Smithsonian asks for Aretha's hat. Yes, *that* hat

[Robbien]

Source: The Oregonian

The Smithsonian's putting together an exhibit on the historic Obama inauguration -- so of course they want Aretha Franklin's hat. The Swarovski-crystal-encrusted, big-bowed, hat-line-inspiring chapeau (to use Aretha's own word -- so chic!) has since acquired a sort of following of its own.

And as if Aretha needed help making a statement, the Smithsonian's now planning to give the hat an even wider audience. Will she? Won't she?

The release:

The Inaugural ceremony of President Barack Obama on January 20 had the world talking -- about the official oath of office, the President's Inaugural address, the record breaking attendance, the adorable First Family, Aretha Franklin's gospel-infused rendition of the anthem "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and "the hat." The Smithsonian Institution has now asked Franklin if she will donate the now iconic Inaugural hat to the museum to become a part of an exhibit of President Obama's Inauguration, joining other items scheduled for display including First Lady Michelle Obama's Inaugural night gown.

Commenting on the Smithsonian's request, Franklin says, "I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history. I would like to smile every time I look back at it and remember what a great moment it was in American and African-American history. Ten cheers for President Obama."

Read more: http://blog.oregonlive.com/popmusic/2009/01/smithsonian_asks_for_arethas_h.html

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[ogneopasno]

1. 'Twas gorgeous. I hope she does give it to the Smithsonian, but I can understand wanting to keep it.

[eleny]

3. It's an outstanding hat

[ColbertWatcher]

42. It is indeed (pic of designer and Aretha) ...

[eleny]

46. See how it doesn't work on the smaller mannequin head

A smaller woman couldn't carry it off. But on Aretha, it's a success because she wears it instead of the other way around.

I remember when hats were really in. People walked or took public transport more instead of driving. Buying a Sunday hat was a major big deal. I wish I still had some of mine from the 50s and 60s. :D

[No Elephants]

47. And gloves, LOL. I wore white gloves to my job interviews. And I still have my black leather opera

length gloves. Cannot even remember why on earth I even have those. Not as though formal occasions were a big part of my life. Maybe someone gave them to me?

[eleny]

49. Yes!

My mother had several pair of gloves that I adored. They were the Sunday type gloves that were cloth but kind of thick, ultra soft and covered the wrist well. She had white, cherry red and god knows why but a pale lime pair.

Talk about finishing off an outfit <sigh>.

[No Elephants]

52. The one on the mannequin has a different bow, too.

[eleny]

63. It appears that the lower bow loop is smaller

When the bow was tied, that lower loop wasn't made large enough. So that loose flap looks larger. It does alter the appearance of the hat. But I think they're the same.

[aquart]

2. I should think so.

[Piewhacket]

4. She should give it up. Belongs to America now. Thanks Aretha.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

36. huh? It's hers.

She should will it to the Smithsonian

[Piewhacket]

61. Hers? My dear eowyn, what do you think it means to "own" something?

[eowyn_of_rohan]

62. I think it means it is yours until you give it to someone, it is taken from you, or you die.

What do you think?

[Piewhacket]

68. I think it is an interesting notion...

given but little regard in law,
and rightfully even less weight in human society.

The ideas for consideration are these:

Aretha is now an icon, but the occasion wasn't about honoring her,
her participation was about honoring the occasion. Therefore it is said:

Aretha was given the honor of participating in a great occasion.

next,

She wore a distinctive hat (a wonderful hat) and distinctive enough
to commemorate the occasion, and people who watched her sing and
saw the hat will always visually connect the hat to Aretha to the
occasion. The hat is "connected" to the occasion in a memorable way.

This is how we as a society "remember", it is how we "participate"
in shared experiences which bring us together, which help us remember
who we are, what we are doing, why we have come.

I applaud the decision to include the hat in a distinguished
commemorative display. What a brilliant idea. Aretha can some look at
it anytime, someone buy her another wonderful hat, but she should not
wear THIS hat again, she "wore it out" enough. Let others enjoy it
now, use it to remember "I was there, grandchild, and here is the very hat
Aretha wore. "

Who dares to deny this grandmother the pleasure of showing her
granddaughter THE hat!

So then, who dares say Aretha "owns" this hat? It is OUR hat now!
Thank you Aretha, for such a wonderful gift of wearing such a
wonderful hat (that now should be returned to its place of honor).
We will give you a new hat, and other honors, Aretha, so thank you.

[Posteritatis]

70. No, I'm a fan of the "her property is hers" school of thought myself

What else do you think should be confiscated from folks who went to the inauguration?

[Piewhacket]

75. Are you sure that's a school "of thought"?

just asking. :)

[eowyn_of_rohan]

74. By your line of thinking, do we own Sasha and Malia, too?

[Piewhacket]

76. By your reasoning, does everyone "own" their children?

[marauding liberal]

5. Maybe she could give it to them at a later date.

Outrageously gorgeous hat!

