Unbridled Style: The Allure of the Kentucky Derby

Summary

Podcast Summary: Unbridled Style: The Allure of the Kentucky Derby

Podcast: Kennedy Saves the World
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Christine Moore, Featured Milliner of the Kentucky Derby
Date: April 29, 2026

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Overview

In this lively episode, Kennedy celebrates the Kentucky Derby's unique blend of fashion, tradition, and festivity, focusing particularly on the iconic culture of Derby hats. Joined by renowned milliner Christine Moore, the conversation explores the art of hat-making, the Derby’s historic roots, personal stories, and why the event holds such enduring allure for so many. With Kennedy’s trademark wit and Moore’s enthusiastic expertise, listeners are treated to inside stories on millinery, memorable commissions, and the irresistible draw of Derby style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The History and Culture of the Derby (00:00–02:18)

• Historical Origins:
  • Kennedy shares the Derby’s roots, noting Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. (grandson of William Clark of Lewis and Clark) founded the Louisville Jockey Club, which became Churchill Downs, and was instrumental in promoting the use of hats at the Derby.
  • “He was a big hat guy, and his name was Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.” (01:42, Kennedy)
• Purpose of the Derby:
  • Moore notes it began as an effort to legitimize horse racing in America, similar to traditions in England, and hats were introduced to attract women and elevate the event’s fashion status.

2. Hat Culture: Tradition and Innovation (02:19–06:28)

• Hat as a Fashion Statement:
  • Kennedy and Moore reminisce about the tradition of extravagant hats at the Derby and how it’s become a bucket-list event.
  • “Hats make people happy, and horses give people rides when they've had too much bourbon to drink and they want to keep their hats on.” (00:20, Kennedy)
• Special Commissions:
  • Moore reveals the creation of a custom hat, "The Lotus," inspired by Kennedy’s daughter—and gives it to Kennedy on air.
  • “She is going to pretend to be mortified, but she's going to be really excited... A hat made in her honor.” (03:17, Kennedy)
• Wild Requests & Customization:
  • Moore frequently accepts special requests, recounting playful commissions (casino-themed fascinators, hats inspired by names, birdcages, and even "Wisconsin cheese" hats).
  • “Anything can be a hat. And then I do everything in my style, but I love it when people give me inspiration.” (03:38, Christine Moore)

3. Derby Day Experience & The Energy of the Event (06:11–09:34)

• The Derby’s Irresistible Magnetism:
  • Both discuss the fast-paced, celebratory atmosphere—where fashion, people-watching, and conviviality eclipse even the races.
  • “It's the quickest two minutes in sports, but honestly, it's the quickest two days in your whole life…like, if you thought your wedding went fast, just wait till you see the Derby.” (07:06, Moore)
• Food, Drinks, & Festivities:
  • Kennedy ponders the event’s cuisine, but Moore admits, “a milliner does not have time to eat” during Derby week (07:56).
• Fashion Trends:
  • The enduring popularity of hats versus the “fascinator moment,” with a resurgence in very wide-brimmed hats, mostly for their dramatic effect more than sun coverage.

4. Craftsmanship & Artistic Process (08:21–16:08)

• Making a Hat:
  • Moore details her authentic, hands-on process: hand-dyeing straws, making custom flowers and bows, focusing on texture and hues to ensure hats are wearable beyond a single event.
  • “Everything's from scratch. So it's like the real thing. It's real millinery. But I love texture. I love different textures together.” (08:21, Moore)
• Hat as Sculpture:
  • Discusses her roots in sculpting and rendering, viewing millinery as wearable art.
  • “I was sculpting everything… And then when I met my first professional job as assistant designer at the Walnut Street Theater…I was like, this is the... costume design, fashion, and sculpture, everything. And then I threw in rendering…this is it.” (13:09, Moore)
• Material Innovation:
  • Moore shares about using varied materials—from Chinese parasisal straw to Ecuadorian Panama reeds to Japanese crocheted paper. Kennedy marvels at the ingenuity.
  • “How do they treat the paper? So you can crochet it.” (15:10, Kennedy)

