Block Headwear Opens Flagship, Exclusive Designer Interview

by Annie Scott (RSS feed)
Apr 23rd 2010 at 6:04AM

You probably saw Block Headwear first on Will Smith, and you may be used to passing their smart, masculine men's hats at Saks or specialty boutiques. Now, for the first time, after almost ten successful years of hatting, Block Headwear is finally opening their very own flagship store in Soho, NYC at 10 Prince Street (between Bowery and Elizabeth, above).

With the store set to open Friday, we chatted with Cuban-born Block Headwear designer and president Ciomi McCabe.

Luxist: So, how did the first Block Headwear store come about?

Ciomi McCabe: We just felt that now was the right time for this transition. I receive a lot of emails, daily, from customers who've bought one Block hat and want to know where to buy another one, or they lost it in the cab, that kind of thing. As the brand, we always take care of them, but it was really time for us to just open our own store. We'll also be launching online shopping in about a month.

L: Any plans to make hats for women?

CM: Right now, we're focusing on expanding the men's headwear collection and moving into more accessories. I just feel that guys right now are so fashionable, and we fulfill that New York City and LA vibe really well. And when you have a men's headwear collection, women wear it, too.

L: Do you wear your hats?

CM: Yes!

L: Which is your favorite?

CM: I usually wear the fedoras, and the trilbies, too.

L: What's new for next season?

CM: Spring/Summer, there'll be blends of fabrics and traditional shapes. We keep it very classic, because it's headwear. It's the first thing that you notice, so it can't be too crazy. We're doing a lot of straw and straw fabrics.

L: If you could get your hats onto one celebrity, who would it be?

CM: Jake Gyllenhaal.

L: Yeah?

CM: He's one of my goals. I don't even know why. I also like the usual: Justin Timberlake. We have a really nice relationship with Will Smith.

L: How did that come about?

CM: Well, he was filming Bad Boys II in Miami, and he had asked his stylist to bring him a lot of headwear. So, the stylist happened to bring him a Block hat from a shop in Miami, and he loved it. The stylist called us up, he wanted it in different colors; and we still have a great relationship with him, it's really lasted.

It won't be long before you can buy Block Headwear directly online, but for now, visit the Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Store page to buy!

Tags: block, block headwear, ciomi mccabe, designer interviews, hat shop, hats, new york