Tuesday, December 22, 2015

TASSELS ARE TRENDING

The 1970's are back and with them are tassels. This time around, this distinctive preppy look has branched out from ubiquitous moccasins and penny loafers to flats, mules and brogues and HATS.

GET TASSELLED 
TASSELS SCREAM PREPPY

Here at CALLANAN HATS we got you covered for this trend.

LV366-ASST-PECAN
100% WOOL FELT, RAW EDGE CLOCHE WITH CHAIN AND SUEDE TASSEL.
Available for Fall/Winter 2016.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

FEDORA WEARING FELLON ROBS A STARBUCKS

This man is suspected of robbing a Garland Starbucks last month. (Garland Police Department)
This man is suspected of robbing a Garland Starbucks last month. (Garland Police Department)
You say FEDORA, I say TRILBY, "same same but different" as they say in Thailand! Lets just settle on it being a stingy brimmed fedora aka trilby. The Dallas Morning New's blog readers  got into quite a tissy regarding if it fellow was wearing a fedora to trilby LMAO!
A well dressed man wearing a trilby robbed a Starbucks at gun point on November 19th 2015, in Garland, Texas. Looks like this is the only Starbucks location in the world with no line and nobody hanging out in the store. Maybe the regular patrons had a heads-up of the robbery. OMG, another conspiracy theory!
Garland police released an image of the robbery suspect Monday. The man entered the store around 5 p.m. Nov. 19 in the 2100 block of Northwest Highway. He pointed a gun at a barista and demanded money, police said. 
He fled with an undisclosed amount of money. He is described as 6-feet-tall, slim with brown eyes and hair. He was wearing glasses and had a goatee at the time of the robbery. He was wearing a navy sweater over a white Oxford shirt, slacks, a trilby and dress shoes, police said. 
Anyone with information is asked to call Garland police at 972-272-8477 or go to garlandcrimestoppers.org.

Color Trend S16/F16: Spice and all things nice (cinnamon & saffron)

Burgundy, deep plum, and burnt orange, natural tea, mango, are the colors of the spice market, this bronzed color palette takes accessories straight to Resort 16.  Look to handbags, eye wear and jewelry with a bohemian feel of  natural stones, beads and CALLANAN HATS retro trim detailing to stand out from the crowd!




Callanan hats has you covered for this trend. There is no way better to say boho than artisan crochet raffia hats with retro beads trim details.
CR235-ASST-TEA


CR229OS-ASST-TURQ.

CR232-NAT WITH RETRO INDIAN SEED BEAD TRIM

Available at BLOOMINGDALE'S SPRING 2016.



CALLANAN's  "ARROW CANYON" ultra suede collection is a true homage to '70 boho chic.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

CAPS IN VOGUE

Of course you are always en vogue when you don a cap or hat.

But in case you were in doubt, check out the January issue of VOGUE magazine.




I know that all you fashionista know, that BIKER JACKETS are the "jackets" of the fall 2015 season, and what better way to pull the look off, than donning an authentic GREEK AEGEAN cap, exclusively from Dorfman Pacific.

GREEK FISHER MAN CAP 

AEGEAN GREEK fisher man caps are truly the best gender neutral caps for all noggins.


AEG101-NAVY
These caps are available in cotton or wool from stores nationwide.




Sunday, December 6, 2015

WHAT ARE THE HOT LC399 PANTONE COLORS FOR 2016

Why pick one winner when you can pick 2.

So the pantone colors for 2016 are rose quartz and serenity blue.

PANTONE Color of the Year HiRes 3
Carlstadt, NJ—For the first time, Pantone named two colors in their annual color of the year for 2016: Pantone 15-3919 Serenity and Pantone 13-1520 Rose Quartz which the color authority describes as “a harmonious pairing of inviting shades that embody a mindset of tranquility and inner peace.”
“With the whole greater than its individual parts, joined together Serenity and Rose Quartz demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
The pairing is viewed as an antidote to the stress of modern day life: “Weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, Serenity comforts with a calming effect, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times. Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure.
Pantone_Color_of_the_Year_2016_shop_Pantone_Swatch_Cards
This combination of Serenity and Rose Quartz also challenges some more traditional perceptions around color association.

