Collectors Corner with Simon Treese

     In this edition of Collectors Corner, here on The Fitted Diaries, we feature a great collector and cap designer from Europe. Simon Treese, whom is perhaps better know by his alias "Hat Hunter 09", took some time to answer a few questions about his collection and the German cap culture. 

TFD: Where are you from?

ST: I come from Eiweiler, Germany. It is a very small town near the French border.

TFD: What size fitted do you wear?

ST: Normally, I wear 7 1/2. Sometimes, due to materials, I wear 7 5/8.

TFD: What was your very first fitted?

ST: I am not sure because I bought my first one about 16 or 17 years ago. I think it was a Yankees fitted. Yankees fitteds are the most popular hats in Germany, I would guess. I have been collecting hats since I was a child, but I started specializing in New Era hats just about two or three years ago.

TFD: How large is your collection currently?

ST: I'm not quite sure, but I think I have around 105-110 fitteds at the moment. Due to pending orders I don't know the exact number.

TFD: What is the fitted culture like in Germany?

ST: I think there are more people collecting and wearing snap-backs, but I also think there are a lot of fitted freaks in some of the bigger towns in Germany. I know some people who are as crazy as I am. I think they are all in the Capaddicts Facebook group. 

TFD: You're the designer of the now renowned "Hat Hunter" cap that has been circulating the fitted community. What served as the inspiration for the unique design?

ST: I am always on the prowl for new fitteds. Therefore, I am wearing a trapper hat. I chose a stars and stripes outfit because I love the USA. I've visited the USA a few times. I am wearing a baseball glove (in the logo) because my favorite caps are usually MLB and MiLB fitteds.

TFD: Do you ever plan on working on another design?

ST: Not at the moment. I am considering making a second "Diamond Hat Hunter" version, though. 

TFD: What is your favorite sport? do you have many fitteds from that sport?

ST: As a German, my favorite sport is soccer. I am a big Borussia Dortmund supporter. Unfortunately, there are not that many fitteds for soccer. I mostly collect MiLB and MLB hats, but also some from other sports like  the NHL, the NBA, or the NFL.  

TFD: What are your current "holy grail" pieces that you wish to add to your collection?

ST: The "'MERICA" 59Fifty released for the 4th of July last year, and the "I got 99 problems" fitted.

TFD: Where do you do the majority of your shopping for New Era Caps?

ST: Lids, New Era Europe, and New Era U.S. Sometimes hatland.com or myfitteds.com. I know very nice guys who always visit the New Era Flagship stores in Berlin and Toronto for me. Thanks to James and Norbert!

TFD: What is your favorite cap of all time?

ST: Of course my own designed "Hat Hunter" fitted, because it is my very own logo, and it is strictly limited. Thanks for all the guys who had the confidence to buy one from me.

TFD: If people want to find and follow you via social media where should they look?

ST: My Instagram is hathunter09. You can also find me on Facebook when you look for Simon Treese. I also have a Twitter account, but I don't use it often. Twitter is not very popular in Germany. 

     Thank you, Simon. Stay fitted, my friend.

-Matt Aballi

Twitter: @MattAballi

Instagram: matt_aballi

Collectors Corner with Dionic Danny

     For most of us in the fitted community, the ultimate goal is to one day create your own 59Fifty; not in the sense of the generic offereings of NewEraCap.com in it's customization opportunities, but to 100% make a fitted the way you'd like it to look, with your logos and designs. That may be one of the more unlikely goals for many, but for one it has come to fruition. 

     Today, we feature a collector and designer from The Netherlands. Dionic Danny, as he is known in the New Era world, has been dropping jaws with his classic artwork for some time now.  After you really take a minute to fully absorb the simplistic glory of his work via the fitted, we may all begin to refer to him as the true Dutch Master. 

TFD: What is your name and where are you from? 

DD: Hi. My name is Danny and I'm from Almere, in The Netherlands.

TFD: What size New Era Cap do you wear?

DD: My fitted size is 7 1/2

TFD: How long have you been collecting fitted caps?

DD: I ordered my first New Era cap on March 26th, 2011 (Thank you PayPal history!), so I've been collecting for three years, now.

TFD: What is the fitted culture like in The Netherlands?

DD: Plain. It's dominated by simple sports caps. That's why I like entertainment caps and all-over caps, because when I wear those I know I stand out from the crowd.

TFD: You're an artist. What originally sparked your interest in puting designs on New Era 59Fifty caps?

DD: I never really had a medium to put my designs out into the world. When I got into collecting 59Fifty caps, it became a dream to have one of those caps with one of my designs on it!

TFD: You are the creator of the now renowned "Fire Ant" and "Octo" caps. What was the inspiration behind those?

DD: "Octo" was the first because I've always had a sort of fascination with tentacles; they're easy to identify when you think of symbols/silhouettes. 

The "Fire Ant" was just me having a bit of fun thinking of what could look cool on a cap!

TFD: Will there ever be any re-productions of those, for sale?

DD: I've got an alternate "Octo" in my queue as well as three new "Fire Ant" caps; one alternate colorway, one alternate design, and one variant.

TFD: What is the next step for you in fitted design?

DD: More designs! I have a few caps planned out; only one of those is a re-run (but a different colorway). So, if you manage to get a cap I designed, you'll be sure to know it's a collectors item, due to the extremely limited availability. 

