Horse racing is one of the most fashionable sports in the country — not just because of the colorful jackets worn by jockeys, but also the parade of hats displayed on the heads of fashion-forward spectators. Milliner Christine A. Moore is no stranger to the horse-racing world. She established her own brand in 1994 and has long designed racing outfits for the Kentucky Derby — four of which have been displayed in the Kentucky Derby Museum. Christine has been named a featured milliner of the Kentucky Derby five times and was the first milliner ever to be given the title.

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History

In 1798, 12-year-old Betsey Metcalf began braiding lengths of straw to make bonnets that mimicked the expensive hats she had seen in shop windows. Soon, she employed her sisters in the enterprise. “For 2 or 3 years we had a very profitable business,” she wrote in her diary. “I could frequently make a dollar a day.”

The Industrial Revolution changed the apparel industry, as manufacturers built machines that could mass-produce clothing and hats more quickly and with cheaper materials. While a desire for fine hats and quality materials still existed, there was less demand, forcing many hatmakers to seek other forms of employment.

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Christine A. Moore, Milliner

A student of art and costume design, Christine developed an early passion for millinery. After school, she moved to New York and worked in costume design on Broadway. She was a natural entrepreneur, and theater was her springboard. “I have a vision for what I want to put out in the world, which made entrepreneurship a natural direction [for me],” Christine says.

After starting her own millinery studio, Christine’s business really took off when an employee went home to Louisville for Thanksgiving and brought one of Christine’s designs and brochures with her. During the visit, the employee took the design to different stores and came back to New York with an order. Christine saw an opportunity and visited Louisville for a ladies’ luncheon, telling her rapt audience all the reasons they should start wearing hats to the derby. “The Southern lady is not afraid of fashion or of a big flower or a big bow,” Christine says, sharing one of her biggest takeaways from the gathering.

After that fateful luncheon, Christine was off to the races. She will tell you the early days were a bit “bow-heavy.” Her logo is a bow, and many of the designs heavily featured bow motifs. Gradually, she began to move into flowers. And today, her designs are accented with silky petals and hand-painted floral accoutrements. 

In 2009, Christine partnered with Churchill Downs and Mattel to design the official Barbie derby hat. That same year, her hats were featured on the official Kentucky Derby poster. In 2018, she designed the official Belmont Stakes 150th anniversary women’s and men’s hats, which American Triple Crown winner Justify signed using his hoofprint. In 2022, Christine was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which recognizes an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to the state. 

Christine has also been named the official milliner of the Iroquois Steeplechase. Each year, ladies don her looks for the classic event.

Christine’s work can be found gracing the pages of Vogue, Vanity Fair, InStyle and more. Her team of expert milliners and craftspeople are brilliantly creative, finding inspiration from the theater and nature. Christine’s designs will be featured in a trunk show at Gus Mayer April 10 and 11.