Popular Pair for Accessories

“In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design,” said Eiseman. “This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumers’ increased comfort with using color as a form of expression which includes a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged, and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.”
The combination of Serenity and Rose Quartz was featured on the runways for both men and women and highlighted in the Pantone’s Fashion Color Report Spring 2016 with Rachel Pally, Kung Katherine, Leanne Marshall, David Hart and BCBG, among others who incorporated this color pairing into their recent collections. Furthermore, the pairing of shades can be expressed through patterning, plaids, floral prints, striping and color blocking. Variations of this hue will be seen in a variety of textures that make it wearable throughout the year, from warming and comforting plush wools and faux furs to more ethereal feeling, lightweight linens and cottons, Pantone stated.
Serenity and Rose Quartz are also a popular choice for jewelry and fashion accessories, including handbags, hats, footwear and wearable technology. The color combination also works easily with other mid-tones, including cooler greens and purples.

The runner ups are just as pretty but there can only be 1 winner, except this year we had 2 ;-))

I will do a special call out to Peach, Snorkel Blue and Lilac Gray.








ALL THESE COLORS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUT BEST SELLING SCALA HAT LC399 AND IN MANY OTHER HATS IN OUR CALLANAN, TOMMY BAHAMA AND CAPPELLI COLLECTIONS.


ROSE QUARTZ AKA PINK.

SERENITY AKA M. BLUE.

PEACH ECHO AKA SALMON.


About the Pantone’s Color of the Year

The Color of the Year selection process requires thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. To arrive at the selection each year, Pantone’s color experts at the Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, play styles and socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even up-coming sporting events that capture worldwide attention. Past selections for Color of the Year include: PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala (2015) PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid (2014) PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald (2013) PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012) PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011)

Thursday, December 3, 2015

WHAT'S A MUNDORA?

First came the "MUN" aka a man bun on the top of the head.
Now, for all you hipster hating guys and balding jealous gents, who are unable to pull a "MUN" off. Get over it!
Haters will be haters!
Those of us with a healthy head of viking flowing locks really do not care what you think.
We love "MUNS", we don't care...........

So what better way to raise you "MUN" game, than with a "MUNDORA".
A "MUNDORA" is a miniature fedora or any other hat, that can be attached to a "MUN".
MUNS and MUNDORAS really put the M in all American Male Masculinity!




The mundoras have left their Brooklyn birth place and are being seen at hipster summits globally.

VLAD he no look happy. I think his mun may be a little too tight. Give him headache.

David should have went with a classic British MUNLER over a mundora.

Kim chi Jong goes mundora and is just so happy with his new look.

Obama goes MUN-A-RAMA. The Prez just oozes style.

George should have worn a MUNBOY hat. 

George is so ahead of the curve with the man braids!!! 

Joe rocking an INDIANA JONES mundora by DORFMAN PACIFIC

With the holidays around the corner, there may be a run on MASCINATORS

SCALA MASCINATORS. The perfect gift for the man who has every thing.



Thursday, November 12, 2015

QUILTED LADY TRENDS FOR WINTER 2015

Soft pastels and neutral colors keep quilted handbags looking fresh for the upcoming season. Classic front-flap handbags and utility belts carry the trend from chic to sporty, while quilted watches exude a timeless look. TOP this trend off in a sporty or winter warm quilted hat from SCALA.



LW632-ASST-CAMEL

Sporty cadet cap from SCALA PRONTO. The fleece lining will keep your noggin warm and is great camouflage for soccer mom "bad hair" days.

LW420-ASST-CHOC

This classic Connecticut lady bucket hat, is an annual classic seller. Lined in fleece, you will be cozy and chic.



Wednesday, November 4, 2015

CALLANAN "100% HAND MADE" RAFFIA HATS

Recently we added 100% hand made labels to the callanan raffia hats. We did this in order to call attention to the artisan aspect of these fine hats. Unfortunately, nowadays people are so used to cheap, mass produced items from stores like H & M, Zara, Primark, just to mention a few, that they are oblivious to the true cost of making micro produced hats, while also trying to practice fair trade; in addition to keeping our carbon footprint small.