TFD: What is your favorite fitted cap of all time?

DD: Wow, that is a great question. After thinking about 15 minutes and trying to come up with an answer, I just have to say that I honestly can't pick a favorite. There are just so many great fitteds out there, that are great for various reasons. 

TFD: Do you have a favorite shop that you would call your "go-to" for all your fitted needs?

DD: Not really. I do a lot of my purchasing on eBay, because I have family in America that is always helping me out with that stuff; this way, I can get caps that aren't available here, and even save a few bucks. In The Netherlands, you can always go to a Go-Britain store to pick up a fresh sports fitted.

TFD: Is there a "holy grail", in terms of a cap you can't find but absolutely need?

DD: Yeah. I have a few, actually. Top 3 are the TRON Legacy Helmet, TRON Legacy all-over sketch, and the Alice In Wonderland all-over sketch. I already own the Thor, Avengers, and The Dark Knight Rises sketch caps, so I'd love to get the other two, as well.

TFD: What, to you, makes your collection great?

DD: The all-overs set it apart from most collections you'd find. That, and the caps I designed myself, of course! It always reminds me of the community that has always supported me. Without the community, I wouldn't have made it past the "Octo" design!

TFD: If the readers want to follow you and your designs in the future, where can they find you on social media?

DD: I'm on Instagram and Twitter @dionicdesign, and on Facebook as Dionic Danny. 

Thanks again, to Danny. It was a really fun Q and A. Hopefully everyone here got as much out of it as I did. 

Stay fitted.

-Matt Aballi

Twitter: @MattAballi

Instagram: matt_aballi

Collectors Corner with James Hummel

     Today's collector, from the Great White North, is none other than James Hummel. Aside from being the father of the two little guys in the picture above, he is also an avid fitted collector from the outskirts of Toronto. Take a couple of minutes to get to know another great member of our fitted community.

TFD: Where are you from/where do you currently reside?

 JH: I'm from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where I have lived all my life. I actually live in a city just East, but I work in downtown Toronto.

TFD: What size 59Fifty New Era Cap do you wear?

JH: 7 5/8

TFD: What originally opened your eyes to the fine stylings of New Era Caps?

JH: I've always enjoyed wearing "what the pros wear". I started to see all these great MiLB logos and then discovered all of these other non-sport/baseball hats from companies. It just made sense that I could wear all of these great logos and graphic designs on a hat. Most importantly, I love fitteds!

TFD: Growing up, what sports interested you the most?

JH: First and foremost, baseball. I was born the year the Blue Jays started (1977) and I have grown up with the team. Since I'm Canadian, I also enjoy hockey. In the last 15 years, I've also become a big fan of auto racing (mostly F1).

TFD: What teams did you find yourself rooting for?

JH: All the Toronto teams; Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, and raptors.

TFD: How many New Era's do you currently own?

JH: I currently have 68, with seven on the way; that number has grown dramatically in the last 12 months!

TFD: What was your first New Era fitted and do you still have it?

JH: So, funny enough, my first 59Fifty wasn't even a Blue Jays cap. It was a Cleveland Indians cap. I went with my grandparents on a bus trip to see the Jays play the Indians, in Cleveland. I thought that it would be cool to collect the home team's cap for every MLB stadium I visited; kind of a different souvenir of places I visited. 

     I still have the hat; it sits proudly with my others. It is actually in really good shape, as I wore it infrequently, as I wanted to keep it clean. I can't wear it now, as it is two sizes too small. I'm afraid of stretching it up to my current size, because of it's age.

TFD: Did you play any sports growing up?

JH: I played baseball for most of my childhood. In high school, I swam competitively and tried my hand at rugby. In my twenties, I paddled in Dragon Boat. 

TFD: Where do you do the majority of your New Era shopping?

JH: So, working in downtown Toronto, I'm really lucky for where I am located. I am less than a ten minute walk from the New Era Flagship store (shout-out to Adam); I also have two Lids stores close by (one i pass everyday commuting on the train). I also buy online at Lids.ca and HatClub.com.

TFD: Your alter-ego, of sorts, is Disney North. Do you have many Disney X New Era collaborations?

JH: With an online name like Disneynorth, I'm obviously a big Disney fan. I've had that name for about 18 years, now. I collect a lot of Disney stuff. Ironically, I do not own even one Disney X New Era hat. That is about to change. Three of the seven that I have on the way are Disney!; very excited about those.

     The Disney hats that were released last year (Steamboat Willie Redux) were not all that appealing. I'm still on the fence about buying them. I do have a bunch of Disney strap-backs that I bought at Walt Disney World. 

TFD: Are there any fitteds that you're searching for, that you'd considder your holy grail, that our readers may be able to help you out with?

JH: There are a few. I still need the gray Jays alternate hat from the early 2000's. I'm also looking for the Cherry Coke hat that was released in Europe, some years ago. Lastly, the Jay-Z X Yankees hat, also from some time ago. 

TFD: What is your favorite fitted in your collection?

JH: Hard to narrow it down to just one. Probably my Blue Jays X OVO/Drake caps that were released last summer. Those two hats were what really got me collecting more.

TFD: You are also one of the members of the Facebook group "Team Fitted". What has the group taught you about the fitted culture and community?

