Page 37 of Hats off to Love

On Monday, I received a call from a producer at the television network. They had discovered I was a new business in town and wanted to come out to do a spotlight as part of their Run for the Roses series. It’s only meant to be a few minutes long, but all morning my stomach has been in knots. Other spotlights include large sponsors, local destinations, the balloonfest, and the Derby festival marathon.

“As you know, tis the season, and we are just a few weeks away from the Run for the Roses. If you haven’t secured your hat yet, now is the perfect time to run out as well, before they are all gone.”

My smile grows at her play on words, and at the same time, she’s not wrong. I’m not running low on inventory yet, but in another week to ten days, pickings will definitely be slimmer.

“Before we get started, I want to remind all of you about the other events that are coming up this week.”

She continues to ramble on about different places they’ll be and things that are happening, then I catch a glimpse of the shop door opening behind the crew, the bell tinkling as someone slips inside. Molly, who was watching us, breaks out in a large smile and quietly moves out from behind the counter to greet the person, and that’s when Stokes comes into view. It’s been four days since I’ve seen him. He had to go out of town to meet with a client, but he’s back, and he’s got a to-go bag draped across his arm and holds a drink carrier with what looks like three large coffees. Molly takes whatever he’s brought, and he moves so he’s standing off to the side and out of the way.

He brought us coffee again, and the thoughtfulness, combined with what I now know of him, has my baby butterflies turning into toddlers.

He’s in a suit and tie, his standard business look, and it hasn’t at all stopped being impressive. If anything, I can’t help but appreciate it more. I’ve never considered myself to be someone who admires a man in a suit or finds it to be a turn-on, but now I’m thinking it might be. His hazel eyes find mine, and he smiles. I can feel it all the way down in my toes. It’s not a huge smile, but a small one that’s one of mine. It’s personal and intimate between two people who know each other differently than they know others, and it calms me instantly.

“Rosie,” Carly says, pulling my gaze from him to her. “This is your first season with your new shop, Rosie May, and we are excited to learn more about you and the gorgeous hats you make.” She takes the one on the counter in front of her and puts it on. It’s hot pink with one large hot pink flower and tall dark purple wisps that I’ve curled to point up versus out.

“Thank you, Carly, for coming by today. Yes, this is my first season as a shop owner, but I was born and raised right here in Louisville and think it’s the best city in the country. I love having you here, and you’re in luck because I also love to talk about hats.”

The crew showed up over two hours ago. They filmed shots of different parts of the store, which I’m sure have already been diced and spliced to slip into our conversation, while I sat with makeup.

“Obviously, the Derby is about the horses, but amidst all the thoroughbred races, this one, ours, is famously known for its hats. Tell us about this one right here,” she prompts as she holds up the baby blue fascinator.

“The hats here at Rosie May are one size fits most, but if the head is larger, we recommend a fascinator that looks like a hat.” I show the top of the fascinator to the camera. It has a large brim, is appropriately adorned, and looks like a hat to the common eye. Then I tip it back so the viewers can see underneath it, revealing that the hat is attached to a headband. When worn, the hat will sit at an angle on the head and just be beautiful. “It’s a way to give the illusion one might want, but it’s also very comfortable and secure.”

Carly takes it from me, removes the one she’s wearing, and slips it onto her head. She faces me so I can make sure it’s in place then turns back to the camera.

“You are so right! It is comfortable and looks incredible, don’t you think?” She’s asking the viewers with large delighted eyes. “But what if the head is smaller?”

“If they choose to wear a hat then there are ways to pad the inside so it will stay anchored.” I pick up a hat that’s in front of me, one we’ve already padded for demonstration purposes. Carly takes it from me and holds it out for the camera to zoom in.

“I had to do this to a pair of shoes once too. It worked brilliantly.” She laughs as if she’s funny and being silly. This reminds me of a sitcom show, when the producers want the audience to think something is funny and they press a button to dub in a prerecorded audience laugh.

It’s fake and definitely confirms what I already knew: I could not do this job.

“Now, Rosie, if this is someone’s first time coming to the Derby, what should they look for when buying a hat?”

“Well, there are three main embellishment categories that make up a Derby hat: flowers, feathers, and netting. While not all three need to be used, it is favorably looked upon, especially for those who are expected to be seen. The hat must be elegant but modern. It needs to be genteel but also one of a kind. Here at Rosie May, we’ve worked hard at trying to think outside the box when it comes to hat design and how to incorporate other elements to make it unique, such as wide ribbon, painted leaves, crystals, tulle, and curved brims. I think the most important thing to look for in a hat is how it makes you feel. From the color to the style, when it is put on, there should be a feeling of rightness. If that’s there, that’s the meant-to-be hat or fascinator.”

“I love that,” Carly says, taking off the fascinator and trying on another. “Tell me about this right here,” she says, turning the original hot pink hat around to show the back and holding it out for the camera.

“One thing I have always wanted was some kind of marker on my hats that makes them stand out and identifiable as mine, something that makes the brand recognizable. Now obviously, the hat embellishments are usually elaborate and eye-catching, so I had to get creative with what that might be. Yes, I have the label on the inside of the hat, but what about the outside? I wanted people to be able to look at the hat and know it was mine.

“As you can see, what I came up with is a light pink Swarovski crystal that is affixed onto the back rim of the hat. If you look closely, you’ll see they’ve been cut specifically for me to look like a rose. I wouldn’t call them small, but they’re not ginormous either. It’s easily spotted if one looks for it or missed if they don’t, and I love it. It’s the signature color of the shop and the hat boxes and will definitely be one of those If you know, you know things.”

To me she says, “Well, we all know now, and I will definitely be looking. I love it.” Then she shifts back to the camera. “If you are interested in one of Rosie’s hats or fascinators, make sure you check out her website or make your way on over to NuLu to see them for yourself. While you’re here, you can enjoy a cup of tea and pose in front of her fabulous rose wall to share with all of your social media friends.” She turns back to me. “Thank you, Rosie, for allowing us to stop by today.”

“Thank you for coming,” I tell her, genuinely meaning it.

She goes back to facing the camera, and I watch as the lens changes its dimensions to zoom in on Carly.

“Stay tuned, because after we come back from a quick break, we’ll meet up with Jeanine at the Sweet Stop Bakery where they’ll be teaching us how to decorate Derby cupcakes to look like roses—the perfect finishing touch to any hosted Derby party.” She smiles big, and then it’s over.

As I’m putting away the hats we featured, Carly beelines straight for Stokes, her high heels clacking across my floor like an unwanted mating call. I didn’t even realize she saw him come in.

“Well, if it isn’t Stokes Whitlock. How are you?” she asks in an overexcited southern tone while walking right up to him and wrapping her arms around him.

He visibly tenses then takes a step back from her. “I’m well. Thanks for asking.”

I have to look away, because if I don’t, I’ll laugh. He’s being dismissive; he doesn’t inquire how she is, and his tone is crisp, bordering on rude. If she picks up on it, she doesn’t let on. Instead, she pushes forward.