Suburban Turban Heads Right to the Source: Alopecia UK and Bald Girls Do Lunch, USA Join Image Project

Surrey, United Kingdom, May 01, 2008 --(PR.com)-- A growing number of women in the UK face the trauma and uncertainty of hair loss, whilst having to maintain the normality of everyday life – the office, school, the gym. Suburban Turban, a leading online retailer of fashion headwear for women with hair loss, has launched the UK’s first national image survey, specifically aimed at women with hair loss and how they cope.

The survey, developed in association with Alopecia UK and the American charity, Bald Girls Do Lunch Inc., has one simple aim: to gather as much information as possible about how these women are coping.

Nicky Smetham, Suburban Turban’s founder, says, “Women with any form of significant hair loss can very quickly feel isolated and alone with their condition. This survey aims to collect and share information about how women are managing with significant image change. Our goal is to develop products and services in response.”

In a recent study of just over 2,000 women, a third had been to their GP with hair loss issues. This not only highlights the serious nature of the problem but also the lack of various information sources available to women. (‘Women’s hair loss at record high’ – Daily Telegraph 4.12.07)

“With this taboo subject, there is little understanding of the social and psychological pressures women face and even less discussion about it in the fashion press. Hair loss isn’t about mere vanity for women, it is about trying to maintain a healthy attitude to body image, which is critical to the recovery process as well as coping with longer-term hair loss issues” adds Ms Smetham.

Women experiencing hair loss can take part in the survey by visiting www.suburbanturban.co.uk/survey. Once they have completed the survey, they will automatically be entered into a prize draw of a colour consultation or an alternative prize of relevant headwear up to the value of £100.They will also be included in the results mail out, to be released later in the year.

“This is valuable on several fronts.” according to Bald Girls Do Lunch founder, Thea Chassin, based just outside New York. “Not only will this direct us to the significant image issues, but each woman who participates will have taken time to think about her needs and realize that she’s not alone.”

For further information please contact
Nicky Smetham | www.suburbanturban.co.uk | Contact: nicky@suburbanturban.co.uk | Tel: 0845 003 2 800
Ruth Bowdage | www.alopeciaonline.org.uk/ | Contact: www.alopeciaonline.org.uk/contact/form.asp
Thea Chassin | www.baldgirlsdolunch.org. | Contact: info@baldgirlsdolunch.org

Notes to Editors

Suburban Turban provides:
• Fashion accessories rather than ‘necessity’ headwear.
• Unique and unusual headwear designed specifically with hair loss in mind/designers new to the UK.
• Specialist advice from image consultant Liz Scott, to guide women to the right headwear choice for them.
• A website that offers guidance and interesting articles on hair loss fashion concerns – keep an eye out for new accessories and information updates via the site.

* Statistical information quoted from ‘Women’s hair loss at ‘record high’….’, The Daily Telegraph, 4.12.07

About Suburban Turban & Nicky Smetham
Suburban Turban was founded by milliner Nicky Smetham. Nicky trained in millinery at Chelsea and London College of Fashion and has spent 10 years making hats for the Season - Ascot, Henley and Goodwood. In 2005 Nicky won 'Best Hat' at Lingfield Ladies Day and her hats have appeared in 'Hello!' magazine. The idea for Suburban Turban was formed at a GRACE (Gynae-oncology Research and Clinical Excellence - see link) charity fashion show last year, where several ladies were discussing the real need for fashionable product for women experiencing hair loss. Most women feel the need to cover their hair loss, either with a wig or some form of headwear, this maybe viewed as a necessity but their view is that the hat should reflect the woman not the condition.

Significant hair loss hasn’t been exclusive male territory for some time. Awareness and understanding for the female equivalent and other hair loss conditions is growing all the time. Suburban Turban launched its range of fashion headwear specifically targeted at women with significant hair loss at the end of last year. The business has been well received with clients appreciating the fashion bias and choice available. Clients can log on to the site, scan the range or simply access some practical and highly useful free styling tips to guide them through their new hair loss image. http://www.suburbanturban.co.uk