“Everyone needs a hat” Salon & Boutique Owner in Orchard Park sells Kentucky Derby Hats

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Stitch by stitch, Laurie Judith Krantz has shared her creative mind with every hat she’s made throughout the past three decades.

She’ll add treasures she’s collected throughout the years including vintage beading and lace, French silks, feathers and flowers that are stored throughout the drawers of her studio, and she’ll make a hat one of a kind.

“Every single thing is pinned on and sewn on by hand and that’s what takes a while,” said Krantz. “The whole decorating part takes the longest. I think that it’s just in my blood, making and creating things.”

Sometimes, her creations start from scratch and sometimes, she’ll see a hat and the wheels start turning.

“I don’t know, I just look at them and think, ‘what would really make that hat stand out?’, kind of like a crown on a woman’s head and I want my hats to be something that no one else has,” said Krantz.

Her own designed hats and flower creations are on display, alongside hats from her favorite designers, at her shop, Judith Krantz Salon & Boutique, located at 4242 North Buffalo Street in the heart of Orchard Park. From big brims to fascinating fascinators, she’s selling some of her hats that she didn’t make for a discounted price, leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

“For the Kentucky Derby, you really need a hat or a fascinator and they’re beautiful,” said Krantz. “I wish people wore hats all the time, just like how they did in the forties.”

She’s helping others add the finishing touch to their derby outfits but also to make more shelf space in her shop to showcase her own designs.

“That’s all I want to hear is, ‘where did you get that hat?'” said Krantz.

For more information on her salon and boutique, visit her Facebook Page here.

Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here .