing our designs.

Please stop in to our studio and say Hi.  Our address is 183 Main Street, Springfield, NE inside Springfield Artworks.  402-301-9162

 

Spring has Sprung and we are one busy place

        It's been a whirlwind at the Margie Trembley Chapeaux studio, preparing for the Kentucky Derby, Omaha Fashion and Styling events, Press releases, classes and on and on....It's exciting being a part of all of this whirlwind of activities. Hat boxes have arrived to hold the large hats that are in demand for the Kentucky Derby and Steeplechases around the country.

        We had a great photo shot with Christian Behr of two identical twins wearing small cocktail type hats that would work for little girls or Moms. Easter hats were also created this year for little ones but they also would work for weddings, First Communions or other little girl events (teas, etc)

Tea Anyone?

Baby It's Cold Outside!

In My Easter Bonnett

 Getting ready to go to the Kentucky Derby is always fun... x hat, x dress,
x shoes, x hat packed in hat box for ease in travel, x hotel, x rental car, x Derby ticket, x Directions to Churchill Downs, x Parking info....whew, guess we are ready. We will have a great time wearing our hats, being in the Fashion Contest at the Kentucky Oaks on the day before the Derby....Remember Margie Trembley, look for the PINK CARPET!

We have had a couple of press visits at our studio in the last several months. USA Today Journalists and photographers who write for the Atlanta Constitution, Denver Post, etc and of course the local press.  That is always exciting and makes us straighten the studio up a bit....you know how artists are......Watch the local press for a couple of photos that were taken both at our studio and off-site. It's exciting.

We have been asked to have three or four of our hats in the Fashion Show Fundraiser for the Omaha Law League coming up on April 24. Members of that group will be modeling our hats.  Can hardly wait.

A group within the AkSsrben Foundation is having a Kentucky Derby Party and have asked me to provide the presentation that I did at Omaha Fashion Week.  We will have a professional musician, dressed like the "real thing"  play "Call to the Post" on a long horn, 8 models from Develop Model Management wear their "jockey outfits" and our hats, carrying crops provided by the Paddock in Omaha.  The boots and bugler outfits will be provided by Dehner Boot Company in Omaha as well. We couldn't do it without these wonderful suppliers....hats off to them! (Is that a pun or what? :)

The Kentucky Derby is just around the corner....are you ready?

Hats for little girls

It's Easter and First Comminion time. I have been busy making flowers and bows for some very special little girls. Even though our shop has been closed for Jan and Feb, there have been lots of behind the scene works "happening". There are lots of great ribbons and fabrics that you can choose from while the selection is at its best.

We got to have a little R and R before the busy Spring shopping season. Please come visit Margie Trembley Chapeaux and Springfield Artworks when we re-open in March.

Ready to Wear Fashion Hats

Margie Trembley Chapeaux hats return from Paris, France for a photo shoot for Ish Magazine

Recently after a trip to Chicago to pick up some supplies for her hats, Margie stopped in Des Moines,IA to retrieve her 3 hats that were used for a photo shoot in Paris, France at the Eiffel Tower, Opera House, Hotel R de Paris and other venues.  Camille Renee, architectural photographer from Des Moines recently took Margie's hats for a photo shoot for Camille's new online magazine, Ish.  It was fun seeing photos of the photographer taking photos of Margie's hats.  Jessica Schaeffer was Camille's able assistant and model for some of the shoot.

The hats are safe and sound back at the studio, so you can drop in anytime to see them.

People often comment, I don't know how to wear a hat or a fascinator. The art seems to have been lost when women and girls stopped wearing hats when the more casual look, bouffant hairdos came into play.  Some say that when ladies started getting their hair done weekly, hats went out of favor, but in inquiring with a college theatre millinery instructor, Margie feels it was because everyone wanted the more relaxed, casual look.

As we start to see that turn around and more posts like what was in the Denver Post about hats coming back into favor, we see more and more hats being worn. It's exciting for a milliner, such as Margie Trembley, who has only been in this field approximately 4 years, to be in on that "new beginning."

As evidenced by the enthusiasm shared recently by 51milliners (including Margie) at Millinery Meet Up at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, in  Gatlinburg, Tennessee,  hat wearers are definitely on the rise!

Margie Trembley hats just returned from a photo shoot in Paris, France

Last week, Margie stopped in at the office of Camille Renee in Des Moines,IA to pick up her three hats that were taken by Camille Renee, an architectural photographer to