Thursday, November 08, 2007

A Feather In Your Hat

Yes, Let Success Go To Your Head

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Today is Oaks Day in Melbourne, traditionally referred to in the horse racing calendar as Ladies’ Day. The Oaks was first held in 1861 for three-year-old fillies with set weights (today's horses all carried 55.5kg) over 12 furlongs or 2400 metres. The race is now run over 2500 metres at Flemington Racecourse and is generally accepted as the fashion high point of the Spring Racing Carnival.

The serious fashion devotees wear flamboyant hats, while those in favour of the less-is-more concept opt instead for fascinators. In case you’re wondering, a fascinator is a headpiece, fashioned from feathers, flowers and/or beads.


Here's another view of the wonderful creation (above), giving you an idea of what it looked lilke from directly behind. I asked this woman’s permission to photograph her very striking fascinator and she readily agreed, while confessing that she had bought hers rather than making it herself. Looks like she’s made a head start.

12 comments:

none said...

I guess attending that race is a real feather in the cap for the social elite.

Anonymous said...

I learn something new every time i come here.
Fascinator is an apt description for that concoction. I know for a fact my pup would be fascinated to get its paws on that.

Deborah Gamble said...

I have a feather-hair accessory chapter in my book. They were nothing like these feathers though!

Jeni said...

Like commenter #2 -Kate Isis -I too learn so many things every visit I make here. Fascinating -fascinators.

Corey~living and loving said...

I had to laugh at "less is more" when the fascinator itself is really quite "more"! tee hee

Sam said...

That's a lovely accesory!! And it definitely is a pratise i never knew about... there are so many things to learn!! :)

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Sounds a little like our ladies day at Ascot. I've never seen any fascinators there, though! I've had a life-long love-affair with hats, my family often threaten to dis-won me over them.

Ananda Niyogi said...

Loved your take (photo, and otherwise) on the Melbourne Cup and this one :-)

Mona said...

Wow! That is a beautiful arrangement of a hat!

The other one that I loved was the one Camilla Parker wore for her wedding to Price Charles! :)

Saline County, Arkansas Photos said...

I would soooo wear that in my hair!

imac said...

I to have a feather in my hat David.
The one I bought on holls.
My Austrian Tyrolian

Bradley's Mom said...

I, too, love the lessons I learn on your blog!

The awesome colors of those feathers.......WOW!!!!

Fascinating!!

Linda