Remember that big, glittery church hat Aretha Franklin donned when she sang at President Obama’s inauguration? The L.A. Times reports that the Luke Song original has received thousands of orders since Aretha wore it, taking the world to church as she sang "My Country ‘Tis of Thee."
Luke, who owns the Mr. Song Millinery in Detroit, "barely had any time to count" all of the inquiries he and his staff have received since last Tuesday.
Aretha’s hat was custom-designed and hand-molded by Luke over two days, and it cost about $500. But, of course, Aretha didn’t actually pay for the hat, since she’s shopped the hat store for 20 out of the store’s 25 years in business. Plus, the Queen of Soul helped design her crown by looking around the store and "adding and subtracting to what we had already" so the hat would match her coat.
Sassy ladies with bare heads can snag similar headgear from Luke’s shop for $179.
Update: The Smithsonian Institution has asked Aretha to submit her hat to be part of an exhibit that would also feature First Lady Michelle Obama’s Inaugural gown, according to the Chicago Tribune.
– Whitney Teal