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Wonderful! And I hope they ask for Laura's outfits for their drapery and upholstery exhibit.

[Robb]

15. (rimshot)

:D

[jhrobbins]

7. My partner says I am one of those rare queers that didn't get the 'fashion gene',

When she came out, I thought it was OK, and all of our friends that were over watching the festivities, were howling at the TV.

[No Elephants]

45. You were right; they were wrong. FGMA. Howl at them now. When people are

still talking about your hat weeks later and the Smithsonian requests it, you have a hit on your hands. er, a hit on your head. Well, you know what I mean.

[sarge43]

8. That Hat belongs on permanent display, right next to Indiana Jones' fedora.

It's a classic.

[maxsolomon]

9. that's a great hat

for me to poop on!

[xxqqqzme]

10. It could be 'on loan'

from the collection of Ms. Aretha Franklin

[Sultana]

11. Aretha's hat picspam

:D

[Jefferson23]

17. ROFL, love it, thanks!

I'm pretty sure there is a manufacturer who is making this same hat, not sure if the work is being done by the original designer or not, but he has something like 3,000 orders to fill.

[Sultana]

77. You're welcome

It's an internet phenomenon. ;)

[Raine]

26. LOL

:spray: too funny! :rofl: :thumbsup:

[ColbertWatcher]

40. Those are awesome! n/t

[No Elephants]

44. fantastic. Thanks.

[JNelson6563]

55. lol Brilliant.

:toast:

[bermudat]

73. Too funny!!! :)

[1776Forever]

12. It was a huge hit in the UK and it helped the man who created it get loads of orders from there!

Making him one happy "mad" hatter!

............

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/vickiwoods/4326295/We-make-the-worlds-best-hats-so-why-dont-we-wear-them.html

We make the world's best hats, so why don't we wear them?
British women should emulate Aretha Franklin and don magnificent head-gear, says Vicki Woods.
By Vicki Woods
23 Jan 2009

Following the Inauguration of Hope and Rapture, my friend in Oxford emailed: "Singular absence of hats – only Aretha Franklin. Why would that be?" In haste, I replied: "Singular absence of milliners/Ascot/royal funerals. Americans aren't hatty people." Which they aren't, in general: Laura Bush, on protocol duty for the Queen Mother's funeral, very properly wore a hat, but it was a schoolgirl Gigi straw boater jammed on her head, and deeply unflattering.

I'd forgotten there is a demographic of hatty people in America – millions strong. The matriarchs who pack out the gospel churches always wear the full fig (hats, gloves, best coats). And, of course, it was a church hat Franklin wore, out of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for a pretty churchy occasion.

So, I was wrong about the absence of milliners. The Queen of Soul is from Detroit; and so is her hatter Luke Song, who runs the business (started by his Korean-immigrant mother) for a clientele of "90 per cent churchgoing African-American women". He made Aretha's grey felt cloche with the hugely oversized bow for about $400 (£290); I thought she looked fabulous in it and I wasn't alone. Almost as soon as My Country 'Tis of Thee died away, Song was hit by a Diana wedding-dress-style tsunami and he's rushing out lookalikes (for $179) and buying up all the felt he can find. He told the Detroit Free Press that, "people are calling from England, asking for the hat, I'm shocked".

..........

Now that is really good news for the happy "hatter" of Detroit!

[Froward69]

13. uh instead of

"First Lady Michelle Obama's Inaugural night gown." would it not be better to say... "Michelle Obamas evening Dress."??

[damntexdem]

14. What, they need it to patch a roof?

Oh, well, it wasn't all THAT bad, I guess.

Besides she sang great.

[AwakeAtLast]

21. Except for that unfortunate pause between 'count' and 'ry'

:rofl:

[yodermon]

28. ya know, i was 100% conviced that i was the only one that noticed that.

get *your* mind out of *my* gutter ;)

[AwakeAtLast]

38. Bob & Tom have the audio clip on demand

they've been playing it since last Tuesday. I guess my mind is in their gutter!

:hi:

[JVS]

57. LOL

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. it was a truly gorgeous hat.

[SpiralHawk]

59. I understand the Smithsonian also wants Sen, David Vitter's Diapers

But because he's republicon he won't donate it -- he wants to get paid a crapload of money

[elfin]

18. A good pick for the artifact archives --

emblematic of the occasion AND the presence of "hat happy" African American women at auspicious occasions. The very best hats are worn to church by African Americans. Look for a comeback.

It was a marvel - laughed at by the white media, and applauded by those in the "know".

She was majestic and made a statement appreciated by those who who knew what she wanted to communicate via her attire.

[Arkansas Granny]

25. Exactly right. I thought it was quite appropriate for the occasion and

she wore it well.

[sarge43]

60. Exactly, elfin.

She recognized an occasion that called for the very best.

I hope you're right about hats making a comeback. There are events where a drop dead glam hat says it all. Plus when you're wearing A Hat you strut your stuff.

