For those of you that have got your copies of issue 10, you will have seen the headwear feature which starts on page 79. Through the feature we had quotes from some of the owners, designers and marketing guys behind these labels. To get these quotes I actually fired off a few questions to each one and some of them came back with some brilliant answers! Click below the cut to get a laugh and be inspired to do your own labels by the nicest guys in headwear…

The Harwood Fedora in Grey Pinstripe by coaL. Answers from Brad Scheuffele, coaL owner.

Dave: What was the inspiration behind the label?
Brad: It was simply the fact that all headwear was being treated as nothing more than an accessory. I wanted more style in the things I was wearing. Not just the average beanie with a big logo on it. I wanted the style and design of the hat, or beanie to be about how it looks when its worn, and no one was doing that. Everyone was just using the same shape and coloring it differently or adding their logo here or a stripe there. Before starting the brand I was wearing hand knit beanies that my girlfriend was making me. It was these that inspired me to look at beanies differently.

D: Why did you choose headwear instead of a full clothing label?
B: Good question. We have been doing “accessories” to our headwear from the beginning. Everything from t’shirts to cut and sew sweatshirts to fine sweaters. But I think there is something unique about the specialization on a single product mix. Especially in times where so many people are trying to be everything to everyone. I like the fact that we are really good at what we do and I don’t want to change that. When we do introduce new products I want to make sure were in a position to give it as much attention to detail as we do our headwear.

D: Who works on the label with you?
B: Right now there are four of us in house. Myself, Kami the main designer, Joe our developer and Dustin who handles all production and logistics. I also work with Aaron Draplin in portland on catalogs and ads. Up until a year ago it was just Kami and I doing all design and development so bringing in a full time developer was a huge step for us. In the end were a pretty small group that puts a lot into everything we do.

D: What does the future hold for coaL?
B: I really hope we can just keep doing what were dong. Be innovative, unique and focused while growing naturally both as a brand and as a company.

D: We used the Harwood in the shoot, what was the inspiration for that piece?
B: The Harwood was inspired by the hat my great uncle Harwood used to wear. I looked at his classic pinch front Fedora and put our twist on it by modernizing its shape and applying custom materials and finishes. All our fedoras are made from our own custom patterns and molds so you wont find the same thing from anyone else. Unless they knocked us off, but thats a whole other story…. I’ll save that one for later. : )

coaL is available in Australia through Abyss Distribution. Contact them here.

The Fatty in Yellow & Cyan by Elm: Answers from Alex Karayan, Elm owner.

Dave: What was the inspiration behind the label?
A: Basically, we got started because there were no decent headwear companies at the time and everything was looking the same. Boring. Most companies produce hats just as an accessory to the rest of their line. We just felt like we could do it better and put more thought into it.

D: Why did you choose headwear instead of a full clothing label?
A: We get asked that all the time. We’re a headwear company first and foremost. Attention to detail is what we pride ourselves on and we’ve built a reputation with our hats that way. We nitpick about things that most people wouldn’t even notice. To take that same attention to detail and apply it to a full clothing line would be a huge undertaking. That’s not to say we’ll never do clothing, but #1 priority right now is headwear.

D: Who works on the label with you?
A: Just me and a couple other douchebags, but let’s not waste time talking about them, this is MY interview.

D: What does the future hold for your label?
A: If I had the power to predict the future, I wouldn’t be typing answers to these questions right now. Seriously though, I can tell you we have a few big things we’re working on. I think people are going to be pretty hyped. Though, I can’t tell you anything about them… hmm… so I guess we couldn’t really tell you anything after all.

D: We used The Fatty in neon/sky blue for the shoot – tell me a bit about it and its inspiration…
A: Neon/Sky Blue?? Hmmm, sounds like a bootleg rip-off. You’ll be hearing from our attorney’s…

Elm Headwear is available in Australia through Roboticko Distribution. Contact them here.

The Louce Flavor Beanie by IFOUND: Answers by Guillaume Brochu, IFOUND owner.

Dave: What was the inspiration behind the label?
G: IFOUND inspiration came when I was in Whistler around Alta lake struggling with sponsors in 2004, I had a feeling something needed to be built for snowboard headwear. Nobody really had headwear sponsors and the beanies offered by companies were just basic product with not much energy behind designs. Me and Mat wanted to push it to a level were the artwork is the main focus, and were the product is represented by positive attitude people, not just talented big head guys.

D: Why did you choose headwear instead of a full clothing label?
The first reason why headwear is because it is a product that we knew we could change the general trend and set apart from the pack. It is also a product that doesn’t necessarily involved huge numbers on orders, so it allow every skeptical store to give it a try without risking much. With the beanies, we offer the buyer’s something unique instead of being compared to other clothing lines, who work hard on their perfect fits, fabrics, etc.

D: Who works on the label with you?
G: IFOUND is a four pack, Me (sales&Marketing), my brother JP (accounting), Mat Laroche (art director) Ezekiel Lebrun (Production manager). Each of us has a specific task and the magic happens when we all take our responsibility to a 100%.

D: What does the future hold for your label?
G: International development is our main priority. After three years on the market and the response so far,we think the product is ready to be sold everywhere. Hope the future holds great benefits for the team riders, who worked very hard to bring IFOUND where its at.

D: We used the Major Logo beanie in Greener for the shoot – tell me a bit about it and its inspiration…
G: This beanie is an inspiration of friends who were all buying blank beanie one season and the fit was just amazing. It is not to warm with a louce fit, very comfy. You can wear it in the clubs no prob. We decided to split green colors and wanted a big ass 3d embroidery, which came out nice, big and just perfect.

IFOUND is available in Australia through Sportfactor. Contact them here.

The Neu Tropez Fitted Cap by Official: Answers from Jason Maggio, Official owner.

Dave: What was the inspiration behind the label?
J: Official was created by recognizing a void in premium headwear offerings. We felt that what was being offered was very one dimensional and centered around professional sports teams. We all grew up wearing hats but wanted to rock something that better reflected our interests and who we are.

D: Why did you choose headwear instead of a full clothing label?
Actually, we plan to grow Official into a full collection. Our growth and progression plan is organically oriented in the sense that when the time is right and we can distinguish our new offerings correctly we will broaden our range. We started with fitted hats and have moved into 5 panel/Front panels, beanies and other adjustable silhouettes. We also have a delivery of cut & sew T’s for A/W 08.

D: Who works on the label with you?
J: We have the raddest team of people around the world working with us. On the distribution side of things we have great companies who are likeminded and committed to strengthen Official in their respective territories. In Australia we have Steele of Spire Clothing and he has a long-term plan that will grow Official in the right shops keeping our brand positioned as a premium product and simultaneously widely available.

D: What does the future hold for your label?
J: The best thing about having a brand is that the possibilities are endless. If you are creative, innovative and adventurous the brand can take you to amazing places and give you amazing experiences. I like to think of Official as an enabler to our creativity. So whatever we can come up with we can use Official to make it a reality.

D: We used the Incoronare Stripe hat for the shoot – tell me a bit about it and its inspiration…
J: Man, the Incoronare stripe is just a classic piece for us. The red/white/baby blue plaid hints to our roots (US colors), and the Italian made fabric gives the overall feeling of prestige, importance and eminence. But then we kinda flipped it by using a shemagh pattern undervisor. Which really is a juxtaposition. We took something that looks very patriotic and European rooted and added an iconic middle eastern pattern to the
undervisor. This shit should be in the Smithsonian Institute.

Official is available in Australia through Spire Distribution. Contact them here.