JH: I've been a collector of many things in my lifetime: comic books, baseball cards, Coca-Cola bottles, and Disney stuff, of course. I've found the members of the fitted community to be extremely helpful. I've never seen so many people help each other out so willingly. All the other collecting communities are so cut-throat. That's why I am always getting hats for others. We have to keep the good karma going. 

     The Facebook group is a really good gang. We are always posting caps and joking about hats; lots of fun.

TFD: In this day and age, social media reigns king. Where can the readers find you if interested?

JH: @disneynorth for both Twitter and Instagram.

TFD Lastly, how would you define your collection? / What quality makes it special to you?

JH: Obviously, Blue Jays fitteds are my passion. I love picking up the Authentic Collection on-field caps and any limited editions. I also like picking up any special Authentic Collection caps with side patches from other 

teams. 

     Aside from that, I always keep an eye out for fitteds with different logos and graphics, be it from MiLB teams or boutique hat shops; with my first three Disney fitteds on the way, my collection may take an entire new direction!

     James, along with being perhaps the biggest Disney fan I've ever met, is incredibly helpful when on the hunt for a cap. Recently, he assisted in the search for a certaint Canadian Football League cap, otherwise absent from the U.S. market. 

     Thank you, and stay fitted, James.

-Matt Aballi

Twitter: @MattAballi

Instagram: matt_aballi 

Collectors Corner with Alessandro Belvedere

     Some people are credited as to wearing their heart on their sleeve. One, such as our guest this week, wears it on his neck. The 59Fifty love runs deep in todays collector, from a certain British Overseas Territory.

     Alessandro Belvedere is not only a collector of the 59Fifty New Era Cap, but a distributor to the masses. Mr. Belvedere is single-handedly spreading the culture, that we all share, to the public of a group of islands, East of the United States. Now, allow yourself to get to know another great personality in our community. 

TFD: Where are you from? / Where do you currenty reside?

AB: I'm from and reside on the island of Bermuda

TFD: What size New Era Cap do you wear?

AB: I wear a 7 1/2 or a 7 5/8. I considdered growing my hair out once, but then realized that less and less hats were fitting me. I just couldn't sacrifice them, so I went back to a bald fade, quickly.

TFD: Do you remember what your first New Era Cap was?

AB: My first fitted was an NBA Eastern Conference all-over fitted. It was red and had all the logos of the Eastern Conference teams on it.

TFD: How large is your New Era 59Fifty collection, currently?

AB: Currently, it's sitting at 107, but I'm on a trip and I'm sure I will be adding to that. What I tend to do when I travel is take one fitted with me, and I also take an empty New Era hard-case hat holder, that I'll fill up. I went a bit overboard the last time I was in New York City, and ended up having to buy a second case.

TFD: What originally caught your eye, in terms of appeal to the 59Fifty?

AB: I always liked how clean and tidy the fitteds looked. Whether you're wearing a t-shirt, a football (soccer) jersey, or a button-up shirt, you can rock it with anything. 

TFD: What would you say is your favorite cap in your collection, and for what reason?

AB: My favorite fitted is my black Yankees fitted. It has the Yankees logo filled with cubic zirconias. I got it as a gift from my brother, when he went on a trip to Miami.

TFD: Being in Bermuda, what sports do you considder yourself a fan of, and what teams do you follow?

AB: With Bermudians, football (soccer) is like a religion. My team is A.C. Milan. I've been a fan for over twenty years. It was my dad's team, and I will keep that tradition going in my family. 

     I like basketball and baseball, as well, but I'm more of an NBA Finals/World Series type of person. It's pretty cool though, when it comes to collecting hats, as I'm tied to any major sport teams that New Era produces caps for. 

TFD: You started a small business named "Fittedz", exclusively providing New Era Caps to the good people of Bermuda, pimarily by way of Instagram. How's that been going for you?

AB: At first, business was going really well; I couldn't keep hats in stock. Unfortunately, my supplier went out of business. I'm currently looking for a new one, so if anyone out there knows of any leads, please feel free to pass on their information. 

TFD: "Fittedz" offers island-wide delivery. That's a pretty unique feature. Do people tend to appreciate that option?

AB: People really appreciate it. I mean, it's a small island, but they love the convenience of being able to comment on a picture on Instagram, or sending me a WhatsApp message, and getting their hat as soon as possible. I remember, one night, it was about one in the morning, and one of my friends had been at a house party, telling people about "Fittedz". He called me up asking if I would pass through, with what I had in stock. So, I loaded up my two New Era hat bags, like the big ones that hold 25 each, and went. I got to the party, made a couple of sales, and a lot of connections. I have a hustlers mentality; unfortunately, I just can't say no to money. Haha.

TFD: Do you plan on expanding the business to a website or store-front location?

AB: I've always wanted to expand "Fittedz" into something more, whether it was selling Jordans as well, or other trending accessories. I've considered a store-front, but I think I would probably lean more towards the whole online store/app world, once I get it all on track. 

TFD: What is the fitted culture like in Bermuda?

AB: The culture is thriving. For an island that only has a population of 65,000 people, there are a lot of fitted-heads. It ranges from your average person who has one or two fitteds, to collectors like myself. The one constant is that almost everyone has a classic navy blue fitted. 

