GREY GOOSE®, the “World’s Best Tasting Vodka,” joined forces with renowned couture milliner, Ellen Christine, to create a one-of-a-kind hat to be worn exclusively at the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 1st at Churchill Downs.
Actress and model Rebecca Romijn lent support by donning the custom-designed hat at the prestigious race.
Best known for her roles as Mystique in the X-men movies and Alexis Meade in Ugly Betty, California native Rebecca Romijn, along with designer Ellen Christine, will autograph the exclusive hat and auction it on the Clothes Off Our Back website (www.clothesoffourback.org) from May 1st through May 20th. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit The Barnstable-Brown Foundation to support diabetes research.
Beginning May 2nd, a collection of hats inspired by the original will also be available for retail at Ellen Christine Millinery for $465. 25% of the proceeds will support The Barnstable-Brown Foundation. The store is located at 255 West 18th Street in New York City. (212) 242-2457.
“The Kentucky Derby is considered the most prestigious horse race in the world and therefore a very important event for GREY GOOSE Vodka,” commented Shane M. Graber, vice president and brand managing director, GREY GOOSE Vodka. “We are proud to have Ms. Romijn–a woman with such presence, style, and elegance—working with the GREY GOOSE brand on such an exciting charitable endeavor.”
“I’m honored to wear the one-of-a-kind GREY GOOSE designer hat to the Kentucky Derby this season. Being able to support such an important cause and enjoy a fantastic day at the races is truly exciting,” remarked Romijn.
Critically acclaimed designer, Ellen Christine, is excited to bring her brilliant designs and inspiration to the creation of the GREY GOOSE hat for a good cause.
“We are designing a sophisticated picture hat for Rebecca that will complement her exquisite bone structure. The hat, made with horsehair and organic fibers in shades of white with hints of blue, will perfectly showcase the GREY GOOSE aesthetic,” said Ellen Christine.
In addition to the auction of the designer hat, Breeders’ Cup guests (21+) can enjoy the Run for the Roses cocktail which is the official GREY GOOSE Vodka cocktail served at the Kentucky Derby for the sixth year running. GREY GOOSE Run for the Roses is a refreshing alternative to the Mint Julep as well as a tasty libation to serve guests at any Kentucky Derby celebration.
GREY GOOSE® Run for the Roses
Makes two drinks
3 parts GREY GOOSE® L’Orange flavored vodka
2 parts peach brandy
2 parts Southern sweet iced tea
2 parts fresh lime juice
2 rose petals for garnish
CHAMBORD Liqueur for floating
Serving: 2
Add first four ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the outside of shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Strain into two rocks glasses filled with crushed ice; pour CHAMBORD so that it floats on the top of the drink. Garnish drink with rose petals.
Southern Sweet Iced Tea Recipe
Use five tea bags for one quart of boiling water. Steep for ten minutes and add one cup of sugar while tea bags are steeping. Stir to dissolve. Place in refrigerator to cool.
About GREY GOOSE® Vodka
Blended and bottled in the celebrated Cognac region of Western France, GREY GOOSE Vodka is truly a unique offering. Every element that goes into its production ensures that GREY GOOSE Vodka stands alone as the “World’s Best Tasting Vodka.” The 80 proof super-premium spirit is packaged in beautiful frosted glass bottles, with a clear window in the shape of a Grey Goose silhouette that allows a peek at the flight of the Grey Goose across the majestic Massif Central Mountains. Each bottle is sealed with a cork stopper and an elegant foil closure. The GREY GOOSE portfolio is comprised of GREY GOOSE Vodka, GREY GOOSE La Poire, GREY GOOSE L’Orange and GREY GOOSE Le Citron flavored vodkas.
About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the import, sales and marketing arm of one of the world’s leading wine and spirits producers. Bacardi U.S.A. boasts a brand portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits in the United States including: BACARDI® rum, the world’s favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world’s most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the top-selling premium tequila worldwide; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.
About Ellen Christine
With over 30 years’ experience designing and fabricating authentic à la main millinery for both the theatre and the couture fashion crowd, Ellen Christine claims the undisputed crown for authentic époque and high fashion millinery. A doctoral candidate in costume history at New York University, Ellen reigns at her Chelsea boutique, described by New York Magazine as evoking ‘Zelda Fitzgerald’s closet’. She produces each one-of-a-kind hat to her exacting specifications, down to the opulent and historically accurate pattern making, stitching and materials. Catering to collectors, designers, and stylists alike, Ellen Christine’s mouth-watering styles available exclusively at her boutique, fuse history, fashion and high drama.
About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships; Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships consisting of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses, which makes it the richest event in sports. At last year’s Breeders’ Cup, more than $100 million in winning wagers were returned to fans at betting locations around the globe. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. Breeders’ Cup has offices in Lexington, Ky., and in New York City. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You may follow the Breeders’ Cup on Twitter at //twitter.com/BreedersCup
About The Barnstable-Brown Foundation
The Barnstable Brown Gala, the Kentucky Derby's premiere celebrity derby event, is thrown on Derby Eve by Patricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla Barnstable, former Doublemint Twins. For over twenty-years, the biggest names in music, movies, and sports have attended the Gala, held at Patricia's Louisville, KY mansion. The party has been featured in People Magazine, Us Weekly, and the Wall Street Journal, as well as on Entertainment Tonight, The Tonight Show, and The Girls Next Door, and was named one of the ten best parties in the world by Condé Nast Gold Traveler. In addition, the Gala, which benefits diabetes research at the Barnstable Brown Center for Diabetes and Obesity Research at the University of Kentucky, has raised over $10 million dollars for charity.
The GREY GOOSE portfolio is comprised of GREY GOOSE Vodka, GREY GOOSE La Poire, GREY GOOSE L’Orange, and GREY GOOSE Le Citron flavored vodkas.
