Sanjay’s Trip to Nepal – Continued

An artisan making cashmere scarfs in outskirts of kathmandu

A couple of weeks ago we shared some photos from Sanjay’s trip to Nepal earlier this year. Today we’ve got a second edition for you!
Last time we left off with the Nepalese festival of Dashain. After the festival was over, Sanjay spent some time visiting a group of Nepalese artisans in outskirts of Kathmandu making beautiful, high-end scarves. The scarves are made of cashmere, silk and other fibers including bamboo and banana leaves. Pretty cool, huh?
Here at Yak, we were so impressed with the scarves that we’re planning on adding them to the Yak online store in the spring of 2012 – so be sure to check back in the new year!

landslide on the way to a village outside kathmandu

The next stop on the trip was a small hillside village where many Yak hat artisans reside. Unfortunately – due to the torrential rains from the week before, the road to the village was blocked by a landslide (apparently they’re very common in Nepal). But the landslide didn’t stop Sanjay – he climbed right over it, braving 100+ foot cliffs on the left side of the mountain. He was met on the other side of the slide by a shuttle service, which brought him to the quaint village known for knitting and organic farming.
There, Sanjay stayed in a beautiful mountaintop guest house with gorgeous views of the village farm fields, and even a winery! Doesn’t it look gorgeous?!
Check back in the coming weeks for more on Sanjay’s exciting travels in Nepal.

a village outside kathmandu where our artisans live and work

view of the village where the artisans live

Yak Apparel Selected to Appear on The Daily Grommet

YAK Apparel on the Daily Grommet

Lots of exciting things have been happening at Yak recently. Last week we told you about our new winter hat collection on Kohls.com, and this week we were selected to appear on The Daily Grommet!
The Daily Grommet is an online marketplace and the birthplace of Citizen Commerce, a movement that gives people the information and tools they need to support products that align with their own values. The Daily Grommet strives to create a place for people who want their purchases to have meaning — to support what matters most to them: whether it’s technical innovation, green or social enterprises, the creation of jobs, domestic manufacturing, or the preservation of craft. Every day at noon The Daily Grommet launches one inventive and meaningful consumer product and broadcasts its story across the web – this Thursday, that product is going to be Yak Hats!

Suggestions for The Daily Grommet come in from all over the world. Each month there are over 1000 submissions for just 20 spots! The staff of The Daily Grommet reviews all of the entries, tests the products – and then creates a video review for each of their favorites, and campaigns for the product across the web.

Here at Yak we are so honored to be featured on The Daily Grommet and we are proud that our product line and company values align with those of consumers across the globe. We also couldn’t have had more fun filming the video with The Daily Grommet in their awesome studio.

So don’t miss us this Thursday at noon on www.dailygrommet.com/products. We’ll be online to chat from 12-4pm so sign in and share your thoughts, ideas or suggestions.
See you there!

Yak Welcomes New Models Amanda and Jade

With all the fun goings-on at Yak this past month, we forget to tell you about some exciting new additions to the Yak Apparel family! Boston fashion models Amanda and Jade (recently named one of Boston’s top 10 models) spent a day with us in the studio last month, being shot by photographer Joel Benjamin in all kinds of Yak Apparel.

Amanda and Jade were so much fun to work with – and of course, looked absolutely stunning. Check out the website (www.yakapparel.com) to see some of the photos we got during the shoot. You can also visit photographer Joel Benjamin’s blog (http://joelbenjaminphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/YAK%20Apparel) to see some behind the scenes video of a previous Yak photo shoot.

Think you could be a Yak model? So do we! Visit http://www.yakapparel.com/women-winter-hats/Become-a-model.php to enter to win a free hat, and a chance to model for Yak.
Also, in case you missed it – Yak was featured on The Daily Grommet today. Go to http://www.dailygrommet.com/products/yak-apparel-winter-hats to see our listing on their website, and watch a video about the work we do in Nepal.

The Perfect Present – at the Perfect Price

Trapper Hat: YAK Apparel (L), Abercrombie and Fitch (R)

With Christmas and Chanukah right around the corner, holiday shopping is in full swing. While of course everyone is looking for the perfect presents – in this economy, we know most people are also looking for the perfect price. That’s why this week we decided to compare the price, comfort and warmth of Yak hats to other popular brands – to make sure we’re offering customers the best value. Today we thought we’d share with you the results of our (probably a little bit biased) research!

Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister are notorious for the stylish apparel – so we decided to take a look at what they have to offer in terms of headwear.

Abercrombie featured a “Cute Trapper Hat” for $58. A little bit more expensive than the Yak equivalent. However, while the hats may look similar in appearance, the more expensive Abercrombie hat is actually made out of a synthetic wool and acrylic blend – much less warm than the 100% wool that we use here at Yak.