     The only thing we are missing is New Era tapping into the football club market. If they made Milan, Real Madrid, or Manchester United hats, they would sell very well, here. Bermudians love to match a hat to their football jersey, on the weekend. I find the culture here mirrors the hip-hop culture of the states, a lot more than the culture of some Caribbean islands. 

TFD: Are there any 59Fifty caps out there that you missed out on the first time around, and would consider your "Holy Grail"?

AB: My "Holy Grail" is a hat that was once at the New Era Flagship Store in New York City. It had "HATER" across the front, with a broken heart representing the "A". If anyone can find me one in a 7 1/2, I'll be indebted to you forever.

TFD: You and I are both in the Facebook group accurately dubbed "Team Fitted". What are your thoughts on our fitted-collectors community, and the fitted community as a whole?

AB: I think what's been done with "Team Fitted" is absolutely amazing. I stumbled across the whole community on Instagram, one day last year, when I had searched the "fitteds" hashtag. I came across Alex's and Ramiro's profiles, with their #FOTD posts; from one follow, to two, to three, to about 30 or 40, I've now connected with a lot of guys from all over the world. 

     I've traded hats and all sorts of things. To be honest, you feel comfortable with these guys and know you wont be getting screwed over. There is a sense of trust amongst us, like a family would have. Everyone is always trying to help one another. It's really a unique experience in this day and age, with so many shady people around. I'd love to see it continue to grow. I just wouldn't like to see it turn into how the whole Jordan community is. I think we keep our style a little more unique.

TFD: If people want to follow you, in terms of social media, where can you and your business be found?

AB: You can find me personally on Instagram @441fittedking, and on Twitter @_mrbelvedere_. "Fittedz" is on Instagram @fittedz_bda. I look forward to connecting with more people from all over the world, through the fitted community. 

TFD: Anything else you'd like to add?

AB: I'd like to give a shout-out to Andrew Mitchell, who was part of CrewEra '13. I had the honor to meet up with him in Toronto, in November. He linked me with one of his custom fitteds; the whole day was a ball. 

     Thank you, Alessandro. It really is amazing to see how far the love for New Era Caps ranges, all over the world. In the past month, The Fitted Diaries has covered collectors from the United States, England, Canada, and Bermuda. Where will our next Q and A come out of? The only way to find out is to stay tuned. Thanks again for reading.

Matt Aballi

Twitter: @MattAballi

Instagram: @matt_aballi

Collectors Corner with Mike Perri

     What you see above, may be the sweetest cake ever created. Not literally, well perhaps; but more in the sense of it's payment of homage to the 59/50 New Era Cap, in dessert form. The carefully crafted pastry item was what caught my eye, and ignited a connection of a similar hobbies with Mike Perri, of Canada.

     Mike has also recently found the spotlight through the various forms of the New Era Cap social media extensions, with his carefully organized display of his cap collection, seen below. (It has over 20,000 likes on facebook.) If those two assets aren't enough to draw your attention to the following interview, there's no hope for you.

TFD: Where are you from?

MP: I was born, raised, and still reside in Thorold, Ontario, Canada. It's a small city of 18,000 right near Niagra Falls.


TFD: What size New Era Cap do you wear?

MP: I wear 7 1/4 now a days, but will either go down or up a size if I can't pass up a specific cap.


TFD: Do you remember what your first New Era Cap was?

MP: My first New Era Cap was a Philadelphia Phillies Cooperstown cap that I still have. I got it when I was visiting family in  New Jersey/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We ended up gonig to three or four different malls before I found one I really wanted.


TFD: How many caps do you currently have in your collection?

MP: Right now I have 215 59Fifty caps, but that number will go up very soon, as I have a couple orders I'm waiting to get in. Plus I'll be making a trip down to Buffalo in the near future to grab a bunch of new stuff that I'm still waiting to drop.


TFD: Do you have any "rules" as to what makes the cut, in regards to what goes into your collection?

MP: I really have no rules to my collection. If it's a sweet cap, I'll buy it. The only teams I won't have in my collection are the Canadiens, Senators (although I have one that was a gift), Yankees, and Cowboys. I also stay away from comic and movie caps, usually just because I wasn't big into that stuff when I was younger. I feel like guys that have caps from comics or superheroes have a huge passion for that kind of stuff, and I feel like those guys should be the ones rocking those sick caps, not me.


TFD: Do you have a particular way in which you display or store your fitteds at home?

MP: My hats at my house are displayed on my walls in my bedroom. I got the tip from Benjamin Christensen, a huge collector. I use push pins and butterfly paper clips to have them hang on the walls with the fronts facing out. Right now I only have 180 caps on my walls, as I have to take down some stuff to make more room. The rest get stored in plastic bags in my computer desk, for now.

TFD: Do you have a favorite cap in particular?

MP: My most favorite cap would have to be either my Blue Jays 59th Anniversary of the 59Fifty cap or my Mighty Ducks 20th Anniversary caps that just came out this year. Wouldn't be a collector without the 59Fifty and my love for hockey, which started by watching The Mighty Ducks both on the NHL and the movies and T.V. series.


TFD: What are your favorite sports?

MP: My favorite sport is obviously hockey, as a Canadian, but I love all sports. I'll play anything and I watch every sport on T.V.


TFD: What are your favorite teams to root for?

