Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats

by Michael Cunningham (Photographer), Craig Marberry

An acclaimed photographer and award-winning journalist provide an intimate look at black women who would rather attend church naked than hatless.

For countless black women, a church hat, flamboyant as it may be, is no mere fashion accessory; it's a cherished African American custom, one observed with boundless passion.

A woman's hat speaks long before its wearer utters a word. It's what Deirdre Guion calls "hattitude... there's a little more strut in your carriage when you wear a nice hat. There's something special about you." If a hat says a lot about a person, it says even more about a people—the customs they observe, the symbols they prize, and the fashions they fancy.

Photographer Michael Cunningham beautifully captures the self-expressions of women of all ages—from young glamorous women to serene but stylish grandmothers. Award-winning journalist Craig Marberry provides an intimate look at the women and their lives. Together they've captured a captivating custom, this wearing of church hats, a peculiar convergence of faith and fashion that keeps the Sabbath both holy and glamorous.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Religion, Art, Fashion, Race, Art and Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 2000

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Toocutedobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this in my local public library with a bookplate as a donated book. The cover is quite eye catching but that is only a teaser. The book first shows a photo of the lady and her hat--an important hat to be sure. Then the next two pages are the story the lady chose to tell about her hat. These hat stories always include bits of wisdom and lovely memories of family and friends. This was a joy to read and to view these ladies and those all important hats. I believe any woman reading this book will understand so much about being a woman, life, loves, strengths, and sometimes the heartbreaks that make us who we are. My favorite hat was the one worn by Deidre Guion who stated her hat was "reminiscent of the Mae West era" and " "a whole lot of hat". There is no denying either of those two statements about the hat she wore to her grandmother's funeral. There is also a story about a request to a funeral director to have the deceased wear her hat in the casket--the funeral director is a hat wearing lady and understands that somehow,someway she will make this work. These are special stories of special women and I am sure you will love this book as I did.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter gifted me this book about ten years ago. I love to sit and turn the pages of these glorious women and their crowns. Since then, I have collected my own collection of beautiful crowns.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant read, but the information about the women was so short. I was left wanting more. Also I feel like some of the photos, at least, should have been in color.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We just know inside that we're queens. And these are the crowns we wear."

This book was a real pleasure, both the photos and the brief recollections of the women in them. These women can WEAR them hats!

It's a broad group of photo subjects, ranging from 22 to at least 78 in age, professions ranging from teachers, to Urban League presidents, to secretaries, to state representatives. Each has a story about why they wear hats and why they chose that one for the photo shoot. Some are hilarious, others touching. Getting a glimpse into COGIC culture through the three subjects deliberately chosen for that purpose is an extra treat.

Each subject is eye-catching and mind-catching. I may just get my wife a hat.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this book for my wife from an African-American Episcopal priest that I work with. I watched her reading it and with occasional laughter but always a smile and decided I need to take a look too! Great book with some great hats, "not the kind you'll find on a skinny old white woman."

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book when it was first published. I had to have it, it reminded me of my grandmomma and momma as the went to Church on Sunday mornings in their Sunday best. Their Crowns were on display. Three Sundays a month they wore their Crowns the one Sunday they didn’t they sang in the choir and they weren’t allowed. Black Women displayed this sometimes magnificent creations and not so magnificent crowns. The creator of this book captured the feelings of these ladies in this very wonderful book. Still today I love to look at the creations that are being worn.





#cillasbookmaniacs

[Krystie Herndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up with the wonderful Ebony Magazine photography of the 1960s and '70s, I am a huge fan of the compelling artistry of strong Black women photographed in black and white. And dressed up and bearing themselves like queens? They remind me of my beloved Grandma Ann Smiley Bryant, and her mother, my Great-Grandmuddy, the indomitable Georgia Ellen English Smiley. And I am happy and proud to fall in line.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful black and white portraits accompanied by part of the woman’s hat story. So good.

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just absolutely delightful.

[refgoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking at books with low circulation, and this one jumped out at me. My aunt met her best friend through mutual hat admiration, and, while I'm not a hat wearer, I love them on other people. This book fell open at the perfect quote: "Before we left for the party, my mother said we looked adorable. I said, 'Adorable ain't what we're shooting for.'"

Each black and white portrait is accompanied with an individual story about hats and life experience. This book is fascinating and beautiful and gutsy: just like the women in the luscious black and white photographs.

[SarahC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The subject has fascinated me for a long time and this unique book provides a personal insight from African American women on the importance of hats -- an instance where fashion has much much inner meaning in addition to the outside beauty. I think also that hats throughout time, in many cultures, have been an element of women's lives that marked their own choice, personal style, and a true statement when women had few statements to call theirs.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We just know inside we're queens. And these are the crowns we wear." Felecia McMillan - Journalist

Michael Cunningham's stunning black & white photographs and Craig Marberry's gift and ability to find the voices & stories of the women in the photos combine to give a beautiful view of black American women.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These photos document an era that is passing, that of the elaborate hats that African-American women wear to church. I found the hats to be amazing. The ladies' expressions tell you a lot about themselves as well.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crowns! Portraits of Black Women and their Church Hats; Young and Mature Queens show off their headress in this book. This book showcases beautiful pictures along with short biographies of the hat wearers and also goes briefly into the history behind the significance of hats in the black community.

[CD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant visualization of a religious social phenomena. Humorous and serious while being very respectful and insightful.

I may kick this one up to a 5-star rating after I've let it sit and soak in for a few months.

[Xandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, though not necessarily a book in the traditional sense, gives a great insight into the lives of African American women. The many women shown in the photographs are all different and each with their own lesson to teach us. This is a good coffee table book just to flip through.

[Reuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essays with accompanying photographs of Black women and their church hats. Set in the U.S. 1950s mostly.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful topic. Wonderful photos.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love hats, loved this book!

[Evelyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book documenting a beautiful people. A most enjoyable book. The expressions on the faces of the women and the hats they wear....... perfect!

[Linda L. Fenoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent hours going over each of the short essays that accompanied the wonderful photos of women in their special and unique hats. I could read it a third time.

[Dominiquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photos are gorgeous, and their stories are moving! This is as powerful as I Dream A World.

[Barb Kissner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book full of lovely photographs and a brief story told by each woman. Unique blend of history, hats, and generations of women who have a strong link to their heritage through their hats.

[Mary Havens · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT! Funny, insightful, beautiful and makes me want to go buy a hat. :)

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in preparation of working on the musical Crowns, as this is the source musical. Lovely photos and fun/fascinating stories. Easy read.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little glum to read about all these beautiful hats and to see them only in black and white! :(

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic hats. Beautiful stories. Powerful women, full of grace, glamour, courage, and love. I am so grateful this book exists.

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book with many stories from black women on their upbringings, strength, spirit, and heart. I appreciate the ages interviewed were varied and showcased a beautiful variety of women. Very thought provoking picture series that invites the reader to consider their own items they have to tend to in order to stay sane and hopefully items one can pass down.

[Marilyn Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

[Sharon Johnson]

Interesting short summaries of mostly southern black church women and their affinity for wearing hats. Beautiful black and white photography and quotes from the women.