HAT LIFE: WHAT'S UP WITH HEADWEAR?

A lot. Magazines and newspapers are spending more time and putting more energy into their coverage of hats. Let’s face it; the Red Hat Ladies have done more for headwear than Samuel L. Jackson. There are also wonderful promotional ideas floating around the universe. One Minnesota man collected over 70,000 hats and other groups are using headwear-decorating contests to give away prizes and garner publicity. Now is the time for headwear retailers and manufacturers to go forward with creative ideas to generate publicity. The media is eventually going to get bored with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, and I don’t have to tell you that “Desperate Housewives” is taking their summer break.

That means the media will be looking for something to write about. If a run-a-way bride can get her own press conference, then why not create something newsworthy in the hat industry? Start hat clubs, offer money or prizes for the most creative hats or just team up with a large consumer products company and design a limited edition of funky hats to commemorate an occasion, or the passing away of someone great (this can be local). For media sources check out the TRADING POST SECTION BELOW.

We hope to hear from you. Please email us at Diane@hatlife.com or call 561-208-1168 or 877-HATLIFE

WANT TO JOIN THE HEADWEAR ASSOCATION? Some of you have expressed a desire to attend next years’ Headwear Association dinner at Tavern on the Green in NYC. more++

SET SAIL: It’s time to pull out those nautical appliquéd anchors and put them on crushers and cloches. We feel that classical nautical motifs and navy and white marine headwear is going to have a rebirth in popularity. more++

TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES: The American Intercontinental University School of Design in Plantation Florida is looking for full-time teachers in fashion, marketing and interior design. Teachers must have a master’s degree in the subject being taught. more++

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE EXECUTIVES GET FIRED FOR TAKING VENDOR MARKDOWN MONEY:
An internal audit committee found wrongdoing in how some Saks Fifth Avenue executives were collecting "markdown money" from vendors. more++