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How did you think of the
idea for Hat & Hair™ in
the first place?
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Well, I had a regular hat business at the time, but
there was this one woman in particular who
first inspired me. She was an elegant woman who had just gone through treatment
for breast
cancer. She told me that wearing a wig and a hat at the same time was just plain
torture, and
could I "think of something"? That's when the light bulb went on, so
to speak, and I began think-
ing of how I could combine the hat and wig industry. But on a personal note,
I have to say I was
very moved by her surviving cancer because I had just lost my mother to pancreatic
cancer the
year before. Needless to say, I felt very motivated to help her and any woman
suffering with
hair loss.
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Is your product Hat & Hair™ just
for cancer patients?
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Oh no, not at all. I sell to as many women with hair as without hair. Hat & Hair™ is
a fun fashion
item as well. And, let's face it, we all have bad hair days! But in addition
to cancer patients,
there are other customers who suffer from hair loss as well. In the United
States alone there
are over 4 million men, women and children who suffer from an autoimmune
disease called
alopecia areata. For these customers, they may live with hair loss for
years, decades- even a
lifetime. For them, Hat & Hair™ is a welcome alternative to wearing
wigs day in and day out. |
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Is the hair of Hat & Hair™ sewn
into the hats?
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Wonderfully no! The hairpieces are detachable, washable, and interchangeable
with other hats
in the Hat & Hair™ line. |
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Is the hair real human hair?
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No, these hairpieces are made of the finest synthetic fibers available.
In introducing my product
I chose synthetic for two main reasons: 1.) Synthetic is more affordable
than real human hair
and I wanted to debut my product at the most affordable prices possible,
2.) synthetic is
easier to take care of. When you wash human hair, you must re-set it every
time. With synthetic
hair you basically "wash and wear". |
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I see you have
a patent on your product. What is different about Hat & Hair™ that
you were
able to get a patent?
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Good question! Because in order to be granted a patent your invention truly
has to be different;
those are the rules of the US Patent Office! The patented design differences
in my product
relate specifically to the level of comfort. I like to think of it as having
been granted a patent on
comfort. I have incorporated an elastic/Velcro combination in both the
hairpiece as well as the sweatband. They both stretch- they both have a "give
and take" ability to them that
makes wearing Hat & Hair™ a much more comfortable experience. |
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Is Hat & Hair™ just
for women? You mentioned children earlier.
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Yes, my product does fit children as well- I would say about 6 years old
and up at this point. I
will be designing for younger children's sizes in the future. However,
it all depends on the size
of the child's head. Some children have head sizes equal to adults and
visa-versa. The best
thing to do is try the product on and see how it looks and fits. |
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I notice that your hats
are really "normal" looking, whereas some cancer patient's
hats and
turbans look very conspicuous. Do you do this on purpose?
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Yes, I know the look you are talking about; they're what my customers call "Cancer
Patient
Uniform Wear". You do wonder if the woman or child under the hat,
scarf or turban is suffering
hair loss. Please understand me, I AM NOT going to "turban bash" here.
Turbans and scarves
have a necessary and comfortable place in this world! But as a hat maker,
it's a look that I am
purposefully not going for.
I designed this line to be as mainstream as possible because my customer
is already feeling
conspicuous enough just dealing with her hair loss and doesn't want to
stand out for all the
wrong reasons. With Hat & Hair™, the designs are contemporary
without being trendy, and the
hairpieces are lightweight enough so that they don't look like wigs underneath.
Also, the hats
can be worn with or without the hairpieces- they are that mainstream and
comfortable! |
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What exactly makes Hat & Hair™ more
comfortable than just a wig?
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Well, let's think about that for a minute. What makes a wig uncomfortable
in the first place?
Generally it's because it clings to your head and itches. In my design
I have removed the crown
of the wig and the hairpiece attaches to the sweatband of the hat; nothing
is itching
or clinging to your head. The entire crown of your head is now able to
breathe under the hat.
It's the ultimate in hot, humid weather! |
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I do notice how real these
hairpieces look! How are you able to achieve this?
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Thank You! Yes, I think they do too. Do you know what makes a wig look-
what I call- wigular? Two things: The crown where the hair is parted,
and the over abundance of hair. With Hat & Hair™,
you have neither of these factors. |
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What do you
hope Hat & Hair™ can do for your customer?
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Ultimately, I want to improve the quality of life for my customers who
are suffering from hair
loss. I saw a need for an alternative product that would give women and
children a greater
sense of freedom, anonymity, and comfort. And I believe if we can feel
better about our appear-
ance, this will translate to every molecule of our being and help in the
healing process. This
"
wellness" will then help improve the quality of our lives. This is
my hope. |
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