Open image in slideshow, Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show | The Ultimate Sugar Show. Atlanta, GA

Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show

$25.00

"Dressing up is an essential part of Southern style, and churchgoing Southern ladies are known for their stylish ensembles—especially the pretty hats that can be matched with a Sunday suit...Church hats remain an essential part of many women’s Sunday best and church outfits across the South." ~ Southern Living Magazine Online

On Saturday, September 25, 2021, The Ultimate Sugar Show will celebrate one of the greatest Southern traditions by hosting a Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show (aka Church Lady Hat Show). During this fun lively competition, participants are required to present a Southern style, wearable hat using mostly edible materials.

Open image in slideshow, Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show | The Ultimate Sugar Show. Atlanta, GA
Open image in slideshow, Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show | The Ultimate Sugar Show. Atlanta, GA
Open image in slideshow, Edible hat from the Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show | The Ultimate Sugar Show. Atlanta, GA
Open image in slideshow, Edible hat from the Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show | The Ultimate Sugar Show. Atlanta, GA

Review the Competition Details

Important Deadlines & Event Day

The appropriate registration fee of $25 must be submitted online no later than 11:59 PM EST on Thursday September 16, 2021. NO late entries will be accepted once registration has closed.

The LIVE Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show & Competition will take place in the Vendor Hall of the Cobb Galleria Centre on Saturday, September 25 from 1 PM until 2 PM.

All competitors MUST check-in at the Main Stage by 12:30 PM on Saturday in order to participate in the LIVE Fashion Show/Presentation.

Competitors are required to provide a printed description of their hat details (including materials, etc) during check-in. This description will be used by the Fashion Show announcer.

Hats must be worn/modeled during the Fashion Show. The model is not required to wear a non-edible outfit to compliment or match their hat. However, we strongly encourage competitors to consider their complete presentation. As we all know, no Southern Lady would dare be caught in public without completely matching from head to toe.

Competitors must provide their own model for the Fashion Show. The designer is allowed to also model their design in the show.

All entries will be placed on display after the Fashion Show. However, competitors are encouraged to have their model/team tour their hat through the Vendor Hall to help encourage online & in-person voting. (See Voting & Winner Selection for more details.)

Competitors will be provided a stand/mannequin head upon which to display their hat upon conclusion of the Fashion Show.

Voting will begin at 2 PM on Saturday, September 25 and conclude promptly at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 26. Refer to the "Voting & Winner Selection" section to learn more about the voting process.

Hats may be removed from the display area on Sunday, September 26, 2021 between the hours of 4 PM and 8 PM.

Any entries remaining in the competition area after 8 PM on Sunday, September 26, 2021 will be disposed of by the event staff.

Competition Requirements

The LIVE Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show & Competition is an innovative fundraiser event that is open to competitors of any skill level. Funds raised during and after the Fashion Show will benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Competitors are limited to one entry as an Individual.

The hat must be 100% completed prior to the Fashion Show and Main Stage Presentation.

All hats must be no wider than 18 inches, and there is no height limit.

All hats must be at least 50% edible. The underlying hat structure is not required to be edible. In fact, we recommend that the internal structure (the part closest to the head) should be made of a non-edible material.

All decorations & embellishments must be edible, and the exterior of the hat structure must be completely covered.

Any sugar medium is accepted for use as decoration. Competitors will receive an appropriate, complimentary supply of Flexique to use in the construction of their hat design. See the "Flexique Support" section to learn more about requesting product.

Any technique or combination of techniques may be used in the design of your hat.

All hats must be original work for the Fashion Show, and they may not have been entered in any other online or in-person contest or competition. Photos of the entry may not have been previously posted online, including social media sites. Images of the hat may be shared online during and after the Fashion Show to help with fundraising.

Additionally, no personal or business identifying marks, advertisements, will be allowed to be displayed along with or on the entry, or in the entry description.

Voting & Winner Selection

Unlike the other competitions at The Ultimate Sugar Show, the winner of the Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show will not be decided by a panel of judges. Instead, the hat that raises the most money online or in-person will take home a $150 cash prize and the title of the Best Edible Southern Lady Hat of 2021.

Voting (aka fundraising) will begin at 2 PM on Saturday, September 25 and conclude promptly at 3 PM on Sunday, September 26. All proceeds from the Fashion Show will go to benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which starts at 4 PM on Sunday, September 26. It is not necessary for participants to be present to receive awards, although it is strongly encouraged.

Access to the Vendor Hall

All competitors are considered a very important part of The Ultimate Sugar Show. Therefore, all competitors will be provided a Special Competitor's Weekend Pass which will grant them access to the Vendor Hall on September 25 & 26, 2021. Your Weekend Pass will be made available at the Registration Desk beginning at 9 AM on September 25.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a No-Show for the Fashion Show (i.e. you fail to check-in at the Main Stage prior to 12:30 PM on September 25, 2021), you will no longer be considered an Ultimate Sugar Show Competitor. Therefore, you will forfeit your Special Competitor's Weekend Pass and will be required to purchase a 1-Day General Admin pass at the door to gain access to the Vendor Hall.

Photography & Videography

Professional videos & photographs will be taken during Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show.

This footage may be used for future marketing or promotional purposes.

During the check-in process, all competitors are required to sign a Film & Photography release form in order to compete.

Flexique Product Support

Flexique is the official product sponsor of the Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show, and they have committed to providing product to all competitors.

All competitors are required to conduct a short conference call by phone or video (Skype) with Marilyn Bawol of Flexique before any product will be shipped. The purpose of this short interview will be to discuss your design concept and to provide instruction on the proper use of the product. ​

Flexique will also be conducting product tutorials prior to the competition to help with inspirations and to showcase various techniques which could be incorporated in your design. Competitors will be connected with Flexique after registering to participate in the Fashion Show. 

~ Flexique's Official Website ~