Stormy Kromer, a stalwart of the wool cap industry, is branching out in support of Midwestern university pride with a new collection of collegiate-themed headwear. The brand, rooted in the traditions of the Upper Peninsula, has unveiled the Collegiate Collection—a lineup of caps featuring emblems from 18 universities across Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The launch of this collection was reported by MLive, FOX 2 Detroit, and MyUpNow.
In a move to simultaneously celebrate Midwestern ethos and to tap into the lucrative back-to-school market, the company has started to directly offer these caps, festooned with school logos and colors, on their website. Each cap in the collection is meticulously crafted, featuring custom embroidery representative of the respective schools. "There’s something special about Midwestern pride — whether it’s pride in your team, your school, or your community," CEO Gina Jacquart Thorsen was quoted as saying by FOX 2 Detroit. Stormy Kromer has long been integral to Michigan's identity, which the collection aims to further cement by associating its products with local higher education institutions.
According to MLive, Michigan schools in the line include prominent names such as Michigan State, Michigan Tech, and Northern Michigan, among others. Institutions in Minnesota and Wisconsin, comprising the likes of Bemidji State and UW–Eau Claire, also have made it into the collection. Thorsen emphasized the regional loyalty of their customer base in an interview with MyUpNow, where she stated, "This is something that customers have asked us for years, and years, and years."
Amongst the collection's initiatives, there is a notable push for philanthropy. A portion of the proceeds from sales of caps associated with Ferris State University will go towards the school's Alumni Legacy Endowment Fund. This offer runs until September 19, with $20 from each Ferris State hat sale earmarked for the fund, as noted by MLive. Looking forward, Stormy Kromer plans to potentially expand the collection, adding more schools and widening the apparel options. They have invited suggestions from the public about which schools they would like see included next in the collection, a point that underscores the company’s dedication to its community and consumer engagement, as per a report by MyUpNow.
