Tip your cap to it

AMERICAN ACCESSORIES brand New Era brings a new twist to Bangkok’s street fashion scene with the launch of its first outlet in Thailand at Bangkok’s trendy Siam Center. 
German immigrant Ehrhardt Koch set up New Era in 1920 using his 18 years of experience working with John Miller Cap Company to create a new range of headwear. He starting by producing 60,000 Gatsby-style fashion caps a year and in 1934, his brand hit the big time thanks to a series of unconventional baseball caps specially designed for the Cleveland Indians team.
In the 1940s Koch again made the headlines, this time with elastic-backed, adjustable caps that were ideal for sport fans. By 1950, New Era was the only independent cap maker supplying caps to big league baseball teams such as the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers.
In 1993, New Era, now in the capable hands of the fourth generation family member Chris Koch, signed a blockbuster deal with MLB becoming the exclusive supplier of on-field caps for the League.
The brand has since expanded its line to include fashion apparel and accessories, and its collections are sold in more than 80 countries. Bangkok is the latest Asian nation to sport its own shop after successful entries into Hong Kong, Philippines, South Korea and Japan. 
Located on the second floor, it is operated by Bangkok Sportswear, which has produced tailor-made apparel for Nike and Wilson for many years. The newly opened branch is simply furnished with wooden shelves and tables boasting caps with more than 300 graphics, sports team logos and favourite cartoon characters. 
“Our chief executive officer sees the potential for New Era in Thailand. We have selected 300 of the 5,000 designs in the company’s catalogue and will be presenting a special collection every month,” says sales manager Chotanan Obchoey.
“The brand is famous for virtual low-relief embellishments, inspired by sports team logos.”
 The caps are categorised into four series with sizes starting from Number 6 (54 centimetres). The 59 Fifty is a fitted cap, the free-size 9 Fifty and 9 Forty designs are equipped with an adjustable snapback and the 39 Thirty line comes in two sizes, small-medium and medium-large. 
Made from wool, polyester and corduroy to provide flexibility and comfort, the caps have an adaptable plastic brim that doesn’t bend out of shape. 
This month, the Geological Survey collection is in the spotlight, offering an astonishing graphic print of mines, as well as such popular cartoon characters as the Simpsons, Captain Hook and Mickey Mouse.
Another best-selling series is the Reflective white cap line, which fluoresces under a flashlight. Sports fans will love the team logo designs that include Boston, NY Yankees, NY Mets, Oakland, Houston, Cleveland, Baltimore and Manchester United. The prices range from Bt1,390 to Bt1,790. 
The store also offers a free New Era Cap Blocking Machine that will revive your old cap and give it new life.
  

HEADS HAVE IT
>>New Era is on the second floor of Siam Center. It’s open daily from 10 to 10. 
>>Call (02) 862 0790-4 or check out Facebool.com/NewEraThailand.