Hat Blog

Signes European Fine Men's Hats

We arrived in Alicante Spain and were picked up at the airport by Jose Signes. We headed to a restaurant in a small fishing village on the Mediterranean where we were served a seafood paella par excellence, made to order per Jose’s arrangements in anticipation of our arrival. Fully satisfied, it was then to off to the  hat factory and work.

Jose and his brother-in-law Carlos run the factory begun by Jose’s father in 1968. When the straw-hat makers in Gata de los Gorgos began to close as a result of price pressures from Chinese competition, The Signes’ made the decision to differentiate themselves from China by upping their focus on quality and workmanship. Their boutique factory approach has been rewarded as they have survived while most others in this small historical hat making community have closed their doors.

A lot of time is spent with each hat (as our videos of hat making at Signes will attest). They have no interest in competing with China on price. However, they do compare very favorably with other European factories on both quality and price in the Fine Hats sector of the industry. We worked with the family late into the night and produced an order for hats that we now present on our Signes brand page (followed by a night of tapas and fine Spanish  wine).

We’re proud to be introducing these hats to North America.

 

FOR EXAMPLE:

Signes Packable Panama Fedora

I’ve been pursuing the Holy Grail in Panama hats for 30 years. Panamas have the reputation that they can be rolled up and packed away for travel. They also have the reputation as a finished fedora that is classic and grand-a stylish, hand-woven natural straw. This has posed a dilemma for hat merchants. More often than I can count, I’ve explained to customers that these two qualities are not embodied in the same hat. The buyer needs to choose a Panama that can suit one of these purposes or the other. [Read my article Letter to Monticristi Hat Customers for more on this.] However, I’ve never been fully satisfied with my explanation, i.e. that these "two different hats" were forever to be mutually exclusive. For decades, I’ve been trying to find a hat maker who can solve the puzzle of a snappy, high-quality finished fedora (that holds its shape) being embodied in the same hat that can be rolled for purposes of travel or storage.

It was a small town in Catalonia that I had my Eureka moment. All credit goes to Jose Signes. A "Panama" is a hat woven from a particular straw material (Carloduvica palmata) found in western South America. However – and this is important – the weaves differ from one region to another as well as the preparation of the material. The finest hats are often associated with Manabi Province in Ecuador (for example, many know the Panama hat reputation of Monticristi, a town in the province). The finest roll-able Panama hat is almost always one of these 20-grade hats that has not been blocked, sized, and finished. However, when one blocks, stiffens and finishes the hat, the natural properties of the material change and the hat, then, does not lend itself to the same material properties. Without divulging Signes’ trade secrets (or getting too technical), suffice to say that these hat Panama hat bodies come from another region of Ecuador. The material is prepared differently, and the weaving pattern is different. The quality is, nevertheless, superb. [See my article on Determining Panama Hat Quality for more on this]. Signes takes this unfinished Panama hat body and works its magic.

We now have it; both hats in one.  The Holy Grail has been found. 

Fred Belinsky
www.VillageHatShop.com

Put on a New Hat and Head Over to the Art Museum

Shepard Fairly's work from  Viva La Revolucion: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape.

 

I am not the kind of person who believes he is likely to experience a personal breakthrough by reading the Twilight books.  I am concluding as much only by way of Twilight’s reputation, as I have never even seen a copy.  I’m assuming that these books are this generation’s Celestine Prophecy, which I did read.  The one thing I remember from that book is to concentrate-meditate in fact-on the act of eating your food.  Focus your full attention on each bite: the flavor bursting forth, every olfactory nuance, the textures, the sound and feel of your teeth slowly gnashing each parcel of food.  Chew very deliberately and appreciate the miracle that is food.  Although I experienced no personal breakthrough, I think I lost a few pounds. 

As a younger man, when I needed to change things up/to get out of a rut, I would grab my backpack and make my way – usually with my thumb – to a wilderness area.  I’m too old for that now; and, anyway, hitchhiking doesn’t cut it these days. So, in need of a new route to clearing my cluttered cranium, I put on a new hat and headed over to “Viva La Revolution”, a new exhibit extolling graffiti’s artistic merits at The San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art.  Before you draw conclusions about how these actions were easy and should not qualify as life-changing, hear me out. 

 

First, the hat:  with a brim just shy of four inches, the Dario Panama hat  from Jaxon is not inconspicuous.  Embracing it as daily wear this spring/summer had intimidated me.  I felt very self conscious wearing it.   (I was able to don it on vacation where “stretching” from one’s safe zone is easier).  Fully accepting this big hat as this summer’s “new me” was a leap. 