5. Most Notable & Wild Hat Requests (10:02–11:32)

• Standouts:
  • The casino-themed hat for 2026, massive flower-laden hats for the “quintessential Derby lady,” and past themed hats like the Wisconsin cheese hat.
  • “Last year we did the 21 Wisconsin cheese hats. That was pretty wacky.” (10:09, Moore)
  • “If she…She has neck strength like nobody has.” (10:51, Moore)
• On Hat Weight and Wear:
  • Some hats can weigh up to 4-5 pounds due to their ornate construction—a feat to wear all day.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the excitement of the Derby:
  “It's just like they say, it's the quickest two minutes in sports, but honestly, it's the quickest two days in your whole life.” — Christine Moore (07:06)

• On custom hats:
  “Anything can be a hat…I'm doing a gambler. Somebody wants a gambler inspired gambling inspired fascinator for derby. And I'm gonna do like a roulette wheel and dice.” — Christine Moore (03:38)

• On fashion’s transformation at the Derby:
  “The fashion times, the lifestyle, and there's some horses there.” — Christine Moore (06:28)

• On her process:
  “Everything's from scratch…it's real millinery. But I love texture…” — Christine Moore (08:21)

• On wild hat requests:
  “Last year we did the 21 Wisconsin cheese hats. That was pretty wacky.” — Christine Moore (10:10)

• On men’s hats:
  “Because we can't forget the guys, they all are super hot into the fashion, too.” — Christine Moore (14:42)

• Kennedy on hats and Derby spirit:
  “Hats make people happy, and horses give people rides when they've had too much bourbon to drink and they want to keep their hats on.” — Kennedy (00:20) “You're my official milliner.” — Kennedy (17:11)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:18: Derby origins, significance of hats, and introduction of Christine Moore.
• 02:19–06:28: Discussion of hat culture, personal stories, and unique commissions.
• 06:29–09:34: The Derby experience, food, fashion trends, the social scene.
• 10:02–11:32: Wildest hat requests, material discussion, and hat weight.
• 13:09–14:31: Artistic process, hat as sculpture, and Moore’s journey into millinery.
• 14:33–16:08: Innovative materials, men’s hats, and creative experimentation.
• 16:29–17:14: Where to find Christine Moore’s creations and social media.

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Where to Find Christine Moore

• Website: camhats.com
• Instagram: @camhatsnyc

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Final Thoughts

This episode blends humor, history, and artistry in an energetic ode to the Kentucky Derby’s unique style. Kennedy and Christine Moore’s rapport highlights the creativity and tradition behind the event’s legendary fashion, offering listeners an engaging behind-the-scenes look at the passion and craftsmanship that make Derby hats unforgettable. Whether you’re a Derby veteran or a newcomer, this episode shines with wit, inspiration, and timeless Southern glamour.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Hello, and welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. The Kentucky Derby is upon us. I still have never been, but I celebrate every single year. Anything that has hats, you combine that with horses and bourbon, and you cannot go wrong, because hats make people happy, and horses give people rides when they've had too much bourbon to drink and they want to keep their hats on. Christine Moore is with me. She is one of the official milliners. I don't know if I'm allowed to say the official milliner. What is the. What is the designation?

[B]

I'm the first ever featured milliner. And the reason I featured Featured. Now I'm official for other things, like Breeders cup and. But the reason I picked Featured was because the market, the hat market was there before I came, so I didn't. I didn't invent it. So I feel like to give to be. To be honoring the people, the milliners that came before me and the milliners that live there. That's why I picked a featured, because I thought it was pretty. I don't know. What do you say? It would be rude to say official, you know, because I'm coming out.

[A]

Featured is nice. Yeah, you are. So we've been able to visit the last few years. I love when you bring your hats. It makes me so happy. I was reading a little bit more about the origins of the Kentucky Derby this year, and William Clark's. So William Clark of Lewis and Clark, his grandson, really started the Kentucky Derby. Like, he started the Louisville Jockey Club, which became Churchill Downs. And he pushed for the Derby and he pushed for the hats.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

He was a big hat guy, and his name was Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.

[B]

And this house is there.

[A]

Oh, really?

[B]

Yeah. It's really cool. Yeah. I stumbled upon it and was like, ah, this is really cool. I didn't know that. I knew he was from Kentucky, but I didn't know his house is right there. And you can go visit and go to the Derby as well.

[A]

Oh, that's amazing. Make a week.

[B]

But it really was about legitimizing racing because they, you know, you hear, like, even in the book Seabiscuit, it was just like, you know, the people would gather and have races and, you know, and then it was betting and, you know, and they wanted. They wanted to legit, legitimize it like it was in England.

[A]

And so they.