We also compared our trapper hats to Abercrombie’s counterpart – Hollister. Hollister’s “Classic Trapper Hat” was a little bit cheaper at $44.50 – similar to Yak. But the Hollister hat faced the same issue as the Abercrombie one – it’s made out of a nylon/acrylic – no wool whatsoever! So it’s definitely not going to keep you as warm as Yak when you hit the slopes or face the bitter wind chill of cities like New York and Chicago.

So in the end we thought Yak came out on top – but what do you think? Which hat is the best value?

A Trip to the Birthplace of Yak Hats – Sanjay Visits Nepal

One of the things we’re most proud of here at Yak, is that the vast majority of our hats are handmade by local artisans in Nepal. The manufacturing of Yak hats is a great source of income for Nepalese women, and has a positive impact on Nepal’s fledgling economy.

This past month, Sanjay, one of the founders here at Yak, took a trip to his birthplace of Nepal to check in on the Yak manufacturers and spend some time with the wonderful artisans who knit the hats.

Sanjay arrived in Kathmandu during a monsoon, so he was stuck indoors for a few days. But if you have to be stuck indoors somewhere, you may as well be stuck at a gorgeous hillside resort with a sparkling indoor pool and stunning mountain views. Certainly beats another day at the office…

Luckily, the rain cleared up within a few days and all of the Yak hat artisans were hard at work earning some extra money before the Dashain Festival – Nepal’s biggest annual festival.

During Dashain all businesses close for ten to fifteen days and families come together to celebrate with food and music. Check out some of Sanjay’s pictures from the festival below – and check back next week for more on Sanjay’s exciting trip.

Black friday Sale on YAKApparel.com : 50% off between 6am-12pm on November 25th

50%-off black Friday discount

This Friday, the day after the thanksgiving, YAK Apparel is offering a big sale. It is a once a year deal- we are selling hats in all categories for 50% off.  This offer is going to last for only six hours between 6am and 12pm on Friday after thanksgiving, Nov 25^th 2011.  Apply the coupon code: “ BF2011” at the final checkout to receive a 50% discount on every purchase you make at YAKApparel.com.

We would like to wish you a very happy thanksgiving.

Special Yak Hat Offer for Christmas Tree Farms

YAK winter hats in display box

We can’t believe it’s already almost time for Thanksgiving – and aside from fretting over turkey preparation (roasted or deep fried?), what we’re really excited about is Christmas Tree shopping!
Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, families across the Northeast head out to local Christmas Tree Farms to choose the perfect sapling. The process can take anywhere from minutes to hours – depending on how big the farm is, and how indecisive the family members are!

In order to keep everyone warm during this year’s tree hunt, we’re outfitting area tree farmers across New England with our warmest Yak hats, and we’re offering a special deal on packaged displays of 24 fleece hats to sell to chilly shoppers.

The hats are nicely arranged in a box that can either sit on a counter, or be propped up on its own cover anywhere in the store or farm. So far, the farmers we’ve met with have been thrilled about the special deal and are ordering as many displays as they can to make sure they are stocked up for the busy holiday season.

If you know of a farm in your area that would be interested in Yak hats, send us an email, give us a call or write us a letter – we love adding farmers to the Yak family!
Email us, call us or write us:
customerservice@yakapparel.com
(508) 989-9734
Ranjit Busch Inc/ YAK apparel
279 East Central Street
#245
Franklin, MA 02038
USA

An Act of Compassion – YAK gives away 100 warm wool hats to Occupy Boston

Did ya see? Did ya see? YAK was on the news this past Friday evening! We came across reporters from Channel 4 at Occupy Boston, where we gave away 100 warm wool hats to protesters braving the weekend’s wintery weather.
We decided to give away the hats as an act of compassion, not a political statement. The YAK brand is all about compassion, style, and of course functionality and warmth, so donating the hats seemed like the perfect expression of all that we stand for as a company. And it was really fun– everyone was so appreciative and loved how warm and stylish all the hats were.



To hear more about our fun outing at Occupy Boston, check out the video in You Tube. To find out more about the Occupy Boston movement, visit their wiki.occupyboston.org.















 And don’t forget – Monday is the last day to get 25% off on your own Yak wool or faux-fur hat. Just use promotion code YAK1011 at checkout.

Holiday Gift Guide Post #7: The Significant Other

Well, it’s official – winter is on its way. With near freezing temperatures expected later in the week – and snow (yes, snow!) in the forecast for northern New England, here at Yak we’re about ready to break out our winter wardrobes. But before we get wrapped up in warm, fuzzy hats – we owe you one more Holiday Gift Guide post. So here you go holiday shoppers – the most important gift of all – the gift for your significant other.

It’s pretty tough to write a gift guide post for “the significant other” because every relationship has its own set of rules and expectations, so instead of specific products, today we’re going to outline three gift types that fall into different categories based on the length of the relationship: new relationship, serious relationship and married.

1)New Relationship: When you start dating someone just before a holiday it can be really stressful. Do you buy them a gift? A card? Anything at all? Here at Yak we love presents – so we think a gift is appropriate – but something small, and preferably handmade. If you’ve got a photograph of the two of you, put it in a cute frame, or make your boyfriend/girlfriend a “coupon book” of nice gestures they can cash in on like a kiss, a back massage, a homemade dinner, etc.