MP: My favorite teams are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors, and the Philadelphia Eagles. You can tell I live close to Toronto!


TFD: You recently went to the NHL Winter Classic, between the Maple Leafs and the Red Wings, in Michigan. What was that experience like?

MP: The Winter Classic easily has to be one of the best moments of my life, so far. Especially being able to spend it with my dad, who got me into hockey, and is the reason I am a Leafs fan today. Just being in the same place as everyone else, knowing there was 100,000 people in attendance, was crazy. The fact that it went to a shootout and the Leafs won made it that much more memorable. I could have been out there all day watching them play. It was freezing and we ended up having to walk 45 minutes to an hour to the game and back, as there weren't many cabs running because of the weather. Even with all that, I'd relive that day over and over again if I could. If anyone has the chance to go to an event like that, do not even hesitate. It'll be worth the money and any weather conditions you might have to face. Haha.


TFD: Did you pick up any special edition caps at the Winter Classic?

MP: Unfortunately, they only had Reebok apparel for the game, so there were no New Era Caps, which was a huge disappointment. I do not have any caps from the game besides a toque. I might through it out and grab a snapback still, just to commemorate the game.


TFD: Are there any caps that you maybe missed out on that you'd consider your "holy grail"?

MP: Some "holy grails" for me, right now, would be New Era's "Capture The Flag" line. The line started out in 2004 and gets various famous people to design a cap, which is made in limited numbers, and comes in a full display box with silk lining, a signed card, and a little mirror. I am trying to find as many as I can from the line, but still have yet to get my hands on one.


TFD: Where is your favorite place to shop for New Era Caps?

MP: My favorite place to shop for my caps is none other than the staring place of the company and the headquarters of New Era, the New Era Buffalo Flagship Store. It is about a 45 minute to one hour drive, depending on the border wait, so I don't always get to go just to browse. I will usually pick out a bunch of caps over a month and then go pick them all up. I actually have the honor of saying I can consider the manager, Billy, as a friend, now. We're always talking caps. Crazy the friendship caps can bring you.


TFD: What are your thoughts on the fitted community?

MP: The fitted community is amazing! I have built friendships with so many guys just talking about and sending each other caps that aren't available in each other's areas. I've gotten caps from the United States, Canada, and even the Netherlands. I've also shipped out caps to the U.S., other parts of Canada, Europe, and Mexico. We're always hunting for hats for other guys, and everyone is doing the same back; a very tight knit community whose always looking out for each other.


TFD: If the readers are interested in following you on social media, where can they find you?

MP: You can find me on facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
       
        facebook: Mike Perri
        Instagram: @PERRIM16
        Twitter: @perri_mike

     Toss me follows and don't be scared to send me some messages. I'm always down to help other collectors with questions or getting caps for them that they can't find on their area. Stay fitted and keep collecting!

     I'd like to thank Mike for getting back to me with the answers to my many questions, very quickly. I hope all of you got something out of it, and hopefully added a follow on social media. Until next time, keep collecting!

-Matt Aballi
Twitter: @MattAballi
Instagram: matt_aballi

Collectors Corner with Corey LeFebvre

     

     

     Corey LeFebvre is a giant in the fitted game. With a collection well into triple digits, he represents the essence of a great collector. Just like those who came before in our collectors series, he prides himself on the quality of what he has, not merely the quantity. 

     Although, a selective eye may not be what all of our readers considder to be the first and foremost quality of collecting New Era Caps, it certainly is an admirable and appreciated aspect. Take a journey with us, as we learn what drives Corey in his quest, one 59/50 at a time. 

     

TFD: Where are you from and where do you currently reside?

CL: I was born in a small town in North Dakota, called Minot, but I've been living in Tacoma, Washington since I was four years old. We are kind of like Seattle's less popular, ghetto little brother.

TFD: What size New Era Cap do you wear?

CL: 7 3/4, but sometimes I have to step down to a 7 5/8, depending on the hat material, age, and country of origin. 

TFD: When did you start collecting New Era Caps?

CL: I started collecting seriously a little over two years ago. I'm sort of a newcomer to this thing, or at least I feel like I am. I had long hair down to my ass for most of my life. I always loved hats, though flat bill fitteds with long hair or a pony tail didn't look good, so I would wear beanies with my hair tucked in them most of the time. When I finally decided to cut my hair, I went to the mall, got it hacked off, and walked out with a Seattle Mariners on-field cap on my head. A few days later, I was surfing for hats online, and stumbled upon The Clink Room website, and the rest was history. I think I ordered like twelve hats from them in the first month, and I've steady been rocking and copping them ever since.

TFD: What was your first New Era?

CL: The first New Era I ever owned was an away cap from my hometown baseball club, the Minot Mallards. It had a green crown with a red bill, and a gray under. I have the teams logo tattooed as part of my sleeve on my right leg.

TFD: Do you still own it?

CL: No, and it haunts me every damn day. Reward if you can find it!

TFD: How large is your collection?

CL: Last count, I was just over 200, but it's hard to say exactly. I am strictly fitteds, no snap-backs allowed. 98% of my collection are New Era's, but I do have a handful of Stall and Dean caps, mainly in teams New Era doesn't produce caps for. The quality from Stall and Dean does not compare to that of a New Era 59/50. 

TFD: Do you see yourself collecting forever?

