$35,000 Hat

In my attempts to learn more about millinery to broaden my horizons and skill sets, I came across a site last night about blocking straw hats. This site specifically covered the process surrounding the creation of Montechristi Panama hats. After a few minutes of reading I realized I had stumbled across what may be the most highly skilled community of Panama hat artisans in the world.

The gentleman who runs the site documents the process from hunting down and bleaching the palms, to the weavers' process, through his hand shaping and finishing. 100+ hours of skilled hand labor goes into each and every one of these gems. Each weaver may only complete 4-5 hats a year, depending on the fineness of the weave. And from their hands the hats pass through several others as they are tightened, pounded, washed, softened, bleached and finally shaped into the exquisite fedora, Panama or derby custom fit to each customer. The finer hats may have more than 1000+ hours devoted to process in the end. No wonder you need a second mortgage to purchase one.

Yet they appear so simple.

I often hear millinery is regarded as a dying art form. At least in the States (I'd like to think it is alive an well in countries such as Great Britian, but after witnessing a few of Philip Treacy's recent creations donned at the royal wedding I can't help but wonder if the entire industry might not have terminal cancer).

The website I found was a refreshing reminder that there are skilled artisan and enthusiasts devoted to keeping the millinery traditions alive.

I may never be able to afford one of Brian Black's beautifully and painstakingly crafted fedoras, but I relieved to see artisans like him continuing the craft.

I will grow up to be one of those artisans...