2)Serious Relationship: When you’ve been in a relationship with someone for a while, and you’re comfortable either living together or spending nights together, then a weekend getaway is a perfect holiday gift. Surprise your sweetie with a weekend in the mountains, or a trip to the beach – and top it all off with a romantic card or love letter.

3)Married: When you’re married it can be tempting to give each other practical gifts – a new vacuum cleaner, a bedroom set, cookware – but don’t fall into this trap too quickly. The holidays should be a special time to really celebrate each other – so sweeten the pot a little bit with something extravagant. When it comes to buying for your wife, never overlook a nice piece of jewelry. You might think that since you’ve already “put a ring on it” you don’t need to get her something sparkly – but women love jewelry that they can wear everyday and be reminded of your thoughtfulness. As far as the men go it’s pretty simple actually – a nice watch, piece of sports equipment or power tool usually goes over pretty well!

Still not sure what to get? Head on over to yakapparel.com to see some of our newest models strutting our favorite hats – and check back next week for more info on how you can become a Yak model too.

Holiday Gift Guide Post #6: The Outdoorsman (Or Woman)

Well, we’re almost through with our holiday gift guide and today we’ve got a great post for all of those city dwellers who don’t know what to get for their outdoorsy country cousins (or kids or parents or aunts and uncles…).

The outdoorsman (or woman) is actually really easy to buy for, because the thing they love the most is doing things! The perfect gift for the outdoorsy type is special trip or activity. Luckily, this year that’s even easier thanks to websites like Groupon and Living Social, which offer adventurous activity vouchers at prices from 50% to 90% off retail.

To find the perfect trip visit www.livingsocial.com/adventures (or other similar sites), and find the city nearest to the person you’re trying to buy for. On any given day there will be multiple options for adventures to purchase – and the vouchers are typically good for a year – voila!

Of course, if you’re not exactly sure what type of adventure to buy, you can always go with the gift that everyone loves – a Yak hat! There are tons of styles to choose from – from trapper hats to beanies and pom poms – and they come in men’s and women’s styles and plenty of colors. Yak hats are exceptionally warm and super stylish – the best of both worlds! Check ‘em out now at www.yakapparel.com and then come back soon to see our final Holiday Gift Guide post – your husband/wife or boyfriend/girlfriend.

Holiday Gift Guide Post #5: The Wine Connoisseur

Well our holiday gift guide is getting close to complete – just three posts left! So today we’re tackling one of the most difficult gifts of all – the wine lover’s gift. Wine lovers are typically REALLY picky and judgmental about wine – and since there are rarely any bottles that satisfy every taste (at least not within our gift guide budget), it can be an uphill battle trying to buy a bottle for a holiday (or housewarming) gift.

Now, while those of us here at Yak certainly love wine – we’re not exactly “wine connoisseurs.” So instead of trying to pick out the perfect bottle, we’ve got two great wine lover gifts that are alcohol-free and sure to suit every taste!

1. RSVP Endurance Stemless Wine Glasses

These super-modern stemless wine glasses are actually made of stainless steel. Sounds (and looks) bizarre but they are definitely trendy right now. Stainless steel “glasses” are also extremely durable and environmentally friendly, unlike some plastic alternatives which can leach chemicals into the water or wine – YUCK! Find them on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/RSVP-Endurance-Stemless-Wine-Glass/dp/B004TGTYVM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1319062440&sr=8-3. You can also get them in traditional, goblet and mug style.

2. Wine Charms

For the wine lover that’s also a frequent host or hostess – wine charms are the perfect gift. These cute little charms hook onto the stem of a wine glass and help party-goers identify their drink. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and at www.wineglasscharms.com, you can actually create your own set. Wine charms are a great DIY gift as well – you can make them at home with a couple of trinket charms and stiff wire.

Happy crafting!

Holiday Gift Guide Post #4: The Sports Fan

Well the New England Patriots had a big win this weekend, and it’s got all of us here at Yak thinking about how important sports are to so many in New England, and across the country for that matter. But with all of the die hard sports fans we have here in Boston, we knew no holiday gift guide would be complete without a post about gifts for sports fans.

Sports gifts can be a little bit tricky to buy, because most sports fans – especially Boston sports fans – already have EVERYTHING they could ever want relating to their team. However, if you get creative enough (and are willing to buy something a little ridiculous) you can get even the most dedicated sports fan something that will make them smile. The following are a few of our favorites:

1. The NFL Team Toaster

Let your favorite sports fan start the morning in style with team-branded toast. It may be a little bit silly but the toaster is actually functional, and compact enough to fit in even the smallest kitchens. Find it at http://nfltoaster.com/.

2. The NFL Game Day Cookbook

Not really into all the corny sports memorabilia? Get your game day junkie something functional – and actually kind of classy (well, as classy as you can get when it comes to sports gifts). The NFL Game Day Cookbook is written by acclaimed author Ray (Dr. BBQ) Lampe and contains weeks worth of good game day grub including ribs, wings and other tasty animal appendages. Find it at http://www.drbbq.com/nflcookbook.php.

3. Looking for something a sports fan will enjoy – but not branded by a major league? Go for one of Yak’s cute beanie hats. They come in black, green, grey and pink and are perfect for keeping your head warm both on the field and in the stands.

Don’t forget – there’s still time left to get 25% off all Yak Apparel. Order by October 31^st and use discount code Yak1011 at checkout. Then check back later in the week for our 5^th Holiday Gift Guide post – the Wine Connoisseur.

wool hat with full faux-fur lining

wool hat with full faux-fur lining, a photo by YAK Apparel on Flickr.

Elegant handmade natural wool hat with full faxux-fur lining. This hat is perfect for winter outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snow camping, snow shoeing, hiking, and just stroll in the city. It is really warm because of natural wool and fuzzy faux-fur lining.
You can find these hats at http://YAKapparel.com

Holiday Gift Guide Post #1 – The Foodie

Hello Yak fans! This week we were inspired by the release of the new iPhone4S to start a holiday gift-giving guide that covers all of your weird and wonderful relatives. For each post we’ll choose a category of gift recipient, and recommend both the perfect hat and the perfect gadget for this year’s holiday gift list.
For our first post we’re tackling the foodie. The foodie is the man or woman in your life who not only loves to eat (who doesn’t love to eat?) but also loves to cook, experiment, and play with food and foodie gadgets. I have to admit, I’m kind of a foodie myself – but I have a real aversion to “foodie gadgets.” Ninety-nine percent of them are completely pointless. I mean really, a spiral vegetable cutter? How often do you need to cut your carrots into slinkies?
However, despite the clutter of useless kitchen tools masquerading as “foodie gifts,” I’ve managed to find two cool kitchen gadgets that are worthy of your favorite chef.

1. The Butter Cutter

I absolutely love this gadget. One of my biggest kitchen pet peeves is a melted, messy butter dish – and the Butter Cutter eliminates this problem by slicing individual pats of butter with one easy click. Any true foodie (or kitchen-cleaning mom) will treasure this clever contraption.

butter cutter

2. The Bruce Balcony Grill

The Bruce Balcony Grill is the perfect present for all of your apartment-dwelling foodie friends. It’s a great space saver and looks just like a flower box. You can hook it onto a terrace or railing and enjoy a nice summer BBQ without any of the itchy ants and other grass-dwelling creepy crawlies. Bon Appétit!

balcony grill

And last but not least, every foodie needs a piece of stylish headwear for all of those fall trips to the farmer’s market. We like the Earflap Wool Hat with Tassels for its casual, earthy look – perfect for apple picking and pie making! You can get a 25% discount on every purchase until October 31st, use the promotion code: YAK1011 at the check out.

Earflap wool hat

-Hannah Perlmutter
 http://YAKapparel.com

Thank you Steve Jobs for i-everything

Steve Jobs one of the greatest innovators (1955-2011)

#Apple co-founder Steve Jobs "died peacefully today, surrounded by his family," Jobs' relatives said #stevejobs http://t.co/XjQSc6l3" - @cnnbrk
"Steve Jobs is one of the great innovators in the history of modern capitalism," New York Times columnist Joe Nocera said in August.
President Obama: "Steve was among the greatest of American innovators" #stevejobs http://t.co/xtmwCrtN" - @cnnbrk
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates: "I will miss Steve immensely." #stevejobs http://t.co/xtmwCrtN" - @cnnbrk
Mark Zuckerberg Facebook Page: Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. #stevejobs http://t.co/xtmwCrtN" - @cnnbrk





Thank you Steve Jobs for ieverything.
-YAK Apparel family.
http://YAKapparel.com

Holiday Gift Guide Post #2 – The Fashionista

This week our holiday gift guide is all about the fashionista. Buying for fashion forward friends is always a little bit tricky. You don’t want to buy anything that comes in a size, because we all know what the holiday season can do to a waistline – but gift certificates on the other hand, can be cold and impersonal. So what’s a Yak fan to do? The answer is accessories.
Accessories are one of the hottest trends this season. A good pair of earrings or a stylish bag can turn even jeans and a classic tee into a standout outfit. Some of this season’s most popular accessories include hats, earrings, and handbags for women and ties, watches and hats for men.
Finding the perfect accessory gift is actually a lot easier than you might think, thanks to websites like shoedazzle.com, where a quick style quiz helps you determine your favorite fashionista’s “look” and then recommends accessories that match you style.
For the fashion forward guy in your life – skip back over to yakapparel.com. We’ve got tons of great hats for every guy – from metro to macho. Some of this season’s favorites include the Gray Trapper Hat with Tassels (perfect for a city slicker or stylish skier) and the classic Earflap Wool Hat (which looks good on just about every guy we’ve ever met).

