2009 WITH LOVE FROM VIENNA;

• A new approach to hats
• A journey from the past into the future
• Loving attention to detail
• Unlimited creativity
• A combination of luxurious high fashion and swanky design with handmade artistry

Continuing a long family tradition spanning four generations before her, Barbara Habig will present a new line of high-end hats based on these elements.

The spring/summer collection 09 is an interpretation of timeless and casual luxury, inspired by the sun, summer, passion and a longing for seemingly endless waters, combined with treasures found while style-searching the company-owned Habig Hut archives. These archives include hats dating from 1865 to 2007, e.g. various bowler hats from around 1900, hats worn by Austrian generals around 1898, the hat of a wedding dancer (wedding riccasoli, Italy, 4th century) and other rarities. Fine materials (e.g. straw, cleverly combined with sophisticated patent leather) reflect youthful elegance with a sense for the practical, the spirit of travel and adventure and the anticipation of encounters on the world’s most beautiful beaches.

The collection’s style is characterised by a strongly masculine design, animating and responding to the masculine in the feminine as well as the feminine in the masculine. Designs are harmonious, clean-cut and simple, combined with love of detail, especially with a historical touch. The hats are multi-functional as well as elegant and chic.

This exquisite and swanky Habig Hut collection’s signature is a mixture of exclusive and flamboyant, extremely light and fine materials – straw with patent leather, straw with crocodile leather, ostrich leather – as well as a combination of linen and leather. Every hat is an expression of an extraordinary joie de vivre, quality and individuality.

Materials have been selected to allow for high wearing comfort: most models can be conveniently tucked into your bag or your luggage so that your must-have accessory will be your perfect companion in your busy life.

The collection’s unmistakable signature unites elegance, liveliness, quality and individualism. The combination of clear-cut design paired with flamboyant materials is highlighted by colors used in this collection, which are mostly light, delicate and ethereal (smoke, beige, light green), complemented by details in strong colors (aurora red, kiwi, purple) as well as elements in dusty colors (tobacco, grey, grass-green). The collection was designed in Vienna and manufactured in Germany with carefully selected materials.

Habig hats looks back on a long tradition of excellence. The Habig family is originally from Freiburg and its family history goes back to the year 1550. Peter Habig moved to Vienna in 1853. He served his 5-year-apprenticeship as a hat maker and became a journeyman. Back then, a single apprentice worked at Habig's small hat shop. From 1865 onwards, his brother Carl assisted him in the workshop, where they exclusively manufactured silk hats as well as the then much sought-after "Chemisse Galett" hats. Having received the award “Hors concours Juror” at the Vienna World Exposition (1873) was an important turning point in their career and eventually brought about the establishment of Habig as an international brand.

Peter Habig 1.,who had been named purveyor to the Court of emperor Franz Joseph I. as well as purveyor by appointment to the emperor himself, also became the purveyor to the Court of the empress of Germany, Auguste Viktoria as well as to the Court of Frederick Leopold Prince of Prussia. He also supplied the Courts of King Edward VII. of England, the kings of Greece, Georg I. and Serbia, Peter I. as well as the grand duke of Luxemburg, Wilhelm IV. In the society of back then, it was considered good form to wear a "Habig hat".

The above-mentioned awards and success at international expositions contributed to the worldwide recognition of the brand (please see enclosed brochure). The construction of the so-called "Habig-Hof" (the "Habig Court") in Vienna in 1896 marked the peak of the company's expansion.

Details: Mag. Barbara Habig; Mafed

(born 1975 in Vienna – Austria) Entirely dedicated to luxurious high fashion, fine arts as well as Italian, French and Austrian design after earning a master's degree (MAFED; SDA Bocconi Milan, Italy) as well as a degree at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration in Austria. Barbara Habig launched her new line of high-end hats in 2006 after having gained extensive experience while working with internationally renowned high fashion designers.