The Headwear Association

The Headwear Association (THA) is a 106-year-old association which is the oldest association in the fashion industry.

Their Mission: To promote hats and the headwear industry throughout the world, and to foster goodwill and fellowship among those engaged in the headwear industry.

Originally known as the Traveling Hat Salesman’s Association (THSA), the organization was founded on January 30, 1908 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City by 34 hat salesmen.

A charter was initiated that declared the purpose of the association was to “encourage the spirit of friendship and fraternity” in the hat trade. To better represent and address the needs of the members and the industry, the THSA changed its name to The Headwear Association (THA) in 2003.

With the help of a dedicated team of Platinum Sponsors and a full-time Public Relations firm, THA has become a one-stop resource fashion editors, stylists, wardrobe supervisors, and prop masters who are looking for hats and hair accessories for current projects.

Platinum Sponsor catalogs are posted on our website and provided to editors upon request. Our members are more than willing to help stylists and editors find exactly what they are looking for and loan products out for editorial, fashion shows, or TV/Film projects.

They believe headwear is enjoying a tremendous resurgence, and we all want that momentum to continue.

For those interested in joining The Headwear Association as a member or platinum sponsor, more information can be found here at their website.