Still a little scared to pick something out for someone so picky about what they wear? Make a gift card more personal by purchasing it from a particular store that you know suits their style – or buy them a fashion related activity like a session with a personal stylist or wardrobe consultant.


http://YAKapparel.com

Holiday Gift Guide Post #3: The Kiddos

We all know who loves holiday gift giving the most. That’s right, the kiddos.
Kids are always the center of holiday celebrations (well, at least the ones that happen before bedtime, and especially the ones that involve unwrapping.) The only problem? Gift giving for kids has gotten out of control. Seriously. Kids these days get more presents than they can count, and with kids toys that can literally drive, fly and crawl out of their boxes – the stakes are high. Really high.
So how do you make an impression without breaking the bank? We’ve got a list of hot holiday gifts (and of course hats) for kids in every age range, from toddler to teenager.
Toddler: For the littlest lovebugs in your life, pick the VTech 3-in-1 Learning Zebra Scooter. It converts from push walker to ride-on scooter so kids can keep using it as they grow, and it’s packed with plenty of fun gadgets in all kinds of colors, shapes and sizes. The best feature? It’s only $50 bucks.
Grade Schooler: Older kids are into interactive toys – so it’s important to find something they can mess around with. The Spy Net Video Watch is a great gift, and it’s only $45 dollars. The watch features a real video camera and microphone so the little munchkins can spy on you after they were supposed to be in bed.

Teenager: Teenagers are definitely old enough to be dressing themselves (at least we hope they are!) so fashion gifts are a no-brainer. Girls will love the cute and fuzzy pink and faux fur trapper from Yak Apparel – and the boys will look totally macho in the gray trapper with tassels – both under $50 bucks.

And don’t forget – if you scoop these hats before October 31^st you can get 25% off! Just enter promotion code YAK1011 at checkout.

http://Shop.YAKapparel.com

http://Shop.YAKapparel.com

New York Fashion Week’s Most Memorable Hats

Here at Yak we’re pretty obsessed with hats. We’re always on the look out for cool new trends and inspiration for our collections – and this week we found a real inspiration gem. Check out this YouTube video that captures the most outrageous hats from New York Fashion week. The pictures aren’t even of models – they’re guests at runway shows!

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GKCKKcVQaE to check it out.

The hats in the video are pretty outrageous, but it’s kind of cool to see just how daring and expressive headwear can be. Even if you’re not ready for that level of fashion experimentation, there are plenty of “tamer” hat styles to play around with this season. According to fashion reporters who were on the scene at New York Fashion Week, many of the guests showed up in fedoras (the season’s most popular style), floppy hats and even turban style headwear.

The rise in popularity of hats could be due to fashion trends, but it could also be out of convenience. After all, hats are the easiest cure for a bad hair day. Fashion writer Bjorn Nasett summed it up perfectly when he said, “I don't believe in bad hair days, I believe in good hats.”

So true, Bjorn. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

-Hannah Perlmutter

http://YAKapparel.com

Make it With Wool Fashion Designer Contest

Here at Yak we’re always on the look out for cool fashion news, especially if it has to do with fabulous hats and warm winter wool. And today we’ve got a great little tidbit for all you aspiring designers out there! Check out the Wool Fashion Design Competition, sponsored by the American Wool Council.

The contest invites all college-level apparel design students (who are at least 17 years old) to create an original design using wool and submit a fabric swatch, a 5×7 photograph of the garment on a model, and a 1-3 minute video of the garment on a model to the National ‘Make It With Wool’ Coordinator.

The designs will be judged on creativity, fit, marketability and workmanship, among other criteria, and the winner of the contest will get a $1000 scholarship and a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona to participate in the national finals fashion show in January!

Sounds pretty good to us! The deadline for submissions is November 1^st, 2011 – so get sewing, and be sure to show us your cool wool designs – you never know, maybe we’ll be inspired to design a new hat!
For more information and submission guidelines for the contest, go to http://www.makeitwithwool.com/fashiondesigncontest.html.

-Hannah Perlmutter

Yak Pre-Season Sale

Tomorrow is the first of September – and you know what that means – summer is coming to an end. But don’t fret, there’s lots to look forward to this fall. For one, fashion week kicks off in New York on September 8^th (get ready to drool over some splurge-worthy leather and fur this season!) and as if that’s not enough, here at Yak we are helping you gear up for winter with a special pre-season hat sale.

Get 25% off ANY purchase at the Yak Apparel online store now through October 31^st, 2011. Use promotion code YAK1011. Get ready for ski season, surprise your sweetie or stock up stylish holiday gifts. Get men’s and women’s trapper hats, beanies, earflap hats and more in super warm wools and fuzzy faux-fur. Choose from fleece lined, faux-fur lined or all natural wool. They’re stylish enough for work, and warm enough for skiing, snowboarding, sledding and snowball fights. What’s not to love?

After gawking at the gorgeous 2011 collection, visit the online store and enter your promotion code at checkout. Then share your favorite hats on Facebook!

