Chrysler's 'Sebring hats off to derby' award for Nina Rosenberg
08 May '07
3 min read
Rosenberg was named the grand prize winner for her unique Kentucky Derby hat that was made almost entirely from the convertible soft top material.
"Nina did a great job incorporating the convertible top fabric into her hat design by actually weaving the fabric into the suede and other materials of the hat. Her craftsmanship was top notch," said Susan Thomson, Senior Manager Chrysler Global Brand Communications. "We had a difficult decision choosing among our top three hats each entry was unique and well done. We thank all of the contestants for their time and energy."
The other "Hats Off to the Derby" finalists were: Tanya Law, Charleston, W. Va, who incorporated black striping and trim made from the convertible top fabric on her white straw hat Cynthia Lundeen, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who adorned her large lightweight scoop hat with an "S" made from the fabric Contest Overview.
The "Chrysler Sebring Hats Off to the Derby" contest began with nearly 300 entrants submitting sketches of original hat designs and essays describing how the Sebring Convertible inspired their design. A panel of judges narrowed the field to 15 and then the public had the opportunity to vote online at the contest Web site. Public votes, combined with judges' scores, determined the five semifinalists who were given seed money and convertible top fabric to construct their hats in about two weeks.
The finished hats were judged again on the originality and styling of the actual hat, the functionality of the hat while driving in a convertible and the appropriateness of the hat for the Kentucky Derby, with the top three vote getters being deemed finalists and winning trips to the Derby.