Aretha Franklin Boosts Retail, Inaugural Hat Gets Worldwide Acclaim

Sunday, November 22, 2009

By NjaiJoszor | Posted on 01/22/09 | Filed Under: R&B News, Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin's fabulous hat, worn at Barack Obama's inauguration on Tuesday is flying off the shelves and garnering the attention of international papers.

The Queen of Soul's acclaimed hat (pictured), designed by Mr. Song Millinery, is reportedly flying off the shelves in Detroit !

While the hat Mr. Millinery is selling is slightly different, his family owned business in Detroit has reportedly sold tons of the $179 hats since Tuesday.

According to the Detroit Free Press, phones started ringing just minutes after Aretha Franklin finished her distinctive rendition of "My Country, Tis of Thee," a song she says was very difficult to perform due to the weather:

"Yesterday, Mother Nature was not very kind to me. I'm going to deal with her when I get home. It, by no means, was my standard. I was not happy with it, but I just feel blessed because it could have been five above zero or five below zero like it is in Detroit," Franklin shared with CNN.

"Some singers it doesn't bother and others it does. I don't care for it. It affected my voice."

Despite the performance not being her best, Aretha is probably in awe with networks and people who are placing orders for the hat.

ABC's Sam Donaldson immediately shared his view on Aretha's hat saying: 'Live from Washington.. "Aretha Franklin... in traditional head gear".

Franklin's designer, who altered the hat to match Aretha's coat, says "It's an art form for me. For me, hats define a culture." Mr. Millinery says, Aretha's hat is heather-gray, done in wool felt with Swarovski crystals.

By the way, if you'd like your own 'Queen of Soul Styled Inaugural Hat,' you might be in for a wait as people across 'the pond' in England have already placed orders.

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Reader Comments (4) | Post Comment

Give me a break. Did she find that hat in a next to new shop or the city dump? I would be embarrased to wear that ugly thing to anything but a Halloween party and then only with a mask on.

Bob on 1/28/2009 8:50:32 AM

Madme Queen of Soul Hat was distinctly one of a kind.It diffenitely fit the royal occasion.Keep up the show,we love you down here.

jan Gilbert on 1/23/2009 10:59:24 PM

I love that hat and I love Ms. Franklin's version of AMERICA. She laid it out. I want her to know she is a national treasure and, please, keep on singing. She gave me chills.

Bettye on 1/23/2009 11:08:50 AM

Good for Aretha! She has spent the past few years being the "Bjork of Soul" with her infamous wardrobe choices; for which the public's scrutiny of her wardrobe greatly intensified after last year's Beyonce/Tina Turner public spat! Although she has never been a Diana Ross fashionista over her career, it is good to see she has some postive things going on within this new year!

Sam on 1/23/2009 8:38:26 AM

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