I wonder if retailers are seeing this slow down because they aren't changing their lines and price points enough to accommodate the growing number of men and women who like wearing sophisticated hats. One thing that helped me is that I make hats that are comfortable so people don't know they are wearing a hat. Like any great fitting garment, hats have to be comfortable so people to want to wear them, and to continue wearing them. It should feel natural like the hat is apart of them.

Retailer sees Sunny Days Ahead for Hat Business….that is with new styles that are comfortable: Christine A. Moore Millinery owner, Christine Moore reports that hat sales appear to be getting better. She just finished up the August market and she saw a growth in her middle to higher priced collections. “People were not asking for the least expensive hats, and some even passed on them when I presented them. I think storeowners are becoming more careful and discerning about the hats they buy. For a long time "cheap" has driven the hat market, but I see a change since May. I even heard from retailers that some high-end hat companies, who have been leaders in the hat business ( but do not change their designs very often), are finding their retail sales are falling. I wonder if retailers are seeing this slow down because they aren't changing their lines and price points enough to accommodate the growing number of men and women who like wearing sophisticated hats. Sophisticated, whether it is a cut and sew fabric, a fedora or a fancy hat. One thing that helped me is that I make hats that are comfortable so people don't know they are wearing a hat… like any great fitting garment. Hats have to be comfortable for people to want to wear them, and to continue wearing them. It should feel natural like the hat is apart of them.

I couldn’t agree more. Comfort is key for both shoes and HATS. I am an avid hat wearer, as many of you know, and I have found too many hats are heavy, bulky and just plain uncomfortable. If you look at the shoe market you will see the preponderance of sneaker type shoes on everyone, men, women and children. As a matter of fact, if you glance around you on a Sunday you will see everyone, from age 8 to 80 wearing comfortable shoes, well HAT INDUSTRY what are you waiting for? Comfort is Key here!

To contact Christine: www.camhats.com

FASHION GREATS MIGRATE TO QVC:
According to the New York Post high end designers are gravitating to the allure of selling their wares via home shopping channels such as QVC. According to an article, “QVC’S CHI-CHI TV,” QVC is trying to change their fashion image from housefrau fashion to upscale designers such as Stella McCartney. “Alice Roi and John Bartlett are among a growing list of designers who have recently begun selling their clothes, often at gentler prices on QVC, joining a group of other high-end labels that would have once shunned the network, known more for peddling costume jewelry and crab cakes than for cachet. In its effort to woo designers, QVC has sought the help of fashion insider Linda Beauchamp, who worked for Saks Fifth Avenue and Donna Karan. She was recruited to approach an undisclosed list of prestigious brands on behalf of the network. "We had a lot of doors slammed in our face," said Doug Rose, QVC's vice president of merchandising brand development.

“High-end brands, even those with snob appeal, are having a hard time ignoring the potential windfall that a QVC broadcast can mean. Dooney & Bourke, for instance, was hesitant about selling its pricey handbags on QVC, but is now a regular on the network, after it sold 2,500 bags in 20 minutes in 1999. Marc Bouwer, whose red-carpet gowns have graced Hollywood stars from Angelina Jolie to Sarah Jessica Parker, sold an entire collection - 20,000 items - in 37 minutes on QVC in April.

QVC is now the third-largest TV network by revenue, behind NBC and CBS. With $5.7 billion in annual revenue, it sells more merchandise each year than Bloomingdale's, L.L. Bean and The Sharper Image combined."

It seems designers have learned that cache and cash are not always in synch when it comes to selling products. That may be the reason many high-end designers are coming out with moderate priced lines to sell on TV and in stores. According to the article QVC’s demographics include women with household incomes over $75,000, with the show reaching 1 million viewers an hour.

These are numbers not to be sneezed at, hence the reason that designers are changing their selling demographics. Some of you may remember what happened in the 80’s when Halston sold his wares to JC Penny and was shunned by the retail fashion community. Well, things have changed (case in point - Isaac Mizrahi courting Target). So what is next, perhaps Calvin or Ralph selling at the Mini Mart or at The Red Lobster?

NASCAR.COM sees an increase in SALES for Women’s
When the NASCAR.Com catalogue first started three years ago women’s fashion items were a small part of the package, but it seems women are jumping on the fast- paced NASCAR bandwagon, according to an article in DM News.com. Originally the only items for women were a few tank tops and pullovers, but…. “after two consecutive years of 25 percent sales growth in women's apparel, the catalog's offerings have grown to include sleepwear, shoulder bags, jewelry, headwear, hoodies, fitted twill uniform jackets, V-necks and a variety of tops. Prices range from $11.97 for boxer shorts to $111.99 for a pair of earrings. In addition, the fall catalog, scheduled to arrive in homes Sept. 15, will test girl’s pink T-shirts, shorts and other apparel from infant to 4T sizes.

Turner Sports Inc., Atlanta, which owns NASCAR.com, uses the catalog to showcase the best-selling items available online. The Web site carries licensed merchandise from 135 vendors representing 60 drivers, while the catalog features only 20 vendors and 25 drivers. To make room for women's apparel in the 24-page, quarterly catalog, the space dedicated to the category increased from 10 percent last year to 20 percent this year. The book also got a bump in circulation. Last year, 250,000 copies were circulated while this year the total will be closer to 2.2 million. Next year, circulation is expected to rise another 20 percent. Sales for the women's apparel and home décor categories will grow 20 percent in 2006.

The catalogs get mailed to NASCAR.com's house list, half of whom are women. In contrast, women make up only 40 percent of NASCAR's fan base. Check out: www.dmnews.com/newsletters.

THIS SEEMS LIKE A GOOD PLACE FOR A HEADWEAR MAKER TO STEP IN AND LICENSE NASCAR HATS FOR WOMEN.