CL: Yes I do, but I see my collection becoming more selective. I'm sort of on the hunt for more rare items already, and I see that being where my attention goes.

TFD: Are There any caps that you would regard as your "holy grail"?

CL: In addition to the Minot Mallards cap I talked about earlier, I've got a couple in my head that leave me feeling incomplete because I don't own them. There are a few Dragon Ball hats I would love to own. I've had the chance to buy them, but either the price or the size wasn't right. I love the Disney branded stuff; the Winnie The Pooh ones in particular I'm always looking for. 

TFD: Where is your favorite place to shop for caps?

CL: That's hard to say. I shop everywhere. Locally, I'm pretty much stuck with Lids or Just Sports if I want to actually try the hat on before I buy it. I frequent the three or four malls around here, and most of the hat store employees know me. I've ordered from every website there is; I've done eBay, I've bought from private sellers overseas, I've picked up gems at minor league and major league sporting events. I'm constantly shopping for hats. My favorites are ones that I have traded with people online or were given to me from friends in the fitted game. The Crew Era 13 guys specifically have always had my back in that department. The fact that we are all so spread out across the country makes it a little easier to find stuff when you're desperate.

TFD: What is your favorite cap?

CL: Probably my "Shams" hat from The Clink Room. It's just classic with the design and execution of craftsmanship; The colors are simple and perfect. I'm having to limit the wear on the thing, so I can keep it fresh in the collection. Losing or ruining a hat beyond repair is one of my biggest fears!

TFD: As a sports fan, what teams do you root for?

CL: Of course I root for the home teams; the Mariners and the Seahawks. I loved watching the SuperSonics as a kid. I'm hoping we might get them back someday.

TFD: What do you feel makes your collection great and/or unique?

CL: I take pride in my collection in the fact that I think all of them are "nice". I'm a fan of simple designs and color patterns. Sometimes, hats can be too loud. I'm not going to say I don't own a few, but for the most part, I think my collection is low key and just "nice". I've always gotten compliments on the colorways of a lot of my caps. I guess I got a good eye for it. 

TFD: What's on your radar in terms of "caps to pick up"?

CL: I've got my eye on a few of The Simpsons collection fitteds that are dropping in Japan soon. I'm also looking to get one of the Spike Lee Heritage Series caps, when they hit flagship stores in a few months. 

TFD: Any advice to any of the young collectors just getting into the game?

CL: Wear what you like, rep what you love, and dont be afraid to talk and share your passion with other collectors. I have friends all over the place because of my love for fitted hats, and that's what I feel it's all about. If you have three caps that you wear on a steady rotation because they represent you and you love them, then that's flying your own flag. In my opinion, you're doing it right. If you've got a hat for every day of the year and they speak to you at the same time, then hell yes, keep it up! 

     Anyone can spend a shit-ton of money and become the king of caps, but that doesn't mean you're better than the next guy. Stay humble, keep it positive, and have fun. I mean, it IS just hats for crying out loud. 

TFD: If people want to follow you and your collection, in terms of social media, where should they look for you? 

CL: Make sure to check out myself and a whole bunch of really good guys on Instagram. I use IG primarily to display my collection. My handle is @bigc253. You can also find me on Twitter @253bigc. I'm also one of the administrators of a fan page on facebook called Team Fitted; be sure to find us on there too!

     I'd like to thank Corey for being a really inspirational and fun interview. Hopefully the readers found a truly solid collector to keep an eye on. He's the guy with the awesome beard, if you were curious. Until next time, thanks for reading The Fitted Diaries.

-Matt Aballi

Twitter: @MattAballi

Instagram: matt_aballi

     

Collectors Corner with Derick Chartrand

     Continuing the trend of our last post, today we feature another avid fitted cap collector, that crossed my path via social media. Showing up on my "who to follow" tab on twitter quite some time ago, my eyes were drawn to his unique affinity to a franchise that re-located to Washington, D.C. a little over a decade ago.

     Derick Chartrand is one of us; a true lover of the 59/50. New Era recognized this almost a year ago in their first ever intimate fan experience, "Crew Era '13", along with a few other kingpins of the game. Now, it's our turn to find out what makes him one of the best. I recently had a chance to ask him a few questions in regards to him and the pursuit of fitted happiness. Here's how it went:


TFD: Where are you from?

DC: I'm from Laval, a small town near Montreal, in the beautiful Canada.


TFD: What size New Era Cap do you wear?

DC: I wear 7 3/8 and sometimes 7 1/2.


TFD: When did you start collecting New Era Caps?

DC: I think it was around 2008.


TFD: Do you remember what your first fitted was?

DC: My first one was the old on-field cap of the Baltimore Orioles. It matched my baseball jersey.


TFD: How many caps are currently in your collection?

DC: Right now, I'm at 295, and they are all fitteds.


TFD: Do you have a favorite one or a couple in the collection?

DC: My favorite right now is my custom Expos fitted that I made at New Era Headquarters. The chance I had to do my own cap and to do it the way I wanted was just awesome. I had to do it with the Diamond Era fabric, only because the Expos will probably never have the chance to have that cap made. After that, I asked the designer to add the Quebec flag on the side to make it more personal to me. The result was just superb. My second favorite is probably my Expos on-field Puerto Rico patch, that my friend Benjamin got me on eBay. That cap was one that I was looking for for a full year.

