Don’t Call It A Panama Hat

“It’s important to know that straw headpieces already existed in the Americas during the pre-Columbian era. The art of straw weaving was practiced by early civilizations, but the shape and designs were drastically influenced by European settlers. Eventually these headpieces took the shape of recognizable hats (like fedoras and top hats). In terms of quality the type of straw is key. Toquilla Straw is the best and what we use – it’s indigenous to the Montecristi region of Ecuador (named after ‘tocas’, meaning cap). The superior quality of the straw means our hats are incredibly durable and resistant. The most experienced and skilled weavers are located in the towns of Montecristi and Pile, where the finest hats are crafted by hand. We consider our hats pieces of art and our mission is to preserve the prestigious hat-making legacy.

Monticristi originated with a vision. We’ve worked to create a bond between the artisan and the consumer by highlighting the importance of our hat-making tradition (a tradition which unfortunately is dying due to a lack of interest and a growing demand for cheap hats). As such we were given a Certificate of Authenticity by the mayor of Montecristi. In terms of design we’re inspired by different eras. It’s a fusion of the Pre-Columbian ‘tocas’ and contemporary styles. Wearability is very important – we recently incorporated the first short brim straw hat into our collection. The technique our weavers use adds complexity and tradition to the designs, making each piece entirely unique. For us it’s all about the details.”