Betsey Johnson Brings Her Usual Flair to Fashion Week

Betsey Johnson doing cartwheel on the runday

Every fashionista knows no fashion week would be complete without the 69-year-old cartwheeling design wonder that is Betsey Johnson – and this past Monday’s runway show certainly did not disappoint. Because we were so busy playing with hats over here at Yak, we weren’t able to make it to the show, but we couldn’t help smiling when we watched a few of the clips on YouTube.

In case you missed it – Betsey entertained fans (including singer Nicki Minaj who sat in the front row) with her signature strut down the runway, and then added a little bit of extra spice with a split at the end. She also asked her models to bring balloons out onto the runway for the final walk, and encouraged them to smile – a breath of fresh air in the tight lipped catwalk world.

As usual Johnson’s fashions pushed the boundaries of runway “appropriateness” with skin tight skull corsets and leopard print bras peeking through see-through shirts. But fashion fans have come to expect nothing less from Johnson, who last season had her “real size” store employees walk the runway instead of models.

While here at Yak we’re not sure we’d actually want to wear any of Johnson’s wild outfits, it was certainly a blast to watch clips of her show – and based on her runway rep, we can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Kim Kardashian to Tie the Knot This Weekend

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries

If anybody knows how to throw a good party, it’s the Kardashians – and this weekend they’ll be partying the day (and night) away at Kim’s highly anticipated wedding to New Jersey Nets star Kris Humphrey. The wedding will take place on August 20^th in Montecito, California – and while the details are strictly under wraps, there’s no doubt the black tie affair will be over the top (just like Kim’s 20.5 carat engagement ring).

Rumors say the wedding will cost the couple somewhere in the 10 million dollar range, with a guest list of almost a thousand.

While the bride to be hasn’t revealed many details about the nuptials, there have been some images floating around of the invitations. They were designed by Lehr and Black, and are covered in hundreds of black hematite crystals.

Reports of a strict dress code have also been surfacing – guests have been asked to wear either black or white attire, with no exceptions. The non-traditional dress code has led to speculation that Kim will not wear a traditional white dress. No surprise there – Kim’s style is anything but traditional.

If Kim does indeed opt for a colored dress, she’ll join a colorful clique of other non-traditional celebrity brides including Reese Witherspoon (she wore pink), Sarah Jessica Parker (she wore black) and Elizabeth Taylor (she wore yellow).

For more details on Kim’s wedding planning, you can check out her blog, kimkardashian.celebuzz.com/blog.

-Hannah Perlmutter

See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October 2011. Or fill out the form and put “first 500″ in the subject line .

New York Artists Get Naked on Wall Street

a demonstrator stripping on wall street

This past Monday morning was anything but mundane for Wall Street passerby. A group of more than 50 performance artists stripped down in the street to express their desire for greater transparency in financial markets. The performance, titled “Ocularpation: Wall Street” was put together by Zefrey Throwell, and was inspired by his 65-year-old mother’s return to work after losing her retirement savings during the 2008 market crash.

“I came up with this as an educational project to help illuminate the mysterious wheels of Wall St.,” Throwell told reporters. “It’s not just a strip tease.”

Strip-tease or not – the performance ended in three arrests for disorderly conduct.

“It was pretty hard to keep a straight face,” said Eric Clinton Anderson, 32, one the artists who ended up in handcuffs. “I think it’s pretty interesting Wall Street guys can do what they’ve done and nobody goes to jail.”

According to witnesses, the arrests happened after the 5-minute rehearsed performance was over with, and all of the participants had re-dressed.

“I thought they’d just yell at us and call us weird,” said Anderson. Unfortunately for the artists, the police had other plans.

“I’ve got bigger fish to fry,” said Throwell when asked for his opinion on the arrests. “[Those fish] being the financial institutions of the US and the world.”

Whether or not the performance achieved Throwell’s goal of garnering greater transparency on Wall Street remains to be seen – but it certainly brightened the day of a few New Yorkers making their way to work that morning.

“It was like out of a…movie,” said surprised street vendor Ali Wafaa, 27. “I wish New York City would always be like that.”

-Hannah Perlmutter

See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October 2011. Or fill out the form and put “first 500″ in the subject line .

This Summer White Isn’t Just for Weddings

Demi and Ashton in summer white dress

Summer is wedding season, but even if you’re not ready to get hitched, there’s plenty of reasons to wear white this August. The bright, classic color may not be as slimming as its midnight counterpart, but it’s plenty sexy, and nice and cool during the simmering summer months.

One of the most daring ways to wear white is on the bottom. While white pants or capris can be less than flattering on anyone above a size zero, if you find the right pair – in the right size, it can be a great beachy look. When searching for the perfect pair of white bottoms, look for a quality material such as a heavy (non see-thru) jean or high quality woven linen. Higher quality materials will prevent the pants from wearing thin, and showing any imperfections underneath. They will also provide more defined lines to shape your figure. Pair white pants with flirty wedges or bright colored stilettos.

