Buffalo's New Era Cap Co in collaboration with New York City based Sweat Equity Enterprises (SEE) has created an original line of caps and t-shirts that will launch this month. Founded by designer/entrepreneur Marc Ecko, SEE is a nonprofit organization through which teens develop professional-quality designs for corporate partners.

SEE is a project-based learning program where New York City high school students participate during the school day. "By demystifying the products that they love, SEE students find an entry point that makes learning cool.  We are empowering young people with skills that they can actually take to the bank and at the same time showing companies that this is what corporate responsibility can be about," said Marc Ecko, SEE's Founder.   Proceeds of the sale of the SEE-designed caps and t-shirts will benefit SEE's global expansion.

New Era's renowned team of designers has been working with the students of SEE since January of 2008 in order to help them fashion their own unique masterpieces from scratch. 

SEE teen designer, Raymond Bargallo, 16, explained the process.  "I started by doing research and finding inspiration, then I put the elements together by sketching on paper and using Photoshop and Illustrator. I had to think about who I wanted to sell to and why they would buy this cap. You have to think about your audience: the consumer.  It is different from a regular art class where you are just making a project for your portfolio; this is real."

"New Era is proud to align itself with such a rewarding program for teens like SEE," said Gerry Matos, SVP of Marketing at New Era. "The opportunity to work with these innovative, bright young minds has not only helped to spark a new wave of fashion for New Era, but it will also inspire the youth of the nation to continue to pursue their dreams and realize that anything is possible."

The caps will hit New Era stores in mid-April 2009. Visit www.neweracap.com for more information on the SEE program and the view the products. Finish Line will also have the collection of SEE product in its stores. The approximate retail cost for the caps will be $34 and t-shirts will run between $28 and $30.

The following is a non-sanctioned (but fun) video instruction on all of the unique ways to wear a New Era cap: