User:3ttinfoDuchess of Cambridge crowned Headgear Association's 'Hat Person in the Year' after claiming 90 Per Cent of votes As both a Brit along with a Royal, the Duchess of Cambridge has more opportunities than most to use hats. And a lot would agree that she wears them well. So referring as little surprise how the Headwear Association has named her its 'Hat Person from the Year'. Ninety-one % with the California-based organisation's members voted for her in an online poll, placing her before U.S. celebrities Rachel Zoe and Ne-Yo. In fact, one wonders why someone else even got a vote. As much as hats have concerns, there may not be a much more fitting winner. Since her engagement in November 2010, the Duchess'saffect the millinery industry has been enormous. She has raised the profile, not only of established names like Philip Treacy and Sylvia Fletcher of Lock & Co, but also little-known designers such as Rose Cory and Vivien Sheriff. And though the engagements for which she chooses to wear hats are not unusual - church services, weddings and Royal Ascot - her sartorial influence has inspired many people to sport formal headwear for all manner of special occasions. The style set in the U.S. has perhaps been most heavily-inspired. While British women, like Catherine, expect to wear hats from time to time, it was, for a long time, seen as outdated in America. Now though, milliners are enjoying a boom thanks to 'the Kate effect'. Jenny Pfanenstiel, of Forme Millinery in Chicago said: 'Kate has allowed American women to know what fascinators are and to feel more comfortable and confident about wearing hats in public.' A post on The Headwear Association's blog, announcing the news today, described Catherine's style as 'impeccable', citing her burgundy hat by Rose Cory and maple leaf headpiece by Sylvia Fletcher as favourites. Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Charlie Sheen were also among the names on the shortlist, claiming one per cent of the vote each. The Headwear Association was founded in 1908 and claims to be the oldest fashion trade association in the industry. Its mission is to promote hat wearing and the headwear industry throughout the world and foster goodwill and fellowship among those engaged in the headwear industry. This is the third annual Hat Person of the Year award: previous winners include Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt. Earlier this year, it inducted Victoria Beckham and Lady Gaga into its Hall of Fame. They joined the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Aretha Franklin, Fred Astaire and Marlene Dietrich. |