If you’re still not sold on the white pants, go for a figure flattering white jacket. You can pair it with almost any other color, and the brightness of the jacket will make the outfit pop – and you look tanner.
Another option is the white mini-dress – an outfit that’s been extremely popular among celebs this summer. You can dress it up with heels, or make it more casual by pairing it with a cute pair of flip flops.

And don’t be afraid to keep wearing your white wardrobe into the fall and winter. The “no white after labor day” rule is a thing of the past. Try a white pashmina paired with a cropped jacket for the fall, or a faux fur white hat during ski season.

For more ways to wear white this winter, check out the elegant pink trapper hats lined with a gorgeous white faux fur at yakapparel.com.

-Hannah Perlmutter

See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October 2011. Or fill out the form and put “first 500″ in the subject line .

Kathryn Stockett’s Best Selling Novel ‘The Help’ Arrives in Theaters This Week

The cast of "The Help," from left: Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

This Wednesday Kathryn Stockett’s 2009 best selling novel The Help arrives in theaters. The timing of the premiere is unusual for such a sincere and potentially award-worthy film – usually the summer releases are reserved for hundred-million dollar blockbusters featuring cowboys and aliens and hot chicks with super powers – not book-turned-movies directed and produced by the author’s childhood friend. However, despite the rookie producer and untraditional release date, early reviews indicate The Help is poised to be a brilliant success.

The Help stars Emma Stone as Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, a college graduate returned to her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi who finds herself unable to fulfill her mother’s ‘southern belle’ expectations. She questions the racism that defines her southern society, and begins writing a book from the perspective of black domestics in her neighborhood.

The friendships, arguments, excitements and disappointments that ensue take the viewer on an entertaining and emotional ride through the civil war era south.

When Stockett’s novel was released in 2009, it faced significant skepticism regarding a white author’s ability to portray a black women’s perspective. However, fans of the novel were not deterred by critic’s skepticism. The Help has been on the best seller list since the day it was published – over 100 weeks in a row.

Stone, who plays the role of ’Skeeter’ in the film, believes the book is so popular because it’s more than a story about racism and the civil war era. It’s also a story about friendship, kinship and compassion. “It is a story about three women coming together to make an incredibly, extraordinary positive change in the world,” she says. “I think that’s why so many people related to the book. That’s why I related to the book because these characters felt like human beings. When the book is over, you cry not only because the story is so beautiful, but because you miss your friends.”
If that’s not reason enough to escape the summer heat and make a trip to the movie theater, I’m not sure what is.

-Hannah Perlmutter

See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October 2011. Or fill out the form and put “first 500″ in the subject line .

Male Models Stand Up (and Strip Down) for Charity

Male models striped down in NYC for charity last year

We’ve had a few pretty hot weeks in Boston this summer – but Next Tuesday (August 2^nd) it’s about to get even hotter. Men’s Wearhouse is releasing their male models into the streets – and then stripping them down – for charity of course. The models will be wearing next to nothing – just a tie, boxers and socks – and will hold signs saying “Give the Suit Off Your Back” in an effort to encourage business minded Bostonions to donate their gently used work attire to charity.

The donated suits and other professional attire will be distributed by Men’s Wearhouse to local charities such as Tailored for Success and St. Francis House/Studio Shine, who will in turn provide the clothing to unemployed jobseekers needing a confidence boost, or a new look for an interview. Last year, the nationwide drive brought in 88,593 items of clothing, including more than 20,000 suits.

The Men’s Wearhouse National Suit Drive is part of a larger movement by the fashion industry to encourage charitable donations, and make luxury fashion items more accessible to the general public. Organizations such as The Heart of CAbi and Fashion Delivers™ are examples of other foundations that work to empower the disenfranchised and bring quality clothing to the less fortunate.

Yak Apparel believes in the power of giving back as well, which is why we manufacture the vast majority of our elegant trapper hats in Nepal, a country working to build it’s fair-wage economy and maintain a fledgling democracy.

-Hanna Perlmutter

See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October 2011.

Amy Winehouse Joins the Ill-Fated 27 Club and Leaves Music Fans an Unexpected Gift

Singer Amy Winehouse

This past weekend has been a somber one, what with the terror attacks in Norway, and the death of famed British music star Amy Winehouse.

Winehouse’s unexpected, yet not completely surprising passing gained her entrance into an elite and rather ill-fated “club” of musicians known as the “27 Club.” Members of the 27 Club include Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain – all of whom passed away (read: self-destructed?) in their 27^th year.

Winehouse, known for her larger-than-life beehive hairdo and exaggerated cat eye makeup suffered from a very public struggle with drugs and alcohol, one that had been ongoing for many years. However, fans suggest that in recent months her addiction may have been getting worse. She was booed off the stage in Belgrade after arriving late to the show, and failed to remember her own lyrics once she finally got to the microphone. She immediately canceled her next two shows in Istanbul and Athens, and then just over a month later was found dead in her apartment, presumably due to a drug overdose.

