HATS OFF TO THE HEADWEAR ASSOCIATION’S 88TH ANNUAL AWARDS WINNERS

This year’s annual Headwear Association Awards Dinner was held in New York and paid tribute to great milliners.

Founded in 1908, this 115-year-old organization is the oldest of its kind in the USA. With the mission of its founders to encourage friendship and fraternity in the hat trade, this goal has been achieved and maintained for more than a century.

Before the honors were given, a seminar was conducted about the state of the milliners industry with keynote speaker Ambassador Ronald J. Sorini. In addition to Ron Sorini, Rick Helfenbein, former Chairman, President & CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (“AAFA”), also joined to give his insights on this topic.

This year’s awards were presented with cocktails, gaiety, and camaraderie. The 2025 F.I.T./S.H. Baik Scholarship was presented to Moon Mendoza, a student at FIT. The 2025 T.H.A. Retailer of the Year was awarded to Harlem’s Heaven Hats owner Evetta Petty. The 2025 Ben Rosenthal Award Winner was Wilson King from Outback Trading Company.

Kudos to The Headwear Association for creating a spirit of goodwill within its membership as the industry’s designers continue to create innovative headwear that turns heads.