Next, the art gallery visit: Unfortunately it has come to this, but spontaneously escaping from the tasks and responsibilities of my daily routine is not easy.  It’s tantamount to playing hooky.  It’s a bit embarrassing to write this; how can it be that I have become such a slave to work? 

So, there it is.  Putting on a new hat and, outside of my schedule, heading over to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego did provide me the slightly altered view of my world that I was seeking.  I can still hear the skeptics; “This hardly qualifies as an activity having much consequence; too simple.”  In fact, it was rather easy to do.  . . . . and that’s the point.

Fred Belinsky
www.VillageHatShop.com

It's About the Hats

Clockwise starting at the upper left: Dario chin-cord attachment; Old Sacramento: Montecristi Fedora; Heritage C-crown Fedora

 

At the beginning of the year I resolved to dive, big-time, back into hats (Keeping eCommece Real – January’s HAT BLOG article).  Now that we’re midway into the year, it’s time for an accounting.  I was in Asia this past spring and, without a doubt, our Fall/Winter hats will be our best selection ever for Jaxon and sur la tete – stay tuned.  For now, newbies include 1. The Jaxon Panama Dario with Chin Cord, 2. The Montecristi Fedora, and 3. The entire collection from Beaver Brands. 

1.    The Dario is blocked and finished to our specifications in Germany by Mayser Hat Company.  These unusually wide-brimmed (just shy of 4-inches) Panama hat bodies are hand-woven in Ecuador.  The traditional pipeline for the paja toquilla (Panama) material as described in Tom Miller’s The Panama Hat Trail is employed in the making of this hat.  Per The Village Hat Shop order, Mayser imports the high quality, wide-brimmed, Cuenca-weave hats bodies.  The German factory then blocks and finishes the hat.  Our initial design did not include the chin cord.  After personally field testing the hat in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park, I was dissatisfied with the fact that the big brim made the hat dysfunctional in open desert winds.  Otherwise I loved the hat for its great styling, fit, finish, and superior sun shade.  We added the chin cord using Mayser’s very nifty solution.  Be sure to look at the chin cord details [above].  At $285, this is my favorite new hat of the year.

2.    The Montecristi Fedora is a Panama Fino hat body, 20-grade minimum from Montecristi, Ecuador, in a great fedora style.  No matter how many different styles that we introduce into the high-end of the Panama hat marketplace, the traditional fedora continues to be the most popular.  With this hat we improved the styling details: crown shape, height, pinch, brim size and roll, trim, and sweatband.  At $475, we have a great hat at a very competitive price for this quality Panama. 

3.    Developing our new Beaver Brand styles has been very satisfying.  Tapping the resources and experience of this venerable 150-year old USA factory has allowed us to design an array of hats that echo the Old West.  Historians know that different hats are associated with different geographic regions of the western USA.  Furthermore, the job and social standing of the townspeople dictated their headwear choice, often not a western style per se.  Even the generic “cowboy hat”, encompasses dozens of variations.  See the “Old California”, “Old Southwest, “Old Sacramento”, “Old Gaucho”, “Classic Derby”, “Classic Homburg”, and “Heritage C-crown Fedora” styles, all at the Beaver Brand page. 

We understand that a hat business is fundamentally all about the hats.  Enjoy.

Fred Belinsky
www.VillageHatShop.com

More Hats

Periodically, I am accused by Hat Blog readers of not being focused enough on my core business. These people argue that I write too much about general ecommerce issues, the Internet, restaurant or book reviews, and the like. The message is "give me more about hats."

Okay, I hear you. My resolution this year is to refocus squarely on our products. I’ll be attending more trade shows around the world, visiting factories, adding hats and vendors to our web site. We’ll add more hat related content too; hats are a never ending story (past, present, and future).

Most importantly, I’ll be adding my two-cents to the design team. In fact, I have already begun. The more heads that are thinking about our products - styling, materials, trimmings, sweatbands, workmanship particulars, size and fit, etc. - the better. Bruce Zales (Jaxon designer) Susan Lee (sur la tete designer) and their assistants do a stellar job, but every additional person attending to this most fundamental aspect of our business brings a different perspective. Our customers come from every walk of life, are every age, live on all parts of the planet, and are both men and women. So, the more diverse our buyers and designers, the better and broader our selection will be. And, there was a time that I did this job essentially myself, so getting back to this indispensable work is something I am very comfortable with. I am enjoying getting "back to the future".

