On the block this month is “The Tinner’s Way,” a beautiful chapeau honoring the greatest son of Secretariat, who won the 1973 Triple Crown winner and is subject of the new hit movie.
This is the second of six unique creations that will be done by Sally Faith Steinmann of Maggie Mae Designs®. Each of the six Steinmann pieces will be inspired by one of the pensioned racehorses at Old Friends, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization located in Georgetown, KY. A hat will be auctioned monthly leading up until the 2011 Kentucky Derby.
Bidding on the hats will be conducted for 10 days only on the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org. The Tinner’s Way can be viewed now by visiting www.maggiemaedesigns.com or www.oldfriendsequine.org.
Steinmann has created this latest one-of-a-kind couture Derby hat in honor of Tinner's Way, one of the newest retirees at Old Friends. A son of the great Secretariat, out of the Minstrel mare Devon Diva, Tinner’s Way was bred by Juddmonte Farms from Secretariat’s final crop. He began his career with a seven-furlong maiden win on British turf in 1992 and continued to campaign in France and England as well as in the U.S. in 1993.
With 7 wins from 27 starts, Tinner is best remembered for his consecutive wins in the GR1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in 1994 and 1995. He also captured the Golden Gate Fields Budweiser Breeders’ Cup. Handicap and in 1996 he took the GR1 Californian Stakes.
His career earnings totaled over $1.8 million. He was pensioned at Old Friends earlier this year.
To portray this talented athlete’s mastery on both the grass and on dirt, Steinmann has used a rich reddish dupioni silk combined with a lovely green thread. The hat’s dramatic 19-inch brim was then adorned with a palette of blue-green and pink to represent the stallion’s former racing colors, and an innovative, multi-layered floral confection of four luscious blush pink peonies was added to represent each of the horse’s famous stakes wins.
The petals for each peony were fashioned from complementary fabrics that were layered to accentuate the characteristics of the different materials and make the flowers come alive. The bottom petals are a rose pink organza, while the middle layer is blush pink dupioni silk, and the final layer is an even softer powder pink organza. The center of each peony is filled with a satin rose curl for a stylish finishing touch.
Blue-green shantung was used for the dappled leaves that elegantly frame each flower.
“People ask me how I come up with the trim ideas, and all I can say is that I let the horses speak to me and then let the magic happen," said Steinmann of her newest creation. “Some of my most innovative designs reflect the ways in which these magnificent equine athletes inspire me both as an artist and as a fan.”
The Tinner’s Way will be up for bidding beginning December 1st; the auction will last 10 days. To view the hat and to read more about Maggie Mae Designs® go to www.maggiemaedesigns.com. To view the hat and bid go to www.oldfriendsequine.org.
“Hats off to the Horses” will offer a new creation for bid each month through April 2011, with all of the high-fashion action leading up to the most exciting two minutes in sports. Ms Steinmann is donating each hat, and 100 percent of the online proceeds will go to Old Friends, the 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to the dignified retirement of former racehorses.
This unparalleled online shopping experience began on November 1st with “The Gulch” a hat commemorating the Breeders’ Cup champion. The hat sold for more than $800 online.
Similar designs by Steinmann have sold for upwards of $1,000.
The third hat in the series will be available January 1st
For additional information contact Cynthia Grisolia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (347-423-7322) or Maggie Mae Designs® at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (508-430-1626)).
For more information about Old Friends see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call (502) 863-1775.
Maggie Mae Designs® Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions – from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning and unique bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can been seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that is home to over 100 retired racehorses. It’s Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. For more information on tours, reservations at the Old Friends B&B, or to make a donation, contact the farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.
