The office space above Luna Boutique is tiny, but doesn’t limit big ideas streaming from Christine Moore. This hat designer extraordinaire, not only shows and sells her New York based designs in the Louisville storefront downstairs, she creates many of her one of a kind art pieces, upstairs. During the week leading up to Derby, boxes of supplies arrive, pile up, and spill out into every corner. Calls come in from corporations bringing their clients (in need of hats); individuals stop by with requests, and assistants to Derby going celebrities.
Churchill (Downs) rang earlier this week with a special order. Singer Mary J. Blige will perform the National Anthem Saturday. With all eyes on Kentucky, Churchill wants a Christine Moore hat on Blige’s head.
Just how good is Christine Moore? Check out her website www.camhats.com. Fashion magazines regularly hire Moore to top off a fashion shoot. I happen to have the fascinator Christine created for a Vogue fashion shoot with J Lo. Call me petty, but it’s kind of fun knowing the hat on my head once sat a top Ms Lopez’s.
Elements that make Christine Moore’s hats stand outs; color combinations (Christine is an accomplished artist), her ever evolving structure and elements like swooping bows and varied sizes. Little ribbons within the brim allow each hat to fit any head size (and stay in place on a windy day), plus the variety of different materials (Panama straw, I have learned, works best if there is a chance of rain). For the past several years Christine has created the hats worn on the Today Show anchors while broadcasting from Louisville. For the Royal Wedding, Christine made a hat for Katie Couric.
For those not headed to the track Derby Day, you can watch Christine in action as she creates. NBC is shooting a feature at Luna Boutique (1310 Bardstown Road 502 454 7620).
Will Christine be at the track herself – “no way”. She works on hats until mid morning Saturday, then she ships herself back to her home in New York. By Sunday it’s – First leg down, two to go. While Kentucky is HAT CAPITAL of the World this weekend, that title will move onto Maryland and New York (at least in the eyes of this busy milliner). HATS OFF TO CHRISTINE MOORE.