[B]

How do you bring the ladies in? But you, you know, fashion. Right.

[A]

And how do you elevate fashion with hats? So you've got some beautiful pieces Tell me.

[B]

Okay, well, I have a special one here. Okay. It's called the Lotus.

[A]

Stop it right now.

[B]

I told you last year that I was going to make a hat named after your daughter because she's named.

[A]

Her name is Lotus.

[B]

And so we finally finished it. And when we finished it, my director of operations said to me, I think we have to make another one. Because she's like, you can't give that one away. And I said, oh, I'm giving it to Kennedy.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yes. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Can I put it on my head?

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. Join the club. And it has a comb, so you can keep it in.

[A]

Oh, that is extraordinary. Look at that.

[B]

So you have your mint juleps on derby day.

[A]

That is beautiful.

[B]

I'll have to make a mini one for Lotus.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. She is going to be. She's going to pretend to be mortified, but she's going to be really excited. She's going to be, like, on the inside. She's going to be beaming a hat made in her honor. This is so beautiful. You were talking about it last year, and you have done it. How often do you get special requests like that?

[B]

Oh, well, as often as possible. I love it. I love a challenge. So when somebody. I'm sorry it just took me this long, but I love it. Anything can be a hat. And then I do everything in my style, but I love it when people give me inspiration. Like, I'm doing a gambler. Somebody wants a gambler inspired gambling inspired fascinator for derby. And I'm gonna do like a roulette wheel and dice. And she even told me her husband loves casinos, so she even told me what she wanted where, and it's like, isn't that fun? That is so cool.

[A]

For this year.

[B]

Yeah, for this year. Yeah. And then. And I always. I lead with elegance, so it will be elegant. I promise you that. Because we are trying in the derby, like, it is a serious fashion affair. So we've slowly gotten rid of, like, stuffed horses on hats and stuff like that. So I want to say it will be elegant.

[A]

Did you ever have live animals on hats?

[B]

No, actually. That's funny you should say that. So years ago, someone wanted me to put a birdcage on their hat for a party in Greece. And she, you know, I made the bird, the whole thing. And, you know, to be. I didn't think about the bird in the cage and to think that, you know, I wanted it to tilt in such a way that, you know, it just would dip into the eyes and be very Elegant and all that. And then her brother said, I don't think the bird's gonna be able to sit still akimbo.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

So, yeah. So I ended putting it, but she ended up not having a bird in it anyway.

[A]

Oh, okay. Yeah, Maybe a fake bird.

[B]

Yeah, that'd be better. Yeah.

[A]

You know, you go to Michael's, they got a selection of fake birds. I'm sure they have a fake bird aisle and.

[B]

Yeah, you know, exactly. You get a whole flock.

[A]

Yeah, just shove them all in there. Yeah, but I was thinking about that, you know, and then you were talking last year about some of your special requests. Like, you know, oh, the cheese. Making a hat after someone's child's name, which this is. So can I wear it to the correspondence center?

[B]

Well, I was hoping. I was hoping.

[A]

Cause I wore it last year. I wore the one you gifted me last year.

[B]

Oh, yeah. And it was beautiful. Actually, I think two years, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But, yeah, that's great. That's what I was hoping that you would do that. And then. Then on Derby day, you wear it in your. Yeah, absolutely.

[A]

I won't. And, you know, it's like, this is not my year, but I know there's going to be a very special year because the derby is magnetic for people. And how did it get to be at the top of so many people's bucket list? Like, what it is. What is it about the Derby that really draws people there?

[B]

I really. It's. I think it's really the fashion. The fashion times, the lifestyle, and there's some horses there. So, I mean. And a lot of the people in the race, the owners and the trainers, wives and the. And jockey wives wear my hats, so. And so there is that. So I want to. Very respectful. But it really is just the fashion, the people watching and the. And, you know, I'm sure fights break out here and there somewhere, but everybody's so happy and smiling and it's just like they say, it's the quickest two minutes in sports, but honestly, it's the quickest two days in your whole life. Like, it is amazing. Like, if you thought your wedding went

[A]

fast, just wait till you see the derby.

[B]

So fun. Yeah. And it's just. Is there good food? Well, that's okay. I wonder how.

[A]

Because you might be so busy you don't even have time to eat.

