Meet The Master Craftsmen

Our collections are shaped in small, family-run workshops where hat making has been passed down and refined over generations. These aren’t faceless factories, they’re places where skill, patience, and pride are stitched into every piece. To bring our ideas to life and make hats of true quality, we partner with the people who have been leading for decades, the same very artisans trusted by the world’s top fashion houses and luxury retailers, and have them do what they do best: create exceptional hats. For us, it’s never just business. Over time, those partnerships have grown into friendships, rooted in respect for their craft and a shared belief that true luxury is built by hand, one hat at a time. Let’s take you behind the brim and introduce you to some of the remarkable makers we’re proud to call our partners.

Italy: Where Hat Making is a Family Tradition

Italy has long been the beating heart of fine hat making. Many of our Italian partners started as small family businesses in the early-to-mid 20th century, and today they’re run by second, third, or even fourth generations who carry the craft forward. Our entire Belfry Italia Collection has been developed and refined over the past several years by working closely with these incredibly families, who always deliver impeccable quality and beautiful designs.  

Tesi (Florence, est. 1850s) is one of Italy’s most respected hat houses, known for its refined wool and felt fedoras. With roots stretching back over 150 years, Tesi combines old-world precision with a modern design eye. 

Sorbatti (Montappone, est. 1922) has been family-owned for nearly a century. They’re experts in wool, linen, and raffia brims, and Montappone itself is a town with hat making in its DNA. 

Hats & Brothers is another Italian workshop rooted in generational knowledge, where craftsmanship is treated as a family inheritance.

Daniele From Sorbatti hats with Skip "Mr.Belfry" on the rich history of Italian hat making and Hats in the Belfry partnership.

The Montappone Collection: Women’s Italian Makers

In Montappone, a small town nestled in the Marche region, hat making isn’t just an industry, it’s a way of life. Families have been shaping brims and crowns here for generations, passing down their techniques and traditions like heirlooms. It’s from this remarkable community that our women’s collections come. 

Complit brings bold creativity and modern Italian style to traditional hat forms. 

Ferruccio Vecchi blends heritage craftsmanship with contemporary fashion, creating statement pieces that are both elegant and wearable. 

Carina has built a reputation for graceful, feminine designs that still honor Montappone’s artisanal roots. 

Hats & Dreams embodies the imagination and artistry that Montappone has become known for, offering pieces that feel timeless yet fresh. 

The Hats & Dreams Production Team  

USA: A Legacy of American Craft

Closer to home, we’re honored to work with some of the oldest and most respected American hat makers. Our Handmade for Belfry Collection took shape as we walked the production floor of our domestic partners and has since expanded into Ecuador. It includes all the true classics and silhouettes as well as wearable modern styles.  

Bollman Hat Company (Pennsylvania, est. 1868) is America’s oldest hat maker still in operation. With over 150 years of history, Bollman is living proof that heritage craftsmanship never goes out of style. 

Korber (est. 1924) has spent a century perfecting the art of shaping and finishing hats, bringing precision and pride to every piece. 

These American partners may be small in size, but they are giants in tradition, carrying forward a legacy of dedication to craft.

Ecuador: The Soul of the Panama Hat

Finally, we couldn’t talk about our partners without mentioning Bigalli (est. 1920s). Based in Ecuador, Bigalli is one of the true keepers of the Panama hat tradition. To this day, their artisans weave toquilla straw by hand, a process that can take days or even weeks for a single hat. This is craftsmanship recognized by UNESCO as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” and Bigalli plays a vital role in keeping that tradition alive.

More Than Partners

What makes all of these companies special isn’t just their history, it’s their humanity. They are still, to this day, family businesses. Many of the owners and artisans we work with learned the craft from their parents or grandparents. When we visit, we don’t just talk about production; we share meals, walk through their towns, and celebrate milestones together. That personal connection matters. It means every collection we bring you isn’t just designed with quality in mind, but with care, tradition, and trust at its heart. These hats are more than accessories, they’re the result of friendships, stories, and generations of dedication