Big Fuel Creates The American Quilt for Stetson:
Big Fuel, a marketing and communications agency with a focus on branded content and social media, launched a new website for The Stetson Hat Company (www.stetson.com) highlighting the brand's tradition, history and social identity.

Social networks showcase how the brand is woven into the fabric of American culture to create the Stetson "American Quilt." Visitors are asked to contribute their own stories, photos and videos to the Quilt.

"Every Stetson has a story. Generations of people have created memories to last a lifetime while wearing our hats and other products," said Pam Fields, CEO of Stetson.

"The new website allows us to engage with consumers and provide them a forum to share their stories and love of the brand." In addition to joining a lively community at www.stetson.com, site visitors have the opportunity to participate in contests and members-only promotions, including the chance to win a $500 Stetson wardrobe.

"Our strategy in designing and developing the Stetson website was to build on the fact that Stetson is, and always has been, a big part of American culture. Their products naturally exist in social media through the lives of every day Americans. They truly are 'Made of America' and what better way to showcase that than through consumer generated media," said Avi Savar, CEO of Big Fuel.

"Social media is a channel built on human stories - moments that are captured in photos, videos or conversations. In this case we are pulling from those human stories to tell a compelling product story," added Holly Pavlika, Executive Creative Director of Big Fuel.

Billabong to Acquire Swell
Billabong International has a conditional agreement to acquire San Clemente, Calif.–based online boardsports catalog and online retailer Swell.com.

Swell, which debuted in 1999, sells a wide variety of surf and skate apparel and hardgoods brands for men and women, including Billabong, Volcom, O’Neill, Hurley, Rusty, Quiksilver, Insight, RVCA, Roxy and Swell, its private label brand.

Hats with heart cater to those going through cancer treatement:
Kay Gravette started Hats With Heart 16 years ago as a result of her own need for comfortable and stylish hats. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she designed headwear that she could wear to work and continue to feel confident and professional.

When other women started asking where they could find the hats, Kay realized the need for a company that she could build off of her own experience. The company,that started in a basement, saw significant growth before Kay’s passing in 1998.

Today Hats With Heart continues to meet the needs of women enduring the stages of cancer treatment and hair loss. Most products are hand- sewn locally by cottage sewers who place their heart in each and every product.

They make one hat at a time instead of using mass-production techniques, reflecting their commitment to meeting the unique needs of each customer.

They have sleep caps, turbans, swim turbans, accessory pins, turban ties, headbands, beanies, toppers, sun hats, visor style scarves, pre-tied scarves, bandanas, billed hats, rimmed hats and more.

“Our utmost priority is to provide OPTIMISM and SUPPORT by developing new and fresh products each season. We are about ACTION by making it possible to maintain the inner sense of self. We maintain a HOPE that if Hats With Heart ever goes out of business, it would be because a CURE was found and the rigors of chemo were no longer and issue.”

For information: www.hatswithheart.com or 801-567-0066 (1-800-708-0066).

David Dunkley was commissioned to create for the Ontario Craft Council's exhibition Body + Object from January 5 – 31st at the Ontario Craft Council Gallery:
The 2010 Bridal Collection and Ontario Craft Council Gallery Show will have the Body + Object, an exhibition featuring the work of eighteen artists who explore the relationship between the body and the forms in which it can ornament, present and represent itself.

Body + Object includes the work of Amanda McCavour & Silke Stadtmuller, Andrea Graham, Annie Thompson, Bebhinn Jennings, Dandi Maestre, David Dunkley, Gillian Batcher, Jessica Beauchemin, Karina Bergmans, Laura Donefer, Lois Schklar, Marina Dempster, Norah Deacon, Adrian Parks & Yvonne Ng, Tanya Lyons and Tara Bursey.

David Dunkley (Hatty Winner) will be at the Opening Reception on Wednesday, January 20, 5:30 - 8:30 pm - www.KCsHats.com. The Carlu, 444 Yonge Street, 7th floor.

New York Hatter Worth & Worth is expanding:
Worth & Worth is introducing exclusive new colors to its collection of hats (naval grey, champagne and many more). They are also renovating their showroom to showcase their exciting new lines.

Worth & Worth will also be introducing a new clothing line, that will blend the classic, quintessential Worth & Worth style with modern elements of flawless elegance.

They are also offering, for a limited time only, a newly designed exclusive hat bag, as a gift. The bags are limited, so please hurry!

Worth & Worth is at 45 West 57th Street, 6th floor, NY.

Lina Stein Millinery Workshops Begin this month:

January 15th-16th - WORKING WITH SINAMAY

January 20th - An Introduction to Millinery
FEATHERED CREATIONS AND SINAMAY HEADPIECES

January 22nd -23rd - SOPHISTICATED COCKTAIL STUNNERS

January 28th - An Introduction to Millinery CRINOLINE AND COCKTAIL HATS

January 30th – 31st - FELT HAT MAKING

February 5th - SCULPURED SINAMAY HEAD PIECES

February 6th-7th - Going to the races? - Make a Stunning Straw hat

February 12th - An Introduction to Millinery
FEATHERED CREATIONS AND SINAMAY HEADPIECES

February 19th-21st - Spring Millinery Madness 3 Days of intense Millinery Magic – make 2 hats

February 26th - REMODEL YOUR OLD HATS

March 6th-7th - MASTER CLASS IN “ THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD” DUBLIN

March 11th - NEW SCULPURED SINAMAY HEAD PIECES

March 19th-20th - WORKING WITH SINAMAY AND STRAW

A SPRING MILLINERY MARATHON Saturday, March 27, 2010 – Wednesday, March 31,2010

Lina Stein Millinery - www.linasteinmillinery.com