[B]

Yes, exactly. So we. But I would say yes, I think the food is yummy, but I really think you probably would have to ask a guest that. And people don't complain. So I would Say probably, yes, it's very good. I mean, everybody has a reason to complain, right? But I think also the drinks help everything taste better. But to tell the truth, I was on in 2021, and that was one of the questions they asked. And how I won is they said, well, what restaurants do you go to in Louisville?

[A]

I didn't.

[B]

I don't have a milliner. Does not have time to eat. No. Especially with derby.

[A]

I mean. I mean, look at these hats that are so intricate and beautiful. I mean, it's like you have this translucent brim, and, you know, you have so many different types of navy. You've got organza, and you've got loving navy.

[B]

Know your fabrics.

[A]

Oh, this is. Thank you, Kennedy.

[B]

So. Right. And everything. This is my artwork, so it's very distinct. You know, it's. But, yes, I make my own flowers, my own bows. Well, my staff and I, we make. I dye the straw. Everything's from scratch. So it's like the real thing. It's real millinery. But I love texture. I love different textures together. I like different shades together. I want people to wear their hat more than once. So I like to have, like, something like a blush or, like, a navy or something that brings it back. Back in a cream. Unless it's a special order where someone's like, you know what I never want to wear? I'm never going. I just want a souvenir. I'm gonna wear this. I don't care if I ever wear it again.

[A]

From all angles, this is stunning.

[B]

And the fact, you know, the hat's still leading American fashion, but the fascinator is definitely still in the fascinator moment, because we had. You know.

[A]

But after William and Harry's weddings, and it's like seeing the royal family and their fascinators, everyone's like, oh, I want one of those. And, you know, it's like, it's definitely

[B]

a major part of American hat fashion now, but the hat's still selling better. Or in the last two years, the hats have been selling better.

[A]

Yeah, the wide brimmed.

[B]

Well, just the hat. Yes. A wide brim. But then this year, we've seen, like, the super wide brim. We're selling out of all. Like, anything that's this size.

[A]

Like, is it because people want sun coverage?

[B]

10? No, they just want to be seen. They just want to be seen.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Fascinated.

[A]

It's too subtle.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. Or. Yeah. Or go really tall, but, yeah, that's cool.

[A]

Don't go anywhere more. Kennedy saves the world right after this. What's the wildest hat you were tasked with this year? Was it the casino hat?

[B]

It's a casino hat, yeah. Last year we did the 21 Wisconsin cheese hats. That was pretty wacky. I am doing a hat for. We call her Pattyn, who's our quintessential derby lady, who always. She's known for the photo. What is it? A photo of her in front of the Kentucky Derby sign. And she's got a hat this big, that's red and big flower. Every year we make a. We try to build on that. She. This year is going to have a head full of roses. So beautiful. So it's going to be. And if. Look, if she is. If she. She has neck strength like nobody has.

[A]

How heavier are those?

[B]

They're pretty heavy because once, you know, it's all fabric. So it can weigh something. Anything with that much stuff on it could weigh something, whether it's fabric or like flowers. No, probably. No. No. Like a hat weighs less than. Generally weighs less. Like a couple ounces. So I would say this is probably like four or five pounds still.

[A]

I mean, think of like a five pound dumbbell on your head. That'd be really hard to carry around.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's when she wears it to church the next day.

[A]

Bless her bones. Exactly. Yeah, yeah. God's like, okay, you. You're. You're chosen. Well done.

[B]

I like that you came dressed for the affair.

[A]

Yes, you did. Yes, you did. Well, I love it. And was the lotus creation unique to your menagerie?

[B]

We have different lotuses, but this one's unique. So we have like littler lotuses, but nothing so spectacular. Not painted and nothing so, so spectacular. Oh.

[A]

So tell me about this. Tell me about the process that went into it.

[B]

So the outer layer, the lowest layer is the support and it's fused silk. And then we modge podge the silk, and then we paint in the colors and then the next layer are like our normal.

[A]

Do you mix the paint in the mod podge?

[B]

No, we don't do that. So the paint goes on the mod podge first and then the paint and then each petal. So we pattern out the silk petals, just the regular fabric petals. Paint each one of those and then sew them up, turn them inside out, press them down, and then we form the flower. Wow. And so, yeah, so it's. And my production manager, Diane, painted them. So I will admit I can design. I'm a terrible painter. So in art school, I was just like, just getting by in the painting. I can Sketch. I have. I've done a retro. I mean, a gallery exhibition of my sketches. I'm a great sculptor, but painting bleh. So I could just tell them how I want it done. I love that.