Here are a couple of hats that I’ve recently brought to the party: 1. The Dario Panama Hat: This genuine Panama hat body is hand woven in Ecuador. These unblocked, bigger than usual hats (3 ¾ inch brims) are then sent to Germany where the venerable Mayser Hat Company blocks and finishes the hat to our quality specifications. Quantities are very limited. 2. The Tyrolean Dreispitz: A classic hat that is an icon for the Alpine region of Europe. Dreispitz in German translates to tricorne which refers to the three dents in the crown. 3. The entire Hills Hats of New Zealand line. There are more. Keep checking our New Hats for Men and New Hats for Women pages.

Thanks to those readers who have asked for more hats, more hat information, more hat images, more hat blog postings. You asked for it, you got it. [That used to be Toyota’s slogan - not so good these days (uh-oh, I need to stay focused on my task).]

Fred Belinsky
www.VillageHatShop.com

The Village Hat Shop Rocks Hillcrest at its 2009 Holiday Party

This year, the stars aligned. We have three very talented bands closely associated with our business. These are established, well-recognized, California musicians and song writers. So, what better way to celebrate than to dine and imbibe at our favorite local Hillcrest restaurant, Saigon On Fifth, and "kick out the jams" (am I showing my age and Detroit roots?). We took over the banquet room, set up the back line, closed the doors to the main restaurant, and rocked.

The Silent Comedy opened. Their set included the world premier of guitarist Tim Graves’s song "Bartholomew". Among the bands many accomplishments, The Silent Comedy performed this year at the San Diego Music Awards and won the 2009 Best Pop Artist award. Next up was Lauren DeRose accompanied by Marissa Oliver on violin. Lauren is a top-tier singer/songwriter. Her musical training includes 3-years at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Boston's loss is San Diego's (and The Village Hat Shop’s) gain. Simply put, Lauren’s honesty and musical virtuosity is wonderfully unique. After stomachs were full with good food and potent potables, the perfect closing band was the rhythm and blues of Tori Roze and The Hot Mess. The big sound of this five-piece band filled the room and the party was on, full-tilt. The Hot Mess is Lee Clark (Tori’s mom!): Flute/Backup Vocals/Added Percussion, Jordan Morita: Trombone, Johnny Alexander: Guitar, Harley Magsino: Bass, and Serge McCoy: Drums. Tori, in addition to the lead vocalist, plays trumpet, keys, and acoustic guitar. Tori's soul singing reminds me of the great jazz and blues stylists of the middle 20th Century, but with her own very distinctive modern lyrical bent. The music and lyrics from all the bands is original.

What a party! What good fortune to be surrounded by such wonderful and talented people on a daily basis. Lauren and Tori work at VHS HQ. Our connection to The Silent Comedy is by way of our Christine, Tim Graves’s "lady" as he so aptly put it his shout-out. We also have a sponsorship deal with TSM (these fellas wear Jaxon Hats; and they did so before we hooked up). So, it’s all good. We should only be as fortunate next year to have this entire gang still closely connected to The Village Hat Shop. Who knows, maybe we even can run this gig again!

Fred Belinsky
www.VillageHatShop.com

Iconic Hats: Newsboy Hats and Ivy Hats

[This is article #8 in a series on iconic hats. It joins The Top Hat, The Bowler, The Fedora, The Cowboy Hat, The Beret, The Baseball Cap, and The Fez.]

^{Newsboy caps and ivy caps – variously known as flat caps, baker boy hats, driving caps, golf caps, English caps, eight-quarter caps, etc. – date to pre-World War I and historically are associated with the working classes. In pictures from this period, as well as in literature, one finds factory workers, laborers, construction workers [there is a famous 1932 photograph by Charles C. Ebbets of construction workers on a beam over NYC - Lunch Atop A Skyscraper -where most are wearing a newsboy or ivy cap], etc. wearing variations of cloth caps. Because this headwear was cut-and-sewn primarily from either cotton or woolen fabrics, variations were plentiful and a man could easily distinguish himself from the next by his choice of color, material (e.g. tweed, herringbone, etc.), or style (cut). Furthermore, these caps were inexpensive when compared to the full size hats of the day like bowlers, top hats, or fedoras, so a person could own more than one and, if so inclined, change his hat from day to day. Because of the small size, soft nature, and portability of these caps, their popularity spread to young professionals, college fraternities ("ivy" cap as in Ivy League), sportsmen ("golf" cap as worn by the likes of Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan), etc. A man accustomed to dressing up for work during the week with a full size hat, could now wear this informal cap on the weekend signaling his "time off" while he pursued leisure activity without stepping down in class.}

