Vote Now for Hat Person of the Year

Voting begins today for The Headwear Association's "Hat Person of the Year."

This year's nominees are: Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Kate Hudson and Nicole Richie.

The winner will be announced on National Hat Day, January 15.

To vote: www.theheadwearassociation.org

Headwear Hall of Fame Announces New Inductees

The Headwear Association today announced the newest inductees to the Headwear Hall of Fame. The famous hat-wearing winners are:

• Aretha Franklin
• Cameron Diaz
• Carlos Santana
• Gwen Stefani
• Ne-Yo
• Payne Stewart

Winners will be formally inducted into The Headwear Hall of Fame during The Headwear Association's annual gala dinner on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Central Park Boathouse in New York City.

THA Celebrates 102nd Year Anniversary

The Headwear Association (THA) celebrates its 102nd year anniversary with a gala dinner at the Central Park Boathouse, E. 72nd St & Park Drive in New York on Thursday, March 18th at 6pm.

Highlights of the evening include:

-- Induction of new members of the Headwear Hall of Fame. 2010 inductees are: Humphrey Bogart, Brad Pitt, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Jessica Parker, Audrey Hepburn and Jennifer Lopez

-- To honor outgoing THA president David Goldman, with the David Lieberman Award

-- To present the annual Hat Retailer of the Year Award to Martin Mann of Hats Plus in Chicago

-- To present the Ben Rosenthal Award to S.H. Baik of Young An, a leader in the headwear industry

For more information, please contact THA's publicist Susan W. Littman, SWPR at 312-222-1337 or susan@swpr.biz

Hats Make a Perfect Gift for Valentine’s Day

According to a survey released by The National Retail Federation (NRF), shoppers will be more practical and economical this Valentine's Day. In fact, more people indicated that they will chose winter accessories and other clothing options in place of jewelry this year.

With budgets tight and Valentine's Day around the corner, The Headwear Association recommends buying your sweetie a stylish hat.

Popular styles for men: fedora, stingy brim, newsboy/ivy cap and western.

Popular styles for women: cloche, beret, newsboy/ivy cap and western.

Every Hat Has A Story - What's Yours?

Whether your hat has been passed down through generations, bought for a special occasion, or just really looks good on you...tell us in 100 words or less why your hat is so memorable and you can be eligible for a chance to win a free hat if it's posted on our website.

Send your essay along with a photo of you wearing your hat to: susan@swpr.biz

Headwear for the Homeless Event

On December 10th, members of The Headwear Association gave away about 5,000 hats to more than 20 shelters and nonprofits nationwide during its annual Headwear for the Homeless event. A big thank you to everyone who participated in giving warm hats to those in need during this very cold December.

Annual “Headwear for the Homeless” Campaign kicks-off December 10

It's common knowledge that you lose as much as 80 percent of your body heat through your head. As temperatures plummet outside, wearing a hat can be one of the best ways to keep warm. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford proper headwear to protect their head and ears during the long winter months.

In an effort to help disadvantaged people keep warm when outdoor temperatures drop, The Headwear Association will donate thousands of hats to homeless shelters and nonprofit organizations nationwide on Thursday, Dec. 10.

"Many of us read or hear about those less fortunate than ourselves and wish there was something we could do to help," said David Goldman, president of The Headwear Association. "We decided that our organization could do our part by providing wool, felt, knit and fleece beanies and caps to underprivileged men, women and children to help keep them warm during the brutal winter months."

For anyone who spends time outside this winter, wearing a hat while it's cold outside is a small preventive measure to help avoid getting sick, If your body doesn't have to work so hard keeping warm, it will have more resources to keep you healthy during the cold and flu season.

The participants of this year's Headwear for the Homeless campaign includes:
Bollman Hats, Dorfman-Pacific, Grace Hats, Hat Attack, Jay Gerish Co., Kathy Jeanne, Inc., NES Enterprises, Outdoor Cap, Outback Trading, Philadelphia Rapid Transit, and San Diego Hat.

For more information contact Susan Weiss, SWPR, 312-222-1337, susan@swpr.biz

Hats Off to 2010 Headwear Hall of Fame Inductees

Three showbiz icons and three modern day performers were chosen as the newest inductees into The Headwear Association's Headwear Hall of Fame.

Whether singing, acting, dancing or serving as a goodwill ambassador, this year's inductees literally wear many hats including stylish ones in their off-screen lives.

The 2010 Headwear Hall of Fame inductees include:

• Humphrey Bogart
• Audrey Hepburn
• Jennifer Lopez
• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Brad Pitt
• Frank Sinatra

Annually, The Headwear Association recognizes the positive influence of famous hat wearers by choosing six people to be inducted into the Headwear Hall of Fame. These inductees comprise current day hat wearers as well as early influencers that have had a positive impact on the evolution of hat wearing and headwear fashion.

Winners will be formally inducted into the Headwear Hall of Fame during The Headwear Association's annual gala dinner on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at the Central Park Boathouse in New York City.

A Few Good Hat Movies

I have recently seen 3 very good movies featuring hats: The Sting, Funny face and Grey Gardens. While the first 2 are the classics and the 3rd is a bit of an acquired taste, all 3 feature many stylish, unique and inspiring hats.

Funny Face

THA Kicks off Annual "Hat Day in the Sun"

With 90 percent of all skin cancers caused by sun exposure, The Headwear Association (THA) is once again launching Hat Day in the Sun on Friday, June 19, 2009 to coincide with the first weekend of summer.

Hat Day in the Sun, an annual national public awareness campaign will educate adults and children about how the right hat can protect against skin cancer, premature skin damage and the advance aging process. To celebrate this event, THA members will be giving away free wide-brimmed sun-protection hats across the country as well as tips for sun protection.

“A hat with a wide brim along all sides of your head should offer good sun protection for your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck,” said David Goldman, president of The Headwear Association. "In the case of sun protection, a good hat should be both stylish and functional."

To be sure you are purchasing the right hat to protect against the harmful effects of the sun; The Headwear Association recommends the following tips:

Size - A hat with a minimum 2 ½” brim can provide adequate sun protection for the neck, face and ears.

Shape - Hat shapes that protect better against ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are ones that curve down to follow the contours of the head and neck.

Material - The material of a hat should be lightweight and breathable. Fabric should be a closed weave straw, raffia, cloth, or felt.

For more information about The Headwear Association or Hat Day in the Sun, please visit http://www.theheadwearassociation.org/ or call Susan Weiss, SWPR at 312-222-1337.

# # #