Catching God's Eye: The Language of Hats
Event Details
The Grand Tradition of the Black Church Women’s Hats — A Celebration of Style, Leadership and Righteous Rebellion
Saturday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Designer Everett Hoag and Yemi Sekoni of Donahue Models will be your tour guides through the event-filled decades of the 20th Century’s changing styles in fashion and hats. Early on African American women wore flamboyant hats made from beautiful, brightly colored materials. While they wanted to revere God, obey the scriptures, and complement their Sunday’s wear, they also intended that the exquisite design of their hats would catch God’s eye. It was a silent prayer they hoped would reach heaven and God. Many Black women of a certain age still do not enter a church for Sunday services dressed, as the elders might say, “any ole way.” And that means wearing a proper hat.
Wearing a crisp-cut outfit and matching hat may make you feel more powerful than you think. Not only does it change the way you feel… the way you see the world, it also changes how other people perceive you. Wearing a hat subtly conveys key priorities. It shows that you care about how you present yourself and your priorities of rebellion, independence, and self-expression. Till this day, African American women compliment on beautiful hats with the phrase ‘trying to catch God’s eye’.
Hats are fun and there is more to a stylish hat than pure function. Even if you are not aware, your hat is revealing a tale. Consequently, whatever you place on your head can change your view of the world and how the world views you, more than almost anything else you might wear.
Angela Nash Wade will perform a classic poem by Maya Angelou and Denise Barge will offer a tip of the hat to the Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women’s beloved Sister Hat Tea.
Please wear your favorite hat to our lively, interactive fashion show!
Share your hat story with us!
Free
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This event is part of a series of exhibition related programming presented by WaterFire Providence in association with the EYE TO EYE exhibition; funded in part by the Rhode Island Foundation.
See the full event listing: waterfire.org/eyetoteye-programming.
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