Hot Topic: learn about Hot Topic and other fashion companies here on Apparel Search

It all started in 1988. A ton of teen retail accessory stores filled the malls, but there wasn't a cool music-inspired accessory store for both guys and girls. Then came Hot Topic.

As 1990 rolled around, adding apparel seemed like a no-brainer. What better way than to add the ultimate music fan essential - band tees. Imagine how their customers flipped when they were able to purchase Bauhaus, The Cure, TSOL, and Depeche Mode rock t-shirts at Hot Topic. Within a year, they had about 50 different band titles, along with rock-inspired clothing lines such as Lip Service and Serious.

As they expanded, they discovered that customers were equally drawn to the underground cartoon, cult movie, and comic book scenes. It was a unique culture fans could call their own, so they brought the world of South Park, Care Bears, Superman, SpongeBob SquarePants and tons of other pop icons into their Hot Topic stores.

In 1996, with about 60 teen retail stores, Hot Topic became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ under the symbol HOTT. The cash from their public offering allowed them to expand to the over 600 teen retail stores they have today. Check out their store locator to find the location nearest you.

At Hot Topic, you'll find a passion for music in everything they do, and you'll see that their customers share that same passion. It's in their stores. It's at their head quarters. It's in their distribution centers. It's in their products. It's Everything About the Music.

Hot Topic sells accessories, jewelry, belts, cosmetics, hosier, band tees, skinny jeans and more. You will find licensed product in several clothing categories as well as boots, sneakers and more.

Learn more about Hot Topic at the Hot Topic website.