LADIES TAKE PART IN ANNUAL HAT CONTEST

Women sport their finest bonnets, chapeaus and headpieces during Ladies Day

EASTTOWN » More than 125 area women sporting their finest bonnets, chapeaus and headpieces took part in the annual hat contest at Ladies Day at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Wednesday. The themed category, Best Jewels of Devon and Best in Show was won by the appropriately named, Tiffany Arey of Collegeville with her Devon & Company Tiffany styled hat.

Her baby blue hat, matching both Devon’s color and a Tiffany box, included a “Dixon Oval” diamond broach and a “Gold Ring.” Visitors to Devon know those names as the competition rings at the horse show. Judges commented about the jewelry boxes on the hat and her accompanying bags which included the words “Devon & Co.” much as they look on authentic jewelry boxes.

Arey said she makes her hats herself. She also makes hats for others as well as renting them to clients who want to enjoy wearing custom hats to the seasonal horse shows but don’t have time to make their own. Arey said it was time-consuming to make the hats. Arey has been taking part in the event for the past six years. In 2013 when she won Best in Show with ”Propper Toppers,” a British themed hat.

Tickets for the event cost $65 in advance and $80 at the door. Tickets included a reception and butler-served hors d’oeuvres. Devon Ladies Committee member, Laura Wood said the event has been very popular with both the public and sponsors. She said the hat contest raises a lot of money for the horse show and ultimately Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Karen Maynard of Berwyn, public relations and sponsorship volunteer at Devon, said the hat competition began about 12 years ago when Lily Pulitzer Clothing, wanted to do something with hats and outfits. “They hosted it the first two years,” Maynard said. “Then it morphed into something different. It’s very competitive now.”

Ella Becket, 10, of Berwyn won second prize in the Most Fascinating category. It featured Country Fair themed lemon sticks and the Ferris wheel. She was aided by her horse trainer, Nina Shaffer, in its creation. Another Ferris wheel themed winning hat was Joanne Bogan of Newtown Square.

“I made it myself,” said Bogan. ”It took a lot of time to make, but I love it.” She won Best Group hat with Sharon Bozentka, Anette Brennan and Tina Aberant for their Devon Jewels hats.

The winner from the past two years, Rustin High School French teacher Pam Bastings didn’t compete but was on hand in her Elizabethan hat and dress. “I wore this for my French class this morning, now I’m at Devon. I love to come and support the ladies hat event,” said Bastings.

Judges included television personality Carson Kressley, and 6ABC Action News meteorologist Adam Joseph. Following the event, Kressley was also on hand to autograph copies of his new book, “Does This Book Make My Butt Look Big?: A Cheeky Guide to Feeling Sexier in

Your Own Skin & Unleashing Your Personal Style.”

Other judges included: Hillary Dobbs, Caroline O’Halloran, Brittney Levine, Christine Moore, Brenda Waites Bolling, and Kristin Detterline.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Television personality Carson Kressley, left, takes a selfie with Devon ladies group hat winners: Sharon Bozentka, Joanne Bogan, obscured, Anette Brennan, Tina Aberant and judge Caroline O’Halloran, bottom right. More than 125 area women sporting their...

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Dolly Rosen of Glenmoore with her Devon hat. Her group won second prize with their “Imaginarian” theme: seasons, weather and the hand of creative force.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Carson Kressley with Ella Becket, 10, of Berwyn, who won second prize in the Most Fascinating category. It featured Country Fair themed lemon sticks and the Ferris wheel. She was aided by her horse trainer Nina Shaffer in its creation. More than 125...

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The winner from the past two years, Rustin High School French teacher Pam Bastings, didn’t compete but was on hand in her Elizabethan hat and dress.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The themed category, Best Jewels of Devon and Best in Show was won by the appropriately named Tiffany Arey of Collegeville with her Devon & Company Tiffany styled hat. Her baby blue hat, matching both Devon’s color and a Tiffany box, included a “Dixon...

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Allison Maxim of Wayne sports an Ella Grace hat at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair hat contest.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Nancy Foster of Aston with a peacock hat made by her mother, Ruth Foster.