So lets look at all the manual labor steps that go in to making these fine CALLANAN crochet raffia hats and you may wonder why these hats do not sell for $500 instead of under $100.



The raffia fiber is obtained from the raffia (raphia) palm tree, which grows in tropical regions and in wet soil in Madagascar, Africa and the Philippines. The raffia palm (Raphia farinifera) is made of long leaves that can attain 60ft (18m), which makes it the palm tree with the largest branches. Each palm branch is made of nearly 100 leaflets, which are cut and torn off in parallel lines yielding long continuous fiber of a pale green color.

Harvesters go deep into the island to harvest the raffia palm. The fonds are harvested by hand, by men who manually climb to the tree tops to cut the fonds. This is difficult work, as there are no branches, but it is the only way to reach the tender fonds.





They strip and sun dry the freshly cut pale green fonds. The drying of the raffia is very important. If the artisans just lays the raffia out in he sun it will shrivel and cannot be used to weave. To avoid this, the artisans carefully wrap the raffia around grasses and weeds to ensure a more uniform drying process.


The fond is split in half. Each half is dried and then splits again several more times into many independent long fibers. The actual raffia is the very thin membrane of the leaf, kind of like veins on celery, which needs to be pulled off very carefully without breaking.

The dried raffia fibers then turn beige in color to yield the natural colored raffia we all know.




The raffia strands are then brought into warehouses, where they are sorted and separated into different qualities of raffia, according to their color, texture, fiber length and width.



Each quality is then transferred to another section where they will be tied into raffia hanks, balls, braids or spools. Part of this natural raffia is also dyed to obtain colored natural raffia. 






All these processes from the raffia harvesting, to the dying and packing are done manually by the local people with the utmost respect to the environment. Governmental laws also contribute to the preservation of the raffia palm trees by limiting the harvest of raffia palm from June to October each year to allow the branches of the raffia palm trees to regrow before the start of the next harvest season




It is then time for the hat artisans to hand crochet raffia hats.  A simple cloche shape can take a day and fancier/finer weaves up to 3 days. This is often done as a cottage industry by mothers or grandmothers. The finished hood (unblocked, undecorated, unshaped) being sent to the factory to be blocked into the desired shape.

hand crocheting callanan hat trim

hand crocheting a callanan raffia hat
After the crochet raffia hat is finished, it is often left outside in the sun to be naturally bleached into a more uniform color.



RAFFIA HATS AND RAFFIA STRANDS BEING NATURALLY BLEACHED IN THE SUN.

I am often asked why some raffia hats cost more than others. There are a number of reason for prices differences.



* The chunkier and more open the crochet, the cheaper it is to make, as it is way faster for the worker to crochet looser.
* The smaller the hat the quicker it is to crochet. Cloches and small brim fedoras are cheaper than fancy crochet large brim sun hats and western shapes.
*The more uniform the raffia color and tighter the crochet, the more expensive the hat.

So, with that in mind, next time you pick a crochet raffia hat up, be in awe at how inexpensive it is!!

100% hand made callanan crocheted raffia.

100% crocheted callanan western hats

CALLANAN HAND MADE CROCHET RAFFIA FACE SAVER CR209
CALLANAN CR206-CHILI CROCHET RAFFIA


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

AMERICAN MEN AND HATS

Interesting hat article from NPR.