^{Today, the popularity of ivy and newsboy hats is perhaps second only to its ubiquity in the early 20th Century. The English-born Kangol 504 cap helped to revitalize this style in the mid to late 1990s. Movie stars, musicians, golfers, fashionistas, skate boarders, people young and old, can be found on a daily basis wearing a newsboy or ivy cap frontwards, backwards, or sideways. . Those who determined that this was "my style" quickly learned that the variations of this headwear style are virtually limitless. Many – like my father – make a hobby of collecting caps and make certain to pick up one or two while traveling in the British Isles or Europe.}

^{Fred Belinsky
VillageHatShop.com} 

 

Business and Creativity

 

I’m fixated of late - obsessed at times - on the relationship between successfully navigating The Village Hat Shop through this current state of affairs and thinking creatively. Whether it be remaining open-minded and experimental in marketing our web site, or creating new ball cap designs, or introducing a community herb and vegetable garden at our headquarters location in San Diego, or pulling out our decades-old, vintage hat trimmings and marrying these wonderful old accouterments/feathers/spangles/etc. with our felt hats for the upcoming season, something tells me - some loud and clear voice from within – that the way through this "thing" is to employ innovation as the guiding principle. Retail business has always been, and will always be, more art than science.

What’s the relationship, one might ask, between a herb and vegetable garden and selling hats. It should come as no surprise to those of you who are gardeners that as I dig a hole in the small plot next to my office and prepare the soil for our four different varieties of tomatos, that some idea, totally unrelated to what I am doing, will "pop" into my head. Eureka!--Break up the Ivy and Newsboy page at the site into micro sites for easier navigation. Or, design a ball cap with . . . .  You get the point.

This imperative for creative thinking is evident; I’m only edifying the obvious. The world - certainly the world of ecommerce - is changing with stunning speed. Last year’s great idea may be this year’s "old hat." Close-mindedness or inflexible business plans are the death knell. Thinking outside the box is a requirement if one is to discover - or catch the wave of - the next big thing.

None of this is to say that the merchant fundamentals of offering the right products along with good customer service will be anything but the very foundation of a good retail business. But, how to get the salient message to the customer that we are delivering these fundamentals in the midst of this very competitive and difficult environment  is the goal that requires the utmost in creativity. 

Fred Belinsky
www.VillageHatShop.com

The Fourth Annual Del Mar Pre-Race Day Betmar Hats Trunk Show

                             The Village Hat Shop & Betmar Hats

in anticipation of Opening Day at Del Mar 

presents

The Fourth Annual Pre-Race Day Trunk Show 

Saturday, July 12th

11am-2pm

at The Village Hat Shop in Seaport Village. 

 

Kimberli MacKay, Director of Design at Betmar, will be flying in from New York to help head up the event.  Customers will have the chance to meet with Kimberli, chat with her about her designs, the fashion industry in general or, most importantly, to have a hat selected "just for her". 

   

She will be bringing with her preview pieces from the 2009 Spring /Summer dress line.  Attendees will not only have the chance to sneak a peek of what designs are in store for next year, but will also have the chance to buy these hats, thus making their purchase "one-of-a-kind" until the line is formally released next spring. 

    

We will also have 50 of Betmar's custom high-quality hat boxes on hand, which are only available at trunk shows, to be given to the first 50 customers who buy a Betmar dress hat that weekend.

 

www.VillageHatShop.com

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Movie Reviews

 

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Movie Reviews from a Hat-Centric Point of View

First of all – it wasn’t a premier; just a lowly screening.  Han Solo did not step out from behind the curtain.  Karen Allen was probably back on her farm in New England.  Spielberg was off planning his next serious project.  We were simply at an early viewing along with various other overweight fan boys, geeks and merchants of Indiana Jones various licenses.  Although the geeky skateboarding kid from Clueless who falls in love with Brittney Murphy was in attendance with his friends.  He seemed like a pleasant enough fellow.

So to be fair – right of the bat we were a bit disappointed.  We didn’t even get to view it at Mann’s Chinese Theatre as promised (and where I had never been).  It was at the multi-plex upstairs.  We were duped.  Mislead.  And aggravated.

When the movie finally started, our first partial glimpse of Indy in nearly 20 years came as a pleasant surprise – it was not actually our boy, but his hat.  And, I should add it looked damn good.  In fact the hat was a major character throughout the movie (and one of the best).  That can’t be a bad thing for the hat industry.