TFD: What is your favorite sport?

DC: My all-time favorite sport is hockey. I've played since I was six years old. I love hockey.


TFD: What teams do you root for in major sports?

DC: In baseball, there's only one team, since my Expos left, and it's the Bronx Bombers. I'm not really a football guy, but I love the Broncos mostly because of Peyton (Manning). NHL for me is Montreal (Canadiens),since I was four or five.


TFD: What is your favorite shop to pick up fitted caps?

DC: In Montreal, there aren't so many cap stores, so it's Lids or Lids online. I also love to order caps from Hat Club, 4UCaps, and MLB Shop.


TFD: Are there any caps that you would considder your "holy grail" that you can't seem to find and desperately want?

DC: For some people it's not much, but the holy grail for me is the Atlanta Braves Chipper Jones patch cap. That was something I missed that I maybe won't find. My friend from Atlanta, Ricky Ruby, said that cap is rare. I would love to come across that beauty.


TFD: You were part of New Era's inagural fan appreciation event, last year, Crew Era '13. What was that like?

DC: It was a dream come true for me and the other great collectors I met in Buffalo. They paid for my hotel and plane; they treated us like we were really important. We had the chance to talk with almost everyone in the company. We saw how they make the caps. That was awesome. New Era really is one of the best companies. The chance I had was awesome and I will never forget the time I spent with the other great collectors.

TFD: Did you come home with anything sweet?

DC: I came back with a school bag; it took two weeks before I received everything else I got and bought. New Era paid for the shipping when they sent my 27 fitteds, head-stands, a 24 cap-carrier, and my New Era glass block. My favorite cap of the package is my "MERICA" 4th of July exclusive, that I bought under the influence of the American boys.


TFD: What is your all-time favorite fitted?

DC: My regular Expos blue on-field cap. For me, it's a classic, but at the same time, it's a piece of Montreal history.


TFD: What do you personally feel makes your collection a great one?

DC: Nothing really. The thing that I love the most about my collection is how I store them. (Seen at the top) I love to wake up in the morning and see my wall. The big thing to remember is that it's not about the number, but about what you have. My collection is mostly on-field MLB and MiLB caps. I also have some NHL and NFL fitteds. Some people are more into comic caps (or other varieties) and that makes their collection as awesome as mine, too. You have to be proud of what you have.

TFD: If people want to follow you and your journey through caps, where can they find you on social media?

DC: On:    facebook: Derick Chartrand
                Twitter: LeKid26
                Instagram: LeKid26

 
     Derick really is someone to follow at those extensions. His Instagram is acceptional. He has a creative way of featuring his caps that is parallel to no one else. It's worth a look. I hope you enjoyed todays post. Stay tuned for our next interview in the comming days.

Collectors Corner with Maciek Krol

     One of the truly wonderous things about social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) is that you can make global connections with everyday people, who share the same interests and passions as you. The places these people can reside are limitless; perhaps in your neighborhood or even completely across the world. Todays post is about one of those people who happens to share my love of collecting New Era Caps.

     I met Maciek through Instagram, after posting a picture of a 59/50 and using the hashtag #NewEraCaps. Since then, we've been sharing pictures of our favorite and most rare caps. Recently, the hunt for the Heritage Series line, which is in limited production, has kept us in touch. Today, we did a Q and A with the man from across the pond, known on IG simply as "macall84".

TFD: What is your name?

MK: Maciek Krol

TFD: What size New Era Cap do you wear?

MK: 7 5/8, but when I started wearing New Era Caps I began with a 7 1/2.

TFD: Where are you from?/Where do you reside?
MK: I'm from Poland, but I've lived and worked in London, U.K. for the past 9 years.

TFD: What is your favorite sport?

MK: It has to be soccer! Oh man, I hate that word, to be honest! Here, it's called football, so yeah, my favorite sport is football. After that, I'd probably have to go with basketball.

TFD: What is your favorite franchise/team in football?

MK: Arsenal London is my beloved club! I've supported them 17 years and counting. I was 13 when I saw them playing on T.V., and I just fell in love. The interesting thing is that when I was a kid, I'd dreamed of going to London and watching game of my team, live, in their stadium. Now, I live like 15 minutes walking distance from the stadium, and I attend home games, regularly. I guess we always have to chase our dreams and believe in them.

TFD: What other teams do you support?

MK: As I mentioned before, I like basketball, too. My favorite NBA team is the Los Angeles Lakers.

TFD: When did you first start collecting New Era Caps?

MK: It was the year 2008; in December, just before Christmas. That's when I grabbed my frist New Era. My collecting started quite slow. I was buying them here and there, but didn't really have a passion for them until about 2 years ago. I can't really explain why, but it just happened!

TFD: How large is your collection, currently?

MK: Hard to say exactly. The last time I took a count was about 3 months ago, but I'd say I'm pretty close to 200.

TFD: What was your first New Era and do you still have it?

MK: My first New Era was some black on black fashion collaboration piece. It didn't have a sports logo on it or anything. I can't remember exactly what it was. It was a spontaneous buy when I was on a shopping trip at a Footlocker. They had a New Era display, and I remember my girlfriend picked the hat because I truly couldn't decide on one.

TFD: Are there any caps that you really want and haven't been able to find?

