RIDLEY TOWNSHIP — For the third time in his life, longtime costume designer James May has come out of retirement. And this time it’s to create a patriotic new designer hat celebrating America’s 250th anniversary while raising money for local charities.
May, 84, who officially retired over 10 years ago, is debuting his newest creation this week.
Named the Liberty Beret, the stylish, unique one-of-a-kind hat is a handcrafted red, white and blue beret inspired by both the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial celebration and Philadelphia’s rich Mummers tradition.
The patriotic Liberty Beret, uniquely designed and handcrafted by James May Costume Co. in Ridley Township, is available to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. All money from the purchase goes directly to local charities. (PEG DEGRASSA/ DAILY TIMES)
The white beret, made out of durable cotton fabric, is embellished with red, blue and gold sequins, a gold sequin band and topped with bright red feathers spotlighting a large emblem that reads “250 Anniversary 1776-2026” under a bald eagle.
Inside each original handcrafted hat is a label reading “Created by James May,” and personally signed by the longtime award-winning designer.
But beyond the eye-catching design, May, whose James May Costume Co. is located at 450 MacDade Blvd. in Folsom, said the most important part of the project is its mission: Every single penny raised goes directly to charity.
“One hundred percent of all proceeds goes directly to a Philadelphia-based charity of the person’s choice, either Chapel of Four Chaplains or Mummers Against Cancer,” said May, who previously left retirement to raise money for charities through his tailor talents. “I want to emphasize that Mr. May does not take one penny.”
The project is actually costing May. He estimated this week that he has already personally invested thousands of dollars into the project for fabric, sequins, feathers and supplies.
“Everything’s expensive now,” he stated. “But I enjoy doing it. I need something to do in retirement. God gave me this gift and I feel like I need to continue sharing it.”
Local designer Jim May, owner and founder of James May Costume Co., is hard at work in his Folsom tailor shop, sewing on red, blue, and gold sequins to embellish his uniquely crafted America250 Liberty Beret. (PEG DEGRASSA/ DAILY TIMES)
Buyers may choose where their $100 hat purchase price goes, either to Mummers Against Cancer, which provides financial assistance to Mummers dealing with cancer diagnoses and treatment expenses, or Chapel of Four Chaplains, which assists homeless and needy veterans with food, clothing, shelter, memorial services and chapel use, as well as supports all veterans with outreach, emotional and spiritual support, and more.
Those who purchase a hat will write their checks for the full amount directly to their selected charity.
Donors will receive a written acknowledgment for their contribution directly from whichever of the nonprofits they chose.
May said he was motivated to launch the project after witnessing friends and fellow Mummers struggle with cancer and financial hardships over the years. May has created more Mummers costumes, and dressed more string bands and fancy brigades, than any other designer/tailor in Mummers history.
“Being involved with the Mummers for over 60 or 70 years, I’ve seen a lot of people suffering who needed help,” he said. “It is my honor to help in any way that I can.”
The project also holds personal meaning for May, whose family members served in the military, including brothers John, who served in the South Pacific, and Dominic, who served in Korea, and his late father-in-law, Herbert Wright Jr., a World War II Navy chief electrician.
“I want to raise money in support of our fellows who served and gave us the freedoms we all enjoy in our country today,” May said of his inspiration for creating the hats. “This is just a small way to show my appreciation and lend support and pay tribute to all veterans, as well as our active servicemen and women.”
Known throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond for decades of elaborate costume work, May, of Rose Valley, has spent a lifetime creating outfits, not just thousands of costumes for Mummers, but also thousands of wedding gowns, bridal parties, showbiz and theater costumes and custom garments for countless clients throughout the area.
The well-known costume designer and talented tailor gained renewed widespread attention during the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl era in 2018.
The now-famous Mummers hat that became a local sensation after NFL player Jason Kelce wore it on the celebratory parade route and during his victory speech on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, became a hat that a multitude of fans wanted.
May came out of retirement to begin making hand-crafted copies of his original hat for fans, raising thousands of dollars for local charities.
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce speaks at the conclusion of the Super Bowl victory parade in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, on Feb. 8, 2019. Kelce’s Mummers hat was designed and made by James May. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The first time he came out of retirement was to make masks for the COVID pandemic.
Betty Lou and Jim May in February 2023 with a ceremonial check for $20,000, which they later presented to the Mummers Against Cancer organization. The Mays raised the money in just two weeks, through the sale of replicas of May’s iconic Mummers hat worn by Jason Kelce in the 2019 Super Bowl Victory Parade. (COURTESY PHOTO)
This time, however, the Delaware County tailor wanted the design to stand on its own. May said he wanted the Liberty Beret to look entirely different while still honoring Philadelphia traditions.
“The design of the hat is to represent the 250th anniversary of the United States and pay tribute to our forefathers, as well as to the Philadelphia Mummers, who celebrated their 125th anniversary this year,” he said.
Designer James May is ready to hand sew the embellishments to adorn these Liberty Berets. May designs and handcrafts each and every beret individually, and then signs the hat, before customers pick up the pre-ordered patriotic headwear. Cost of each handmade hat is $100 and every cent of that amount goes directly to Mummers Against Cancer or the Chapel of Four Chaplains– whichever charity that the customer chooses. (PEG DEGRASSA/ DAILY TIMES)
“I wanted it to look completely different than the championship fan hat,” he said, “Yet still honor the Mummers, as well as our active and veteran military,” May explained. “I designed The Liberty Beret specifically to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, our honorable US military, and Philadelphia’s Mummers heritage. I individually sew every hat.”
“The only place you can get a Liberty Beret is from James May,” the hat designer’s wife Betty Lou added. “He doesn’t want to get anything back out of this, except to raise money for these worthwhile charities.”
Liberty Berets may be ordered through James May Costume Company by calling 610-532-3430. Buyers will be contacted when their beret is ready for pickup, typically within about a week.