Thousands of orders for Aretha Franklin's inauguration hat
The flamboyant hat that managed to eclipse the Queen of Soul at the inauguration Tuesday is now prompting people to burn up phone lines, as thousands of orders pour in for the style.
Luke Song, owner of Mr. Song Millinery in Detroit, said he and his employees have "barely had any time to count" exactly how many requests he has gotten ever since Aretha Franklin belted out "My Country 'Tis of Thee" while wearing his chapeau on national television.
The heather-gray wool felt headgear featured a prominent bow lined with Swarovski rhinestones. Custom-designed and hand-molded over two days by Song himself, the hat cost upward of $500.
Fans are welcome to drop $179 on a similar satin-ribbon version.
Franklin has been a customer of the store for 20 of the store’s 25 years, said Song, whose father used to own the shop. She was not charged for the hat: After all, she helped come up with the concept, wandering around the store and "adding and subtracting to what we had already" to match a coat she wanted to wear, he said.
Song’s creation has spawned a cult following, with Photoshopped images of the hat adorning the heads of Mount Rushmore and Ellen DeGeneres sporting a version on her talk show. Song, 36, a South Korean immigrant, also sells to about 500 boutiques around the country.
-- Tiffany Hsu
Related:
Aretha Franklin's inaugural hat trick
Photo: MarieClaire.co.uk
oh jezus maria thats a hat only a dragqueen should be allowed to wear!
Posted by: william kraal | January 23, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Ugliest hat I have ever seen!
Posted by: Nina | January 23, 2009 at 05:01 PM
...more like BEST hat ever!
Posted by: Hadley | January 23, 2009 at 10:51 PM
...more like BEST hat ever!
Posted by: Hadley | January 23, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Who cares?
What I want is blog postings about great deals, not celebrity news. Honestly, I get more information from some of your comments than the blog itself. I think you are going to have a hard time competing with special interest blogs like LiquidationMob if you keep posting about celebrities like Paris Hilton and Barack Obama.
What is this blog really all about?
Posted by: Amar Ket | January 24, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I LOVE the hat, and I love 'Retha! Admittedly, not everyone would look good in the hat---but everyone ain't "Retha.
Posted by: Denise Wong | January 24, 2009 at 03:04 PM
that looks is merely a nostalgic look reminiscent of the kind of hats my grandmother wore in the 20s. imitation best form of flattery.
Posted by: r. naranjo | January 25, 2009 at 07:09 AM
I think that a hat as...whats the word I'm looking for...out there as that one can only be worn by people with an attitude and out to make a statment in the world. I do think that no one should wear it with an equally...out there outfit, its just a bit too much. Aretha made a good choice wearingthat hat because it defines her and not many other people could get away with wearing that. I may never wear it but some things look good on other people. if I met someone in person wearing that hat, I might just find myself staring at their head the entire time.
Posted by: Sadie | January 25, 2009 at 08:25 AM
IT JUST PROVES THAT ARETHA IS NOT ONLY THE QUEEN OF SOUL BUT ALSO THE QUEEN OF BAD TASTE. AND IT DOES NOT SURPRISE ME THAT SHE DIDN'T PAY FOR THAT HAT SINCE SHE DOESN'T LIKE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING. THE ONLY REASON THAT HAT IS SELLING IS BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF AMERICA HAS NO TASTE.
Posted by: GILBERTO MELLO | January 25, 2009 at 10:13 AM
P.S.: PLEASE ARETHA DO A FAVOR TO YOURSELF: LEAVE FASHION AND DESIGN FOR FASHION, COSTUME DESIGNERS & STYLISTS. TRUST AND RESPECT OUR TASTE AND WORK AS WE RESPECT YOUR MUSIC. YOU JUST HAVE EVERYTHING TO GAIN.
Posted by: GILBERTO MELLO | January 25, 2009 at 04:02 PM
If I see people start wearing big bow tie hats, i'm going to puke. People should support local fashion designers like this one http://liquidationmob.com/download.php?fileid=441&PHPSESSID=a387669bd566d547fe8bfbcf2f5d14ef instead of just wearing what people see on TV.
Posted by: Simonian | January 25, 2009 at 06:17 PM
... I LOVE the hat but only a true diva icon can handle it !!
Posted by: MarCon | January 25, 2009 at 08:32 PM
I don't see thousands of people seeking to dress like any of the haters, so that speaks volumes about whether it's a winner or not
Posted by: muskegon heights | January 25, 2009 at 11:12 PM
You really must be kidding. That is not a hat. It looks like something I saw in Africa being worn by a Village Leader.
Posted by: James Wilson | January 26, 2009 at 08:33 AM
You really must be kidding. That is not a hat. It looks like something I saw in Africa being worn by a Village Leader.
Posted by: James Wilson
So, James Wilson, do you have a problem with people from Africa wearing their triditonal outfits.
Posted by: Ms. P | January 26, 2009 at 12:08 PM
You obviously have no taste. Why the reference to AFRICA ??? ola du you at jj;;;;
Posted by: First Lady | January 26, 2009 at 05:32 PM
I loved the Aretha Franklin Hat...I saw one similar on ebay you ought to check it out...see womans hat BIG BOW.
Posted by: Sue White | February 01, 2009 at 04:15 PM
best hat ever.......you people who think it was ugly or bad need to check you fashion taste.....it was awesome.......I want one
Posted by: 041-793-7855 | February 01, 2009 at 10:19 PM
AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT THAT RECOGNIZES THE BLATANT SIMILARITY TO THE SCARF WORN BY AUNT JAMIAMA? EITHER ARETHA WAS BEDAZZELED OR WAS MAKING AN UPFRONT IN YOUR FACE "LOOK AT US NOW" SNAP SNAP. ARETHA IS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN HER OWN RIGHT. SORRY BUT THE THAT WAS NOT FLATTERING TO HER AT ALL. ALTOUGH IT IS VERY ATTRACTIVE ON THE MANNEQUIN
Posted by: C AMRTINEZ | February 03, 2009 at 02:05 PM
In searching the internet, it looks like the cheapest "similarly styled" hat for purchase is here:
http://www.hats.com/queen
...about $80 cheaper than the satin version on ebay.
Posted by: Chris | February 04, 2009 at 07:23 AM