MK: Yeah, I guess every cap collector is chasing his "Holy Grail". For me, there are 2 hats. One is a Syracuse Skychiefs Hat Club release, with the classic team logo, featuring an all black brim and bill, and gray under. It's still available, but not in my size, so I'll keep searching for it!

The other hat is very hard to find. It's a black fitted with "99 problems but hats ain't mine" written on it. It was already released twice in Europe and twice I slept on it. Not so long ago I spoke with my flagship store manager and asked him if there is a realistic chance for a third release, but he said it wasn't likely, so I have to keep looking for it.

TFD: Do you see yourself collecting fitteds forever?

MK: I have guys on my Instagram that have been collecting hats for many, many years, and their collections are in the thousands. I definitely don't think I'll stop soon; there has been too much effort, love and passion that I have put into it. I can't see myself leaving it just like that, so, yeah, I see myself collecting hats for many years to come!

TFD: What is your all-time favorite fitted?

MK: My favorite hat in my collection is definitely the "'MERICA" fitted, released last year on the 4th of July. I love it to bits! When I wear it, someone always asks me about it; where I got it, that kind of stuff.

TFD: What would you say makes your collection a unique one?

MK: I think, in a way, is unique because you can find anything from sports logos to comic related hats to fashion collaborations. I don't limit myself to anything. I guess it's easy for me because I'm not too into American sports. I'm not a fan of baseball, American football or hockey, so it's easy for me to pick hats of any teams, any logos, any colorways. Even though I like basketball, and I'm a Lakers fan, I have hats with logos of other NBA teams. If I like the hat I'll pick it up. That's it!

TFD: Where is your favorite place to buy fitteds?

MK: My favorite place to buy hats is my London Soho Flagship store. I got most of my hats from there. Through Instagram, I've met fantastic people from all over the world, who love the hatgame and now I get hats from them too. What is great about this community is the fact that people help each other all the time! As we know, New Era separates the world of hats from one region to another, so a lot of hats that come out in Europe aren't available in the USA; also, USA releases are not available in Europe, or other parts of the world. Those things sometimes happen due to different licenses and restrictions, affecting collectors. It's kind of stupid, but on the other hand someone is always making money out of it.

     What I want to point out, here, is a big difference between the hat game and the shoe game. I hope that our community will never turn into what has happened to the shoe game. I can't really imagine going to the store and being a witness to a fight between two fellas over a fitted. That would be a very sad day.

TFD: If people want to follow you on social media (i.e. Twitter, Instagram) where should they look?

MK: I spend most of my time in Instagram, less on Twitter, but I'm there too. So, if you want to hit me there, please feel welcome! I always try to respond to all of the comments and messages. I like to chat with people about hats and other stuff. For both Instagram and Twitter, look for "macall84".

Peace, people! Remember, to always be yourself and fly your own flag. Thanks!


     I want to thank Maciek for sharing his love for the fitted game, in todays post. He was truly great to work with, and is now someone I considder a great friend in the community. Keep reading, everybody!


   

   

Ballin On The Bay

     For a franchise which has only reached post-season play three times in the past twenty seasons, the current foundation set in place for the Golden State Warriors is surely a sign of brighter horizons. The Warriors, whom have seen 12 coaching changes in said time-frame, are finally headed in the right direction with a former all-star point guard at the helm. 

     Mark Jackson, most notably of the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers in his playing days, is currently in his third year as head coach of the Warriors. Although only collectively four games over the magic .500 winning percentage (105-101 in regular season play), a world of difference can be seen on the court, whether it be in reflection of the teams play style or confidence. There is, of course, also something to be said about the improvement of the rosters talent and player I.Q. of the game. The conversation can start nowhere other than Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. 

     Steph Curry is currently playing in his fifth season, at point guard, out of Davidson University; His game ignites both the scoreboard with a pleathora of three's on a nightly basis and the "Dub-Nation" fanbase with undeniable excitement. Thompson, a shooting guard out of Washington State University, has been a consistent contributer in the points and assists colums over his first three seasons. With an extremely successful one-two knock-out combination, a respectable supporting staff, and an up-beat coaching staff, the sky truly is the limit for this Bay-Area ball club. 

     One notable change was made prior to the 2010-2011 season, that should not go un-noted; the franchise, in totality aside from the team name, was re-branded. Out with the old and in with the new-ish. The team reverted to a colorway reminicent of the franchises history spanning from the 1962 season to the 1997 season. Although, I write this with a sense of playful humor, there really is something to be said about looking good, feeling good, and performing. The teams old colorway and mascot were certainly a sign of the late 90's and early 00's, bringing with it a sense of playfulness and lack of true passion for victory. "The Dubs" went from a rust orange, navy blue/sky blue, metallic yellow colorway to the traditional yellow and royal blue we've all come to know and love. Examples shown below.

                               



    OLD                                                                                                                                      NEW  

   
     The cap above features a yellow bill, blue crown and gray under-brim, also has the new primary logo located front and center. On the caps left side, a yellow New Era Flag is featured. On the back, an NBA logo is shown in yellow over the blue material. Unfortunately, the cap, which was purchased at Cap City in West New York, New Jersey, is no longer available. An assortment of other Warriors caps can be found HERE.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned as the consistent flow of posts is to resume. Thanks.