[A]

So what do you consider. Do you consider this to be a form of sculpture?

[B]

Yes, I do. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I actually. When I was in art school for rendering, I took a few sculpture classes, and I was like, this is so cool. I love sculpture. Just couldn't find. I was sculpting everything, like, and then anything I could find, just making sculpture. And then when I met my first professional job as assistant designer at the Walnut Street Theater in Philly, I met a milliner, and I was like, this is, like, costume design, fashion, and sculpture, everything. And then I threw in rendering just as a communication, and I was like, this is the. This is it.

[A]

Was that, like, the lightning bolt that.

[B]

Yeah. So I only worked two years. So it's been 30 years that I've been making hats. So it's two years as an assistant designer, and then it was like, this is it. And this is all I'm gonna do. This is it. You know, it's like, I'm not taking any of. Because even when I would work in theater before I really launched full time with my millinery business, fashion business, I would write in my contract I would not be a stitcher. It could only do crafts in millinery. So one time when I was stitching, the production manager ran out, and he's like, you're stitching. You don't have to. It's in your contract. You don't have to stitch. And I was, like, helping my pals out, so it was okay, But I was like, it's all I've done. Wow.

[A]

And what kind of straw is it that you use?

[B]

Okay.

[A]

This is parasisal.

[B]

So it's a finely woven straw, and it actually grows in China. So it is from China. This is.

[A]

So what fiber?

[B]

Like, these are men's. Oh, we can't forget the man, right?

[A]

No.

[B]

Look at those. That's a little smush coming up from 34th street, but that's okay. But it's, like, so cute. So Panama is. Is made. And because we can't forget the guys, they all are super hot into the fashion, too. And getting more into the fashion. This is from Ecuador. Reed grows there, so weave it there. This is actually paper, crocheted paper, and it's from Japan. Yeah.

[A]

That is so cool.

[B]

Isn't that cool?

[A]

How do they treat the paper? So you can crochet it.

[B]

Well, I don't know how they do it. Which would be a reason to go out to Japan and find out how they do it, because you can also get. I can get flat. Like, it's almost like Panama. I can get flat bodies, like, really. But you can wear this in the rain, and you could wear the. Even the. Not the crocheted, but just the flat woven. That's kind of similar to or similar to this. And it doesn't dissolve. It's, like, really sturdy, so I don't know what they coat it with.

[A]

Yeah, that's incredible.

[B]

That's really cool.

[A]

But it does give it a completely different look. It's obviously a crocheted material, but when you touch it and you see that there's like, a stiffness and pliability to it.

[B]

That's pretty rad. Yeah.

[A]

I don't know how you thought of using paper, but that's pretty cool.

[B]

I don't know how they. The Japanese, figure that out.

[A]

Yeah. But the fact that you abstracted that and you're like, send it to me. I will put it in one of my hats.

[B]

Didn't I say anything could be a hat? Yeah. You know, it's like, I've sewn plaster,

[A]

but it's not just like, you're just throwing stuff on there. There's so much thought and, you know, like you said, elegance to each and every one of your pieces. I'm so glad you came by. I'm so looking forward to the derby, and I will look for all of your hats. Get it, girl. Christine Moore. Where can people find you?

[B]

Well, camhats.com camhats.com and when you go to camhats.com you can see my collections, but you can also see where I'm gonna be. So next week, I'm gonna be at the derby, actually.

[A]

Right? Yeah.

[B]

But you can see where I'm gonna be around the country. I sell to stores and specialize in events, so you never know where I'm gonna pop up.

[A]

Oh, that's so awesome. And what's your Instagram? Because you have, like. That is, like, the best curation of.

[B]

Yeah, it's camhats nyc. So it's C a M H a T S n y C. Amazing.

[A]

So go check out her Instagram and hopefully I will high five you somewhere in one of these incredible hats. Christine, you are amazing.

[B]

Oh, thank you. You are too.

[A]

You're my official milliner.

[B]

Oh, thank you. We're a good team.

[A]

Amen. All right, this has been Kennedy saves the world along with Christine Moore. I'm Kennedy Listen ad free. With a Fox News Podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts and Amazon prime, members can listen to this show ad free on the Amazon Music app. Oh, go ahead and leave me a review while you're there. I'd love to hear what you have to say. You've been listening to Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News Podcast Network.