Low Temps – High Fashion; Kerchillery in the NEWS

Kerchiller Neck Wraps: Low Temperature. High Fashion

in 2001, Just Chillin’ LLC founder Diane Harrison challenged her marketing class with a product development exercise that ultimately became the genesis of a dynamic new fashion category: personal cooling accesso­ries. At the time, Harrison was struck by the lack of personal cooling products that factored in the user’s fashion sense: “There are a myriad of products available on the market today to aid with personal cooling; some more effective than others,” she says, “but no one in the industry has truly focused on the fashion as­pect”.

What are personal cooling products? In the case of Harrison’s “Kerchillery™” collection there’s no high volt­age or A/C involved: they are fashion accessories — scarves, pendants, and jewelry — that are impregnated with a special polymer that absorbs large amounts of water which then evaporates over time producing a cooling effect.

This new entry to the fashion arena marries solid science with a flair for design. The polymer com­pound comes in bead or tubular form, lending the product great flexibility — both literally and figurative­ly. For example, the cooling tubular pendant’s adjustable design, using all-natural hemp tie closures, does double-duty as a headband. The pendants can also be twice-wrapped for use as bracelets, thereby cooling the pulse points in the wrist.

Predictably, Kerchiller’s™ hottest market is the sizzling Southwest, with the South East close behind. Retail­ers catering to the outdoors consider it a staple. According to Cindy Thigpen, owner of Garden Gallery in Bir­mingham: “Kerchiller products have been a top seller in our store for years. Gardeners, especially, enjoy the cooling benefits they provide. “

In terms of top sellers, Harrison singled out the solid black and solid khaki kerchiefs, as well as the cooling pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. Just Chillin, LLC will be exhibiting at Surf Expo, Booth 3288, January 8 -10, 2015. The products are not yet in any rep showrooms, but can be found on the company website at www.kerchiller.com. Contact: Diane Harrison diane@kerchiller.com