Where did you get that hat? Fred Butler’s Easter Parade!

Fashion’s great and very, very good were out in force last night at Fred Butler’s Easter Bonnet Party at London’s Sanderson Hotel. A parade of fabulous people strutted their stuff for a judging panel made up of Emma Elwick-Bates from Vogue, Alex Fury from LOVE Magazine and Stylist’s Margot Crow and Kim Howells.  Adorned in fascinating style with specially designed Easter themed headwear, they paraded through the beautiful outdoor section beside the hotel’s long bar, bypassing swinging egg-chairs and water features designed to wow the large crowd assembled.

The crowd did some head turning of its own with celebrities amassed to view and contribute to the competition. We spotted event founder and accessories designer Fred Butler, London based women’s wear designer Phoebe English, Artist and Designer Margot Bowman, Goldsmith’s educated Artist Phoebe Collings-James, and Harriet Vine, who is one half of super-jewellers Tatty Devine.

We drank cocktails, ate olives and bathed in the red glow of the courtyard garden’s heat lamps while the beautiful, fun and zany creations walked on by. To the sounds of spinning vinyl, wild cheers and corks popping we anxiously awaited the winner. From Kim Richardson’s Minnie Mouse inspired, giant bow fascinator (which was a triumph and one we’d love to get our hands on for Lady’s day) to BOGOF edible (style) designs such as Tatty Divine’s pair of fried eggs worn with a friend, the number one slot was hard to call.

As it turned out, two-for-one was the order of the day, with the winner modelling lemon gingham, Easter chick baskets and blonde hair pieces with 50s style headscarf and inflatable crowns. Milliner artist and costume designer Piers Atkinson’s designs certainly captured the theme of the evening and was a worthy winner. The Easter Bonnets will be auctioned on eBay to raise money for Kids Company, a charity which provides practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children, so a guilt free reason to get online and bid for the a unique hat to wear to this season’s races!

Fay Williams