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 (Founded in Florence in the 1850s, Tesi is one of Italy’s most respected hat makers, renowned for its refined wool and felt fedoras. With more than 150 years of heritage behind the brand, Tesi blends old-world craftsmanship and precision with a sophisticated modern approach to design. Many of these hats are made in small, Limited Edition, batches and inject novelty into each season. 

Sorbatti Founded in Montappone in 1922, Sorbatti has remained family-owned for nearly a century. Experts in wool, linen, and raffia brims, they embody the craftsmanship of a town where hat making is deeply woven into the local culture. Together with Sorbatti, we’ve developed many of our signature stable-brim styles, including stingy brims and packable designs that combine everyday practicality with timeless Italian craftsmanship.

Giuseppe Rio and Giovanni Albano are the heads of two family-run companies whose work reflects the very best of Italian cap making. The Rio family, based in Montappone, Italy, has been crafting caps since 1949, building a reputation for quality and enduring craftsmanship across generations. In Naples, Giovanni Albano continues a tradition that began in 1993, combining authentic Italian techniques with a fresh, modern approach to design. Together, their work represents the balance of heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation that defines our Belfry Italia Caps line.

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 Founded in 1989 by a group of five young entrepreneurs with deep ties to hat making and the regions of Montappone and Massa Fermana, Comlit embodies three generations of passion for the craft. What began with traditional straw weaving has evolved into a globally respected artisan brand, rooted in heritage yet constantly pushing creative boundaries.

Carina Founded in Montappone in 1999, Carina is a relatively young company for the region but 100% certified Italian and rooted strongly in the artisan heritage of its region. Their philosophy is all about “style without borders” absorbing global influences, incorporating cross-cultural details, and producing designs that are both wearable and elegant. 

Hats & Dreams is the creative extension of Cappellificio Vecchi, a family business in Montappone with roots dating back to the early 1900s. Today, under the leadership of Maurilio Vecchi and Fiorangela Dichiari, the company continues to celebrate its four generation heritage, producing hats that are at once romantic, artistic, and impeccably crafted. 

The Hats & Dreams Production Team  

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