January 31st, 2009
03:13 PM ET
7 years ago
People: Smithsonian requests Aretha's hat
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/US/01/22/lkl.aretha.franklin/art.franklin.gi.jpg caption="Aretha Franklin performed at Obama's inauguration."]
Michelle Obama’s now-famous Jason Wu gown isn’t the only piece of Inaugural fashion that is headed for the Smithsonian. The museum is also requesting the now-iconic hat that Aretha Franklin wore while singing at the swearing-in.
Aretha, however, is still undecided about parting with her Luke Song-designed hat. “I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history,” says the Queen of Soul.
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Perhaps the good folks at the Smithsonian have requested the hat in hopes that the Queen of Soul never wears it publicly again!
One persons trash is another person treasure. If Ms franklin wants to keep her hat that is he choice,but I understand the smithstonian veiw point to,Lady Soul is a treasure heself. Thank you for all the beautiful music.
I love that hat!!! She looked awesome in it. How killer is that, the Smithsonian wants it! Go Aretha!
ARETHA, WEARS THE HAT VERY WELL!
The hat is a ugly as you are Aretha! give the damm hat away! The goodwill to the goodwill industry would be most appreciated.
There was a lot of history made that day.
The hat in question contributed little.
This hat is truly iconic of both the inauguration and Aretha herself. What a lady!!! It should eventually make its way to the Smithsonian.
Give the hat.. Stop grandstanding...
When I was in college working at a entertainment complex and doing an internship in a jail the jailmates were all excited about Aretha coming to town. Sometimes I would talk to the performers, Yul Brenner was the nicest. I asked for Aretha's autograph for the women in jail and they flat out said no. I'm not surprised that she doesn't want to give up her hat...Give Aretha, give...
Wow. That's one big bow on that hat.
I laughed when I first saw it and then I realized that it's Aretha. So out of R-E S- P- E- C- T I stopped laughing. For a minute.
what is the matter with you people? the hat was the best and it most certainly needs to be included in america's attic-–long live the queen!
Because her hat is a history-making object is precisely the reason the Smithsonian wants to exhibit it. Aretha should get the designer to make her a copy, wear it as she wishes, and be proud that she was right up there with the president in making history.
Will it to them Aretha!
Good, put it in the museum, so no one will ever have to see it on TV again. It was absolutely awful, as was Michelle Obama's dress!
I love Aretha, but I probably would never take my son the Smithsonian someday to see this hat and watch his eyes light up at it. It's of significance to her, she ought to keep it if she wants.
This will be the #1 drag queen costume this coming Halloween.
The only place that hat belongs is in the dumpster.
I... LOVED... THAT... HAT.
Love the hat. Enjoy it and leave it in your will.
Maybe they just want it to keep her from wearing it in public again.
Give that ugly hat up so that these people can cover real news.
Consider donating the hat Aretha. You're right, it was a crowning moment in history and your hat became an icon of that moment. If you keep it at home, you can enjoy it yourself and your heirs can sell it for a lot of money later. If you give it to the Smithsonian, it becomes a permanent icon in American history and it becomes one more brick in the building that commemorates and marks this historic moment for all time. The hat has more power for good if you give it than if you keep it. Is it really personal satisfaction that you most want or is it something far bigger that you most want? Do you want your hat to mark one of the most momentous events in American history and remind people forever that we celebrated something magnificent on January 20,2009? Give the hat to the people of America for it represents a great stride for your people.
I would love to see Aretha's hat go to the Smithsonian. It would represent our 'black culture' and heritage. Our older 'mothers' in the church still wear 'big hats' during church service. The inaguration was defining moment for African Americans and Aretha and her 'hat' were a part of that moment.
People on this site who do not like the hat have no taste in fashion, or are either too young to know what they're talking about, and should probably keep their opinions to themselves. The hat is lovely and understated and is a great example of the "crowns" worn by many African-American church woman.
The Smithonsian's interest in the piece makes perfect sense, and I agree with those who say Ms. Franklin should donate the hat for historical purposes.
As for the hat's critics: I'd love to get a gander at your own closets. What is that saying: Better to keep silent and be thought ignorant, rather than open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
She's Aretha Franklin. She can wear whatever hat she wants to.
Personally, I doubt she would want to give it up! It is a fine example of a "crown."