[Nfb-krafters-korner] Fascinator
Blindhands at aol.com
Blindhands at aol.com
Sun Oct 28 17:31:27 UTC 2012
Fascinator
>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kate_in_Ottawa_for_Canada_Day_2011_croped.jpg)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kate_in_Ottawa_for_Canada_Day_2011_croped.jpg)
_Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine,_Duchess_of_Cambridge) wearing a red fascinator during her visit to Canada
in 2011
A fascinator is a _headpiece_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headpiece) , a
style of _millinery_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatmaking) . The word
originally referred to a fine, lacy head covering akin to a _shawl_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawl) and made from _wool_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool) or _lace_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lace) , but mostly
feathers. In the modern usage, it refers to a woman's alternative to hat for
formal attire; it is usually a large hair decoration on a band or clip with
elaborate trimmings and decoration like a formal hat and it can incorporate a
base to make it a miniature hat.
Today, a fascinator may be worn instead of a hat on occasions where hats
were traditionally worn—such as weddings—or as an evening accessory, when it
may be called a _cocktail hat_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocktail_hat)
. It is generally worn with fairly formal attire.
A substantial fascinator is a fascinator of some size or bulk. Bigger than
a _barrette_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrette) , modern fascinators
are commonly made with _feathers_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather) ,
_flowers_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower) or _beads_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bead) ._[1]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator#cite_note-0) They attach to the hair by a _comb_ (http://en.wikipedia.or
g/wiki/Comb) , _headband_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headband) or _clip_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairpin_(fashion)) . The fun, fanciful ornament is
often embellished with crystals, beads, or loops of ribbon, and attaches via a
comb or headband; some have a small, stiff, flat base that can be secured
with bobby pins. They are particularly popular at premium horse-racing
events, such as the _Grand National_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_National) , _Kentucky Derby_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Derby) and the
_Melbourne Cup_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Cup) . Brides may
choose to wear them as an alternative to a bridal _veil_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veil) or hat, particularly if their gowns are non-traditional.
At the _wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_of_Prince_William_and_Catherine_Middleton) in April
2011, various female guests arrived wearing fascinators. Amongst them was
_Princess Beatrice of York_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Beatrice_of_York) , who wore a piece designed by the Irish milliner _Philip Treacy_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Treacy) . The unusual shape and colour
caused quite a media stir and went on to become an internet phenomenon with
its own _Facebook_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook) page._[2]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator#cite_note-1) _[3]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator#cite_note-2) _[4]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator#cite_note-3) Princess Beatrice used the publicity to auction it off
on _eBay_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EBay) , where it garnered 99,000
Euros. The sum was donated to charity by her._[5]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator#cite_note-4) _[6]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator#cite_note-5)
In 2012 _Royal Ascot_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Ascot) announced
that women will have to wear hats, not fascinators, as part of a
tightening of the dress code in Royal Ascot's Royal Enclosure._[7]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator#cite_note-6) In previous years female racegoers
were simply advised that "many ladies wear hats."_[8]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator#cite_note-7)
Joyce Kane
_www.KraftersKorner.org_ (http://www.krafterskorner.org/)
Blindhands at AOL.com
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