While Winehouse’s death is both a tragedy, and a jarring reminder of the darkness of drug addiction, her passing has also helped to bring new life to the music industry. Just two days before her death Winehouse attended the iTunes Festival in London, and made a cameo appearance to draw attention to her so-called goddaughter, 15-year-old soul singer Dionne Bromfield. Winehouse’s passing just days later spawned a media flurry around the performance, and helped center the spotlight on Dionne – a spectacularly talented teenager well-deserving of the newfound attention.

As Bromfield’s career progresses it becomes clear that Winehouse’s cameo at the iTunes Festival was no mistake – it was her last gift to fans. A new voice, a new day, a new star.

-Hanna Perlmutter

See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October 2011.

No Trophy but Plenty of Fame for Team USA’s Alex Morgan and Hope Solo

Alex Morgan and Hope Solo (L-R)

  The US women’s soccer team may have lost the World Cup to Japan last Sunday, but for star striker Alex Morgan and beloved goalie Hope Solo, the party is far from over. The glamorous duo posed for photographs at the premiere of the final season of Entourage on Tuesday, after being invited by television star Jeremy Piven.

Solo put any outlandish rumors to rest about a possible crush on Piven’s part, when she responded to media inquiries about the invitation by saying “he must be a soccer fan.”

While the classically pretty pair took some heat for their hippy inspired maxi dresses at the premiere, it hasn’t seemed to deter the slew of marriage proposals and date requests from smitten fans. Numerous facebook pages have been devoted to the stunning soccer stars, including one consisting solely of marriage proposals for the rumored-to-be-single Hope Solo. Morgan, on the hand, is definitively taken – by her long time boyfriend and fellow soccer star Servando Carrasco. Sorry boys.

In addition to their “celebrity” appearance at the Entourage premiere, Hope Solo and teammate Abby Wambach joined David Letterman on the Late Show for some good natured jesting.

Letterman teased Solo that based on her outfit (a dress) and her position as goalkeeper, he wasn’t sure she could actually kick. The teasing resulted in a shootout of sorts where Solo and Wambach attempted to kick soccer balls into the open doors of passing taxi cabs. One reporter commented, “he’s (Letterman) luckily she didn’t lay one upside his head.”

It’s difficult to say how long the fame will last for America’s soccer sweethearts, but for the sake of women’s soccer in the United States, let’s hope the hype continues at least for a good while.  -Hanna Perlmutter See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October.

Demi Moore Travels to Nepal to Fight Human Trafficking

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher speaking about DNA at Clinton Global initiative

This past June Demi Moore traveled to Nepal with CNN’s Freedom Project to shoot a documentary film about the plight of women and children in Nepal forced into prostitution and sex slavery.
Nepal, the country of origin for much of the wool used in Yak head-wear, is a popular tourist destination for adventure seekers, hikers and history buffs. However, the scenic and historic country is also a popular destination for something much less beautiful – human trafficking.

During her 5-day visit to the Himalayan country, Moore visited with a small, yet passionate organization dedicated to protecting Nepalese women and girls from forced prostitution and sex slavery. Maiti Nepal, which translates roughly to “Mother’s Home” aims to prevent human trafficking over the Nepalese border into India. The organization operates at 10 of the 26 border crossings in Nepal, and intercepts an average of 20 potential sex slaves each day.

Part way through her visit, Moore met with the organization’s founder, Anuradha Koirala, a 62-year old former school teacher who won the CNN Hero of the Year Award in 2010, and appeared in a joint press conference to help raise awareness about the organization and its work. Moore also met with many of the women the organization has helped throughout its 20-year history, and participated in the filming of a documentary that hopes to share their stories. Back in the USA, Moore continues to fight against sexual slavery through the work of her and her husband’s charity, The Demi and Ashton (DNA) Foundation.

Here at Yak Apparel, we are joining the fight against human trafficking by working with Maiti Nepal to help provide fair-wage employment for women who have been victims of sexual slavery, or who are at risk of being targeted by traffickers. Being able to earn a living wage greatly reduces a women’s risk of being exploited by traffickers, and Yak apparel is proud of its efforts to collaborate with Anuradha to employ the women they serve in the manufacturing of Yak hats.
For more information about Maiti Nepal and the fight against human trafficking in the Himalayan region, visit www.maitinepal.org.

-Hanna Perlmutter

See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October.

Japan Wins FIFA World Cup Women’s Soccer final

Congratulations Japan!  Japan wins its first women's world cup by defeating the US in penalty shootouts. Great saves by the goalkeeper, Kaihori. Congratulations!!!!

Also, a great play by Team USA.  Good goals by Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach.  Team USA demonstrated awesome energy and creativity.  The game would have belonged to the US had it not been for the number of unlucky misses.


See elegant trapper hats and other best winter hats at YAKapparel.com. To qualify for a $10 discount in any one purchase, register today and become one of the first 500 members between July and October.