The movie on the other hand was sort of a disappointment.  It wasn’t a bad movie; in fact I’m giving it a B+ (just barely – like 87.5% with a cool teacher).  But compared to the first three (A+, 100% on Raiders, A-, 92% on Temple and solid A, 97% on Crusade), it just does not hold up.  Indy looked old – which is fine but they should have had much more fun with this fact.  Other than a couple brief mentions they seemed to ignore his advancing years as he beat the hell out of men half his age (sometimes three at a time).  Karen Allen looked like an aging athlete trying to get back in the game (think Larry Holmes circa 2004).  She seemed so pleased with herself that I kept thinking she was going to look at the camera, wink, and say, “Isn’t this just the greatest thing ever!  I’m acting!”  And as far as Shia LeBeouf goes, I have yet to be all that impressed with a single thing he’s ever done.  I don’t particularly dislike him mind you – he’s nowhere near my almost pathological hatred of Brendan Frasier (what has that jackass ever done that’s worth a damn and why is he famous and rich?)  He’s just blah.  And he continues his blah streak in this movie.  I mean, really – Shia LeBouf?  A tough guy with a switchblade?  Man, I am just not buying it.

Despite all that criticism, I was entertained for most of the two hours of the movie.  Any chance I get to see Indiana Jones/Han Solo/Rick Deckard on the big screen speaking in Mayan, brushing off cobwebs in some 4000 year old grave, cocking that beautiful hat and teaching some punk kid a thing or two, I still walk smiling.  Even if the story has some absurd holes and ridiculous twists towards the end, Harrison Ford has the ability make it all worthwhile, as anyone who came of age in the 70’s will attest to. 

My verdict is – go see it.  Just don’t expect too much and you won’t be disappointed.

Bruce Zales – Designer of Jaxon Hats
www.VillageHatShop.com
www.JaxonHats.com

 

I would say the film is an 8.5, definitely a lot of action and an interesting story line.  I would rate it as the number 4 movie in the series. 

A lot of references to the hat, at least 3 majors ones that I remember.  The hat is almost a character in itself!  One interesting tidbit, Indiana Jones does wear a different color fedora in a few scenes in the movie.  A grey felt fedora with a black hat band; this hat is soon lost and never recovered. 

I caught a few references to the past storylines, I'm sure there were more that I didn't catch.

Cate Blanchett was great as the new villain - thirsty for power; and Shia LeBeouf played the rebellious youth, his energy was a great part of the entire cast ensemble.

As for Harrison Ford, he was great!  He still has that charm that guides us through all of his adventures throughout the world. 

The story touches upon the mortality of its main character, we learn that heroes can't live forever but their legends live on. 

All in all, I think the 4th installment stays true to the series, fun and exciting; I would definitely see it again!

Susan Lee – Designer of sur la tete Hats
www.VillageHatShop.com

 

I went to the screening of the new Indiana Jones movie last night! The picture will certainly be the blockbuster of the summer. It was fun, exciting and action pack. Harrison Ford played the classic Indiana Jones we all remember and loved. He still has it!

 

Best of all, the movie really focused in on the hat! Several close-ups and laughs drew attention to his hat. Truly solidifying the Indy trademark.

 

The movie ended with the hat blowing in from a gust of wind. It lands at the feet of the kid (Shia LaBeouf). He picks it up and is JUST about to put it on. You are thinking the hat is passing on to Indy's predecessor. BUT... Indy swiftly grabs it, puts it on, and strolls out of the building.

 

Classic ending that left you with a smile and relief Indiana Jones will live on!

 

Gear up for big "IJ" hat sales next week. The movie has sold it!

 

 

Lisa Deluca Zimmerman – Hat Seller of Official Indiana Jones Hats

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Coming Next Week

After a two decade hiatus, Indy is back. If you’re a HAT BLOG reader, you know that this is big news for the hat industry (see past postings either here at the HAT BLOG or at EZINEARTICLES.COM or VILLAGEHATSHOP.COM). Because we are authorized dealers selling the officially licensed Indiana Jones Hats, we have been invited to the world premiere of the movie this Tuesday in Los Angeles (yes, Harrison Ford will be there - we’ll say hello to him for you). Return to the HAT BLOG on Wednesday May 21st, to read the first movie reviews for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as we will post them on that day.

Hold on to your hats Indy fans, for the fun is about to begin again!

Fred Belinsky
www.VillageHatShop.com