Each year, The English Garden Florist in Raleigh, North Carolina, hosts a hat-making workshop in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby—an event that is low in costs and high in fun.
The Kentucky Derby — also known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports” (or, as we prefer to call it, “the Run for the Roses”) — gets an estimated 16 million viewers each year. Some of them, surely, care less about the actual horse race than the rituals that surround it, such as sipping mint juleps and donning fancy hats.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Cydney Davis-English hosts a hat-decorating class to help customers get dolled up for the May 6 event.
“It’s a big hit,” said the owner of The English Garden Florist, who started the tradition four years ago. “It gives people a chance to create a wearable piece of art. Even if the hat doesn’t make it to the race or a viewing party, the experience makes the student feel ready for a photo finish!”
She charges $25 for the workshop, which includes a wide-brimmed hat, ribbon, loose flowers, filler product and foliage to create their designs, as well as light snacks. (The shop has a BYOB policy, so customers can arrive with a bottle of wine if they choose.)
“From a florist’s perspective, this format gives you a real bang for your buck,” she said. “You just need some long-lasting flowers and simple elements that will hold up for a few days that you can affix with glue. It’s also a great way to find creative use for leftover ribbon and trims.” She purchases hats at the end of the summer season so she can get nice styles for a good price.
Davis-English hosts the class in the shop’s design room, which can accommodate about 15 students. “It’s nothing glam, but customers seem to enjoy being in the back, where they can see the coolers, etc.,” she said. “They particularly like when the class coincides with a busy wedding and we have a ton of flowers being prepped back there!”
