Woodford Reserve tells BourbonBlog.com that renowned milliner Gigi Burris is partnering with Woodford Reserve to debut a luxurious, artisanal collection of hats that honors the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, America’s longest sporting tradition.

“The Gigi Burris for Woodford Reserve Collection”  blends meticulous craftsmanship with a refined, nuanced palette anchored on a shared devotion to expertise, heritage, and legacy.

“Dressing for The Kentucky Derby begins with the hat,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said. “We are honored to partner with Gigi to unveil this refined collection for both men and women.”

The collection includes three styles of hat for women, a men’s fedora and a bespoke unisex rose lapel pin. Customers can explore the collection and shop the limited collection at the Gigi Burris Millinery store in New York or online at Gigi Burris Millinery.

With craftsmanship at the core, the collection is a celebration of both brands’ commitment to artistry, heritage, and tradition. The collection’s colors—molasses, white, mahogany, caramel, and toffee—pay homage to the warm, rich tones of Woodford Reserve.

The collaboration’s focus on texture and materiality, along with the integration of vintage and custom materials, creates hats that speak of rarity and timeless artistry.

“The Kentucky Derby and headwear have a richly intertwined history, with decades of American style moments defined by hats,” said Burris, whose studio is in New York City. “This collaboration with Woodford Reserve reflects that same sense of tradition, craftsmanship, and style.”

The Collection

FOREMAN Men’s Fedora
Hand-blocked from molasses metallic flecked straw braid, this men’s fedora offers texture and structure. Finished with a cotton grosgrain ribbon, a hand-stitched slim leather band, and a pheasant feather embellishment for a subtle natural accent. Lightweight yet structured, it’s designed for effortless wear.

BELLEMERE
Women’s Hat
Handcrafted from custom-made Starbright straw braid in white and toffee, this hat features a domed crown for a smooth, structured finish. The lightweight caramel woven sinamay straw brim is sculpted for drama and elegance. A slim mahogany-colored cotton grosgrain band adds a refined contrast, highlighting the hat’s rich textural and tonal detailing.

FILLY
Women’s Cocktail Hat
Sewn from wide toffee-hued hemp straw braid, this angular cocktail hat balances structure with fluidity. A draped hemp loop embellishment anchors gathered vintage toffee veiling, accented with hand-placed chenille dots for added dimension. The interplay of movement and texture gives this piece a refined yet festive appeal.

SOMERSET
Women’s Hat
A slim sculptural crown, hand-blocked from white sinamay, is paired with a downward-sloping brim, encircled by cotton grosgrain piping for a refined finish. The silhouette is accented with tonal fine veiling draped at the crown and delicate sinamay straw flora with vintage stamen, adding an additional textural detail.

ROSETTE
Unisex Lapel Pin
A unisex lapel pin crafted from hand-molded metallic copper lambskin sculpted into a rose motif, reflecting the refined craftsmanship of a freshly polished copper still. Set on a rhodium lapel pin, this piece merges industrial shine with organic form, a subtle nod to the celebrated flower of the Kentucky Derby.

About Gigi Burris

Gigi Burris is a New York-based designer and milliner celebrated for her meticulous craftsmanship and timeless approach to hat-making. She is the founder of Closely Crafted, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving artisan skills in the U.S. fashion industry, and her work has earned accolades such as Forbes 30 Under 30 and recognition as a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist.

Gigi Burris is a Parsons School of Design graduate who trained under master artisans before launching her namesake brand. She is a CFDA Accessories Award nominee, and her designs have been worn by cultural icons like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Bella Hadid, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Madonna. With Closely Crafted, she champions the importance of education, mentorship, and artisan preservation.