Handmade in Ecuador
A Panama Hat Story
We're excited to introduce to you our Sills + Co Panama Hats - handmade in Ecuador, the home of the Panama.
"A Panama is a staple for all wardrobes, especially in New Zealand where sun safety is paramount. I wanted to join forces with Panama experts, who share the same values regarding quality, so that we had more control and would be able to offer a great price for our customers by working directly with the makers.”
- Caroline Sills, Sills + Co Founder
Caroline herself selected and sourced these new hats exclusively for Sills + Co - travelling to South America (with Lloyd in tow) to meet our makers in Ecuador. They are a family business that for more than 100 years and five generations has been dedicated to the Panama craft.
The designs are based on traditional Panama hats. Three timeless styles, the Frankie, Amal, and Elle, all made in 100% straw with a classic black hatband.
Featured collection
Panama Hats
From the harvesting to the shaping, each element of the process is done so by hand by indigenous artisans.
The straw is harvested from the palm leaf buds of the native Carludovica Palmata, which are stripped to obtain the soft core, boiled and left in the hot Ecuadorian sun to dry.
The straw is then expertly handwoven. Each piece takes between 2 days to 15 weeks to complete, depending on the size of the brim, weave style and fineness of the straw.
The hats are then processed in the workshop: ironing, shaping and adding the ribbon. They then travel to New Zealand where you will find them in all Sills + Co stores across the North and South island.
FUN FACT
The famous Panama hats do not originate from the country of Panama as the name suggests but have always been traditionally crafted in Ecuador. There is a specific reason why Panama hats come from Ecuador: they are woven from the raw material obtained from fibres of a native plant. In November 1906, the American President Theodore Roosevelt visited Panama to check in on the progress of the Canal. The visit to construction site involved a press photo with the President wearing a white Ecuadorian straw hat. This picture, famously captured by a New York Times reporter which was published all around the world, consecrating the fame and popularity of the Panama hats forever.
Panama Hat Care
Given the handmade, unique nature of our product each hat will vary slightly in size, colour and weave. Because your hat is made with natural fibres it needs to be handled with care.