Headwear Spotlight: BMC Handmade + GIVEAWAY OF THE WEEK

Article written by: Asmara Wreksono
Posted on: January 22, 2010

BMC HANDMADE  GIVEAWAY

We’ve got FOUR BMC Handmade Beanies to give away via a “SoJones Forum Comments Lottery”. Here’s how it works:

Every SoJones forum post dated January 22nd – 29th counts as a “lottery entry”. Go to the SoJones forum here: http://www.sojones.com/forums/

Drawing for three winners from the GIVEAWAY PAGE (a.k.a. this page’s) comments will be held on January 30th.

Forum Comments Lottery Rules

One item per winner

Duplicate comments will not count, like posting “I love this forum” or “hi” 50 times.

Garbage or nonsensical comments will not count, like “awr#$ASFasdfkl”

Comments hating on other people will definitely NOT count.

U.S. residents only

The classic yet often overlooked beanie has found new life as BMC Handmade brings the headwear beyond the coolness of winter and into a knitted year-round trend.  The creator/owner of BMC Handmade, Brian McAlister detailed his inspiration about the line to SoJones.com.

So first, before introduction: what differs your headwear line from the others?
We design our hats for fashion first, while its function comes second. When it comes to beanies, people wear them in different ways, similar to ball caps. They wear them pulled way back to get a slouchy look, to the side, and some like the traditional forward look. Not everyone wears their hat pulled back, but that styling started when someone tried it, it looked cool, and people copied it. So we make hats that cater that look. With the snug fit hats the look is to have the hat very flush to the head with no peaking, and the ears tucked to the head. When your hat stretches to much you lose that look. We make our snug fit on the smaller size, so it can break into the size of the head, while the elastic keeps the ever important perimeter from stretching out. With a love for beanies, I noticed that many of my hats failed to accommodate these qualities that serve look/style. I did have one.

Introduce yourself and describe how your brand was started?
BMC Handmade was founded by myself, Brian McAlister. My love for beanies was the root to creating BMC. I have always been into beanies and always noticed how some guys wore them in different ways, like an attitude thing. I remember trying different styling, but it was hard to find a hat that got me the look I wanted. I did find one though. It was a hat, hand crocheted, by the grandmother of my freshman year roommate. I remember the day I lost it; I told myself I was going to make my own hats one day. It took three year before I acted on it, but after college I finally bought a book on crochet. Of course everyone made fun of me, especially because I am a guy, but before I new it, I was pretty good, and made some sick hats. People wanted them. The final push to start a business came one day at work. I currently work at a clothing company. One of the head designers saw me making one and was blown away. After that, I decided to look in to production and now here I am.

Any hat-wearing tip for our readers?
Hats are an accessory. Similar to shoes, you use them to either stand out or blend into your outfit. Use it as a focal point, wearing a pop color with a grey shirt and dark denim. Or use a black or grey hat that blends and compliments your plaid woven shirt.

Any product placements on celebs, in movies or videos to keep an eye out for?
Not as of yet. I am working on Ohio State Licensing. My goal is to provide hats for athletes of my alma alter. One day I would like to see them on the football players while warming up, before we beat Michigan. This is a niche I see opportunity in.

Any expansion plans? You know, beyond beanies.
I look to expand into handbags/messenger bags for the spring. But my focus will stay in beanies, developing my bill and earflap styles. Scarves and arm warmers are in the future too.

Looking ahead over the next year or two, what themes/looks/styles do you see your brand gravitating to?
In the future I see our brand gravitating towards natural specialty yarns. Now we are using a very soft acrylic yarn. This will take time to develop.

What themes/looks/styles do you see your brand moving away from?
Being a young company, we are still testing our different customers to see which colors and style work best where. So far we are not pulling out of any styles

What has been a surprise fashion hit over the last year?
The large slouch fit has been increasingly popular style. You see people even wearing them in the summer now. Beanies are no longer for just the winter. It’s a style piece too.

Do you love BMC Handmade’s beanies?  Well, you’re gonna love them even more because the wonderful minds who created the beanies teamed up with the Childrens Hospital Columbus for a charity benefit.  For every hat sold, BMC will donate a hat to a child with hair loss due to chemotherapy.  Talk about a simple but sweet gesture.  SoJones.com’s editors pick out some of BMC’s best for you, and yes, you can cop BMC for a price range of $18.50 – $20.50, to look good AND feel good helping the kids :)  Just go straight to their official website at www.bmchandmade.com to view the full collection.

BMC HANDMADE  GIVEAWAY

We’ve got FOUR BMC Handmade Beanies to give away via a “SoJones Forum Comments Lottery”. Here’s how it works:

Every SoJones forum post dated January 22nd – 29th counts as a “lottery entry”. Go to the SoJones forum here: http://www.sojones.com/forums/

Drawing for three winners from the GIVEAWAY PAGE (a.k.a. this page’s) comments will be held on January 30th.

Forum Comments Lottery Rules

One item per winner

Duplicate comments will not count, like posting “I love this forum” or “hi” 50 times.

Garbage or nonsensical comments will not count, like “awr#$ASFasdfkl”

Comments hating on other people will definitely NOT count.

U.S. residents only