[scytherius]

19. As my family says . . Reefa wore the shit outta that hat!

Hope she does, but can understand if she doesn't.

Hey nineteen . . . Queen-o-soul.

[Laughing Mirror]

20. A true crowning achievement

In its folds and soaring points that bow carried the hopes and dreams of a nation.

[bluesmail]

22. On a DN! episode there was adiscussion about those hats.

All I can remember is that no black woman would be caught going to church without a chapeau on. If there's more to the story could someone please post? (Damn memory is bursting with too much information. Thanks Dick. Thanks George.)

[sarge43]

58. Just google Church Crowns. A mess of information about them, including books.

Ms Franklin's crown was understated compared to some. On a The Wire episode the status and respect an elderly church lady and her crown has was nicely summed.

[Pab Sungenis]

23. De-lurking because I couldn't resist.

Message contents ©2009 2,000 Monkeys With Typewriters, LLC, All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or redistributed without permission.

[ColbertWatcher]

41. Her Majesty! Well done! n/t

[truthisfreedom]

24. Have a duplicate made.

Fer chrissakes.

[Why Syzygy]

30. I second that.

She should get to keep it. It was a once in a lifetime event for her, most likely. I think it's rude to ask her to give it up when a duplicate would work just as well at the museum.

[stevedeshazer]

27. That's awesome.

I hope she does.

[llmart]

29. When she walked out in that hat......

I said, "Only Aretha could pull off wearing a hat like that." You go, girl! I loved it and I hope she does donate it.

[LuckyLib]

39. LOL! I said the same: "Honey, with voice like that you can wear any damned hat you please!"

[llmart]

65. Yep.

And that was the first time during the entire coverage that I actually choked up - hearing her sing that song. Gave me goosebumps.

[doxieone]

31. I have to say I have had a lot of fun photoshopping that hat...

I have a set on flickr just for it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doxieone/sets/72157612866465961/

There is a group there, as well, where you can see a lot of good photoshopping by the Flickr folks. It is linked on my set.

[ColbertWatcher]

43. Those are great, I love that you have Dr. Colbert in there, too! n/t

[doxieone]

64. Thanks.... Initially I had some reservations using...

celebrity photos because no one else in the group was using them as much as I was.

I was particularly worried about the Tom Cruise one since I know his people are forever watching over his image/info on the internet.

My most popular one is the Mona Lisa. No Bush-supporter has commented on my Bush photo in the set and I have had at least TWO people comment on the octuplets photo as if the photo was real.

I didn't realize people could be that dumb. But then again, we had Bush in the WH for 8 years.

[ColbertWatcher]

69. It's amazing what people will believe! Great photos! n/t

[Raine]

51. Love it

THANKS for that! :bounce:

[AyanEva]

32. XD

You should see the fun we've been having with the hat meme on Live Journal. Especially http://community.livejournal.com/ihasatardis">ihasatardis.

...I just had the worst time figuring out how to do that with the brackets. I'm so used to doing <a href="link" target="_blank">text</a> on LJ. D:

grrr. Hate brackets.

[Mari333]

33. I hope she gives it to them

[awoke_in_2003]

34. great photoshop...

I'm gonna steal it.

[Mari333]

35. heh i stole it from someone else... nt

[awoke_in_2003]

37. Aren't the intertubes great? nt

[sarge43]

56. That's a keeper. A picture is worth ..... n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

48. Whatever she does, I'd be happy with her choice.

It was a beautiful hat she wore well. Maybe a replica can be placed in the museum....

[benh57]

50. Am i the only one who thought she was awful?

She totally butchered the song. It was horrible. I could barely stand to listen to it.

100% serious.

[No Elephants]

53. I did. She said on Larry King that she is never good in the morning and

the cold is not any singer's friend. I was online with friends when she sang and they were all saying how good she was while I was saying, "What happened to her?" They said, "What do you mean?"

I felt as though I were saying the Emperor is not wearing any clothes. No one could process it.

I don't think her weight helps, either. That's pressure on the lungs and other organs.

[Merlot]

67. I gave her credit for being a national treasure with a fantastic voice

We all know she could sing better than she did that morning. That's not the point. Who else could bring such emotion to the morning?

I figured with the cold and her being older and all, it just wasn't a good venue, but really, who cares?

[No Elephants]

54. Where does the Smithsonian get off asking for Aretha's hat. again?

[MiniMe]

71. That hat is part of history

It is an honor to Aretha to be asked. It doesn't mean she has to give it to them, just that they are interested. If it means that much to Aretha, I would donate it in my will. I'm sure the Smithsonian is working on an Obama exhibit.

[Merlot]

66. I LOVED that hat - only Arthea could pull that off!

Really what else should she wear except for something both tasteful and extravagant?

[Orsino]

72. If it gets the hat off the street, that's a good thing.

I love Miss Ree, but that hat was awful. I'll assume that the excitement of the day impaired her judgment, and forgive.

It was at least awful in an epic, unforgettable way.:D