Stories

Brooklyn Derby 2011:

Photo Gallery

captions by WORKSHOP's Jessi Arrington

photography by Brandon Wickenkamp

Brooklyn design firm WORKSHOP has been hosting Brooklyn Derby, a Kentucky Derby celebration, for eight years running. This year they used MailChimp to help get the word out, and we sent a photographer to the event to capture all the glamorous hats and mint juleps. Captions by WORKSHOP's Jessi Arrington.

            
              Whatcha Got In Those Barrels?
              This year’s party was at the newly opened, beautiful Brooklyn Winery. Both wine and bourbon are aged in barrels, and both make us really happy, so we decided this is a good fit.
            
              Beautiful Guests in Beautiful Hats
              We are always impressed with how great looking the people are at this party. Andrea Johnson shows off a hat from the Do-It-Yourself Hat Table run by Jessi’s uber-crafty mom, Martha.
            
              The Mint Julep
              Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Simple Syrup, Crushed Ice and Mint. These suckers are sweet but STRONG, and they are ALWAYS the favorite drink at the party!
            
              Making An Entrance
              Rachel Sattler and Megan Spell show off their fabulous hats on the way into the party. Megan took Third Place, The Congeniality Award, in the hat contest with her hat formed from hair!
            
              A Lovely Couple
              These two show us how to take Derby fashions up a notch. We especially love it when the guys go all out. A bowtie and seersucker suit are guaranteed to make you a big hit!
            
              And They’re Off!
              We all cheer for our horses hoping to get a return on our $2 bets, I mean raffle tickets! Guests who put their money on Animal Kingdom took home around $60 per ticket. Thanks to Sebastial Alaphat and Damon Zappacosta for running the Teller Window this year!
            
              Our Own Run For The Roses
              The fantabulous Mr. Chris Roan is in his fourth year of emceeing the event in his custom-made jockey costume. He always pulls out all the stops!
            
              The Hat Contest
              Miniature horses always make great hat decor.
            
              Interviewing the Contestants
              Mr. Roan asks hard-hitting questions like, "What’s it made out of?" Contestants are judged on craftsmanship and creativity as well as personality.
            
              Hands On
              Mr. Roan attempts to determine the structural viability of the contestants’ hats. 
            
              Heads Up
              Mr. Roan deconstructs the artistic implications of a giant horse head formed from pink yarn and a craft product called Stiffy™.
            
              Judge’s Table
              Frank Chimero takes his role as Hat Contest Judge as seriously as one who’s judging a hat contest while drinking mint juleps should.
            
              And The Winners Are
              Creighton dons a horse head to award hat contest trophies, and Jessi reminds us that everyone's a winner when you're drinking mint juleps.
            
              Winners Circle
              The best hats in all of Brooklyn!
            
              Brooklyn Style
              Brooklyn has a fabulous, fearless style all its own. Our hat contest Runner Up, Cheryl Matson, is a perfect example.
            
              Flower Power
              Emily Caufield soaking in the sunshine from under her fun, floral hat. How is it that everyone at this party looks so great!?
            
              Bright Hats and Big Smiles
              Kaila Packett found the perfect hat for her outfit at the DIY Hat Table. Stunning!
            
              Hosting Duties
              WORKSHOP’s three founders, Josh Stewart, Jessi Arrington and Creighton Mershon, toast the achievement of hosting this event together for eight years. What started as a dozen people has grown to 300. WORKSHOP says THANK YOU to everyone who attended the party the party, and a MAJOR THANK YOU to the event sponsors: Maker’s Mark, MailChimp and Typekit. WORKSHOP loves you!
            
              Down-home Signage
              Handpainted banners of WORKSHOP’s founders as well-dressed race horses hang in a row: Sour Apple Stewart, Rowdy Jes and Crazy Legz Mershon.
            
              Fun and Games
              A perennial favorite, guests get pretty competitive about this game called Corn Toss in which you attempt to toss a bag filled with corn into your opponent’s, um, hole.
            
              Checklist in Hand
              Mr. Roan takes a moment to look up from his clipboard and survey the fun. He’s the hardest working man in derby business. 
            
              Lady in Red (Hat)
              Heather Murphy looks beautiful enjoying a julep in her red hat.