What Hats Tell Us About American Men

Ben Franklin in a fur hat.i
Ben Franklin in a fur hat.
Library of Congress
Fedoras, flat caps, baseball caps — hats are prevalent among certain American men these days. Perhaps the hats tell us more about the hat wearer than we realize.
In fact, the National American History Museum points out in its intro to an online hat exhibit that "a hat is much more than a practical device for keeping one's head warm. As a symbol of identity, it also reveals much about the wearer's occupation, social class, cultural heritage, and personal style."
Think about it: George Washington and his tricorn; Abraham Lincoln and his stovepipe. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders hat. American history was made by men in hats.
For decades and decades, a hat on a man was like a dot on an i, a capstone on a column, a knob on a walking cane. The hat topped everything off, figuratively and literally. And it made a statement.
But what do those hats on historical Americans tell us about the wearers?
Be A Hatter, Not A Hater
The study of the headgear, American "hatology" goes way back. Near the end of the 1800s, a hat-maker in New York City revealed the secrets of reading an American man's personality by the kind of hat he wore. According to a Kansas City Gazette story of Jan. 31, 1890, the unnamed hatter explained to reporter G.H. Sandison that "almost the whole gamut of the human emotions can be expressed by the hat, if one only knows how to do it."
Men often chose hats to reflect their personalities, he said, and not to adhere to the latest trends. "The result is an article that certainly possesses the merit of individuality, if nothing else."
The hatter pointed out that Sen. William Maxwell Evarts of New York, for instance, "never wears a new hat. ... He buys a 6 3/4 fur beaver with a wide straight brim and wears it well back on his head, in a way that is inimitable. In any other hat, he would not be William Maxwell Evarts."
Abram Hewitt with hat in hand, circa 1865.i
Abram Hewitt with hat in hand, circa 1865.
Library of Congress
Milliners at the turn of the 20th century recommended that fur beaver hats — popular for men and women — be dry cleaned.
And prominent New Yorker John Jacob Astor, the unnamed hatter continued, routinely wore "a high hat of a most venerable vintage seven inches in measurement and with a wide, straight brim that gives the wearer a Quakerish aspect."
The silk hat worn by former New York Mayor Abram Hewitt, the hatter pointed out, was about three seasons old. Hewitt's summerware included "a faded white high hat of doubtful age and style."
When a hat ages and the brim begins to give way, he said, "the whole character of the hat is changed. The third season generally relegates a piece of head-gear to the ranks of the 'has-beens' and when a man wears so old chapeau he is justifiably classed with the antiques."
The soft high hat, he proclaimed, "is the hat of men of talent. Just look how many of our great men wear it. There's Thomas Alva Edison, who was never known to wear any other than a soft knock-about. He takes a 7 1/4 hat, which is a very large size." Poet Joaquin Miller, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Henry Ward Beecher, Oscar Wilde and other "poets, painters, authors and statesmen without number affect the soft hat."
Dinner Plate
Writing in the American Hatter journal of 1915, H.H. Manchester noted that hats in America had a long, venerable history. In 1662 the colony of Virginia offered 10 pounds of tobacco for every good wool or fur hat made in the colony — to promote manufacturing. American colonists became so proficient at making hats — 10,000 were fashioned annually in New York and New England alone — the British Parliament passed a law in the mid-1700s effectively outlawing exportation of hats from the New World.
Meanwhile, Manchester wrote, new hat-making operations opened in New Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut.
The Sandusky, Ohio, Star-Journal reported in 1911 that hatters mostly used the fur of rabbits, nutria, musquash — the muskrat — and beaver's hair.
And wool. When George Washington's Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton delivered a report to Congress in 1791 about the U.S. wool industry, hat-making was considered one of the economy's shining spots. And according to a manufacturing report based on the census of 1860, millions of hats were being made and sold in the United States.
Cartoon of William M. Evarts, in his signature high hat, 1886.
Cartoon of William M. Evarts, in his signature high hat, 1886.
Library of Congress
By 1890, the unnamed hat dealer was saying that the soft hat "is the American hat, the National head-gear. It lies easy on the head and is cool in the summer and sufficiently warm in the winter, being made in different weights to suit the season. For a century it has been the distinctive mark of men of brains."
Walt Whitman, he said, was "addicted" to a soft hat and "it is really a knock-about, serving as hat, fan and sometimes even as a table cloth. He has been known to eat his dinner out of its capacious crown."
Heads Up
Over the years, other kinds of head toppers, such as bowlers and boaters and cowboy hats and Panama hats, have been trendy. But many American men continue to prefer the soft hats, like fedoras, flat caps and baseball caps.
Except for construction work in hard hat zones.
The hat that an American man chooses to wear does tell us something about his character — and has for centuries. But the kinds of hats its men prefer — flexible, casual, durable, unstuffy — may also tell us something about the character of this country.