In a time where traditions have faded, where people avoid eye contact on the streets and heads remain barren & cold, four women have set out on an adventure to revive tradition, to unify the people and to “Bring the Hat Back.”

Traditions... So hard to remember... Let’s go back in history to 1918 to a time when a man did not leave his house without his pocket watch, handkerchief and hat. He would tip his hat to strangers passing the other way. He would remove his hat in the presence of ladies, while in a building, or before someone of important stature. With the new millennium, the old will come creeping back and tradition will be sought after. In order to trace back to the time where elegance started, we must look to our forefathers, mentors, and creators of class, style, and the quality of the craft.

Paul's Hat Works was opened and ran by Napoleon Marquez from from 1918 to 1955. He came to the US from Peru, having grown up around the Ecuadorian tradition of weaving panama straw hats. He passed the legacy to his godson Kelley Bowling, who ran it with his wife Stephanie for many more years. The third generation to own Paul’s Hat Works was Michael Harris and his wife Judy. Michael became the owner in 1980, but 28 years later he was ready to retire and paint the coasts of California. Michael looked for a successor, sure that only a knight in shining armor could continue the 91 year old legacy.

Low and behold four young ladies of the neighborhood rose to the occasion. With a collective history in fashion, textiles, costuming, invention and co-operative buisness, the four ladies filled the role of knight in shining armor well. Abbie Dwelle, Wendy Hawkins, Olivia Griffin and Kirsten Hove took the shop over from Michael Harris in June of 2009. The ladies apprenticed with Michael, learning the craft of making hats, and of their oral history. What the shop has traditionally made are classic, quality, custom hand crafted panama straw and beaver felt hats. The ladies aim to continue this tradition. Most of these classic straw and felt hats are co-designed by customers themselves, after we have taken their needs, specs, and conformiteur into consideration.

The new Paul’s Hat Works transcends simple monetary purposes and now is not only a hat shop, but a space that transports you back to 1918, serves you coffee, teaches you about hats, and offers open studio and gala opportunities for customers, neighbors, and friends alike.

Paul's Hat Works does not currently sell our hats online. Since we specialize in custom making each hat, meeting our customers is a crucial step in the process. We do things the old-fashioned way, from meeting every customer in person to using tools and methods that are over a hundred years old. However we can work with you over the telephone and email to plan your custom hat.

Interested in wholesaling with Paul's Hat Works? Give us a call on the telephone at (415) 221-5332