Sonya's SpotLight Celebrity News Reviews and Interviews

GRACE MARK – Hat Designer

Grace Mark of Grace’s Hats, Ltd started with humble beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria.
Her mother was a seamstress and as she sewed, Grace would mimic her by taking the scraps and sewing hats that matched the clothes her mother made. She didn’t think too much of these hats until her sister convinced her that she had a real talent.

Grace graduated with a degree in Corporate Economics and in 1980 opened the first known hat shop in Lagos. Her shop has become a household name in Lagos and is known for its creativity and the brilliance of designing only one-of-a-kind hats.

Approximately eight years ago, while she was in London participating in a fashion show, her hat factory burned down to the ground due to an electrical malfunction. Since God is ever-present in her life, she dug deep down in her soul, prayed, and consulted with her pastor. After much blood, sweat, and tears, her factory re-opened as if it never missed a beat.

Grace really believes in the power of women and that “women can do anything!” Because of this belief, she hires mostly women to work in her showroom and factory. She also hires and trains young girls to assist in her home with cooking, cleaning, sewing, and childcare for her three children. Not only does this training prepare the girls for life with useful skills, it also helps them to provide for their families by giving them a salary. Grace has nineteen people on her staff, most of who look up to her as a mother figure and role model.

Grace’s love of the people and her passion for life extends to her community. On weekends, Grace goes to the countryside to take food and clothing to the suffering and less fortunate. Even with her busy schedule of wife, mother, designer, and businesswoman, she still finds time to teach skills at local orphanages, contribute money so that women can start new businesses, and support a tuition fund for orphans. Through her church, she organized food drives, worship services, medicine delivery, and helps to find temporary shelter for those in need.

Grace’s commitment to professional excellence is evidenced as she perfects her hat-designing craft every day, travels the globe to acquire the best fabric, feathers, and accessories, and by hiring others to promote her outstanding creations so that her mind is free and clear to create.

Grace participates in annual hat shows in Atlanta, New York and South Carolina. In Miami, February 2001, Grace’s hats were chosen as the best product designs out of 250 products from various participating countries. Later in 2001, exhibits were held in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Bahamas. Shows were held in various locations in the United States and London in 2002. One of Grace’s designs won “Best Hat” at the 2005 Kentucky Derby. In 2006 and 2007 Grace’s hats made headlines when worn at the Atlanta Steeplechase and the Kentucky Derby.

Vernell Washington, of GrandDiva Enterprises, Inc., is the global representative for Grace’s Hats. She has traveled to many countries marketing Grace Mark as one of the best milliners in the world.

To purchase a one-of -a -kind chapeaux, contact Vernell Washington at vernell@granddivaenterprises.com or call 678-521-7697.


GRACE MARK – Hat Designer Grace Mark of Grace’s Hats, Ltd started with humble beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria. Her mother was a seamstress and as she sewed, Grace would mimic her by taking the scraps and sewing hats that matched the clothes her mother made. She didn’t think too much of these hats until her sister convinced her that she had a real talent. Grace graduated with a degree in Corporate Economics and in 1980 opened the first known hat shop in Lagos. Her shop has become a household name in Lagos and is known for its creativity and the brilliance of designing only one-of-a-kind hats. Approximately eight years ago, while she was in London participating in a fashion show, her hat factory burned down to the ground due to an electrical malfunction. Since God is ever-present in her life, she dug deep down in her soul, prayed, and consulted with her pastor. After much blood, sweat, and tears, her factory re-opened as if it never missed a beat. Grace really believes in the power of women and that “women can do anything!” Because of this belief, she hires mostly women to work in her showroom and factory. She also hires and trains young girls to assist in her home with cooking, cleaning, sewing, and childcare for her three children. Not only does this training prepare the girls for life with useful skills, it also helps them to provide for their families by giving them a salary. Grace has nineteen people on her staff, most of who look up to her as a mother figure and role model. Grace’s love of the people and her passion for life extends to her community. On weekends, Grace goes to the countryside to take food and clothing to the suffering and less fortunate. Even with her busy schedule of wife, mother, designer, and businesswoman, she still finds time to teach skills at local orphanages, contribute money so that women can start new businesses, and support a tuition fund for orphans. Through her church, she organized food drives, worship services, medicine delivery, and helps to find temporary shelter for those in need. Grace’s commitment to professional excellence is evidenced as she perfects her hat-designing craft every day, travels the globe to acquire the best fabric, feathers, and accessories, and by hiring others to promote her outstanding creations so that her mind is free and clear to create. Grace participates in annual hat shows in Atlanta, New York and South Carolina. In Miami, February 2001, Grace’s hats were chosen as the best product designs out of 250 products from various participating countries. Later in 2001, exhibits were held in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Bahamas. Shows were held in various locations in the United States and London in 2002. One of Grace’s designs won “Best Hat” at the 2005 Kentucky Derby. In 2006 and 2007 Grace’s hats made headlines when worn at the Atlanta Steeplechase and the Kentucky Derby. Vernell Washington, of GrandDiva Enterprises, Inc., is the global representative for Grace’s Hats. She has traveled to many countries marketing Grace Mark as one of the best milliners in the world. To purchase a one-of -a -kind chapeaux, contact Vernell Washington at vernell@granddivaenterprises.com or call 678-521-7697.