HATTERS JOIN FORCES WITH POPULAR BRANDS

Big name hatters are now joining forces with retailers to create a new design niche. Hatter Eugenia Kim (who has a cult-like fashion magazine following) is now designing hats for the ubiquitous label, Coach.

According to fashion lore, “Celebu-fans who have been spotted in Ms. Kim's vintage- inspired headgear include Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz.”

This reaching out to novelty name designers could be the result of consumer boredom combined with a difficult retail climate. There have been reports that Coach’s star has been fading a bit of late. That doesn’t mean that this retailer with the designer color code and chic standing is falling down the aisles of mediocrity. It just means that food, oil and insurance have taken precedence over the need for a $200 wallet. (The proof is that their off-price stores are doing a brisker business than their full-price city locations).

To combat a case of the blahs it seems that Coach is teaming up with pros like Kim to keep their retail torch burning bright. Kim’s new collection, an exclusive collaboration between Ms. Kim and Coach creative director Reed Krakoff, is similar to their partnership with knitwear company Lutz & Patmos.

Rumor has it that their next exclusive arrangement is with Phillip Lim and will feature trench coats co-designed by Krakoff.

The Kim cap for Coach (called the Julia) is a great pastel and white tattersall printed newsboy with off-center brass burn-lock on top of the hat (offbeat placement makes it chic and wayward). This cotton cap has the Coach signature lining and comes in two sizes. To see a photo of this is $148 hat check out: http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=10998&category_id=200

Master Hatter Louise Green is lending her name and design expertise to hat company Cassel Goorin. We just noticed her animal printed velour felt fedora and cloche with grosgrain ribbon trim in the new Cassel Goorin fall-winter 2008 catalogue.

Green has a masterful eye and a wonderful sense of history that translates into period-piece headwear that works for the present. Her label has been around for a long time and continues to charm hat wearers who want a designer hat without the exorbitant price-tag. Of the four Louse Green hats in the Cassel Goorin catalogue our favorite is the “Belladonna.”

According to Green, “We are going into our second season collaborating with Cassel Goorin on hand-blocked Made in America hats. I have designed some men's and women's hats for them under the Louise Green for Cassel Goorin label. They are selling very well.

When asked about the arrangement with Goorin, Louise Green had this to say: “Goorin is a progressive, aggressive company and we are very happy to be working with them. They have a team of really wonderful talented designers and their hats have a cool modern vibe.”

Not only are the Louise Green hats popular with mere mortals, but last week Edie of “Desperate Housewives” wore a red Louise Green hat designed for especially for her. “We are having a great season with both the Louise Green and Mr. Green lines,” said Louise.