By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

A hat made in the colours of the Bahamian flag by designer Gerty O'Brien stood out in the crowd at the famous Kentucky Derby in May this year, drawing the attention of an NBC reporter who quizzed the wearer about its origins.

Next to the actual horse racing, the fashion choices displayed by celebrities and spectators are a main event at the derby. And much like at the Royal Ascot in the UK, the hats are a sight to behold.

Gerty got in on the hat action when a friend asked for her help.

"My friend told me she and her husband were going to the Kentucky Derby but she needed a hat for the event. She said she wanted to wear the colours of the flag. I said, 'I got that covered'," she told Tribune Woman.

On race day, Gerty sat in the front of the TV looking to see her hat in the crowd, unfortunately she could not spot it. However, that did not mean it had gone unnoticed.

"After the derby was finished (my friend) sent me a WhatsApp message and there was the interview with the NBC reporter. The reporter saw the hat, pulled her over and said this is beautiful. The reporter then asked her about the significance of the colours and my friend told her what each colour represented," said Gerty.

The 65-year-old hat designer recalled beaming with joy and pride upon receiving the message.

"I do not know if I could ever feel that level of 'oomph' again. I was over the top. And I watched that interview over and over and over again. I sent a note to my children and my sisters and they congratulated me and told me it was about time," she said.

The interview brought international awareness to Gerty's creations. And in that moment she realised that her hat-making hobby needed to be turned into a full-fledged business. And so Gerty's Hats & Fascinators was born.

"That was what really put the fire under my wings and really pushed me to make this thing happen. Everyone said to me, 'You should have done this long ago' and now the time has come. There is nothing before the time and everything is in God's time," she said.

Gerty took big step forward in her business over the weekend when she displayed her hat designs and personal collection in a special showcase at BahaSea.

The event featured an array of hats in various styles and bold colours, all handmade by Gerty.

Gerty has been wearing hats since she was 17 years old. She said she was taught by her father that a woman should never enter the house of the Lord without her head covered. This became an unbreakable rule for Gertie and she has never gone to church without wearing a hat.

"The hat is like my signature. That is how people recognise me. I wear a hat every Sunday to church and I would complement my hat with a nice simple and classy dress," she said.

"My style of hats is just classy. They are hats that make a statement. They are hats that you are going to take a look at once, twice, three times. They are nice hats."

Hats have long since been an important accessory and statement piece in Bahamian fashion culture. However, though there are still many women who don their hats for Sunday services, especially during Easter and Christmas, the trend is somewhat waning when it comes to the younger generation.

"They are not into it because the hat will never complement the attire they wear. As far as they are concerned, hats are not for young people and it brings down their outfit I think," said Gerty.

While she accepts that her hats are usually for the more mature woman, it does not stop Gerty from encouraging younger women to step outside their fashion comfort zone and put on a hat when the occasion calls for it.

"I have two daughters and I can never get one of them to wear a hat. One of them may wear a fascinator but the other will not. Young girls I can get them to wear fascinators, but to put a hat to their face, they would wear it for a just moment," she said.

Nevertheless, Gerty continues to make more hats than she can count in the boldest of colours. Her only complaint at times is when she is asked to duplicate a style.

"I do not like doing that. I feel every hat should be as unique as the person wearing it."

For more on Gerty's hat designs, contact the designer at 242-544-2953.