ORIGIN
STORY OF PANAMA HAT
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
Western coast of Ecuador holds an enormous land filled with Toquilla leaves. Grown in the best climate where the salt water from the coast blends with the ever shining Sun. Centuries ago where shades were only that of trees, citizens of Ecuador decided to auchestrate such nature gift into a Hat. Each region with its own weaving style eventually formed what is now nown as PANAMA HAT.
An art born from the need to avoid the strong sun beneath the equator, is passed down to newer generation. Often seen on people that are famous, was originally used by citizens of Ecuador hundreds of years ago.
What started as a simple way to block the sun, now symbolizes countless figures. As fashion evolves classic fashion tend to get left behind. However thats not the case for Panama Hats, proven to remain strong in fashion industry over the past few decades. Minor changes never impact the impression for the hat, as BRISA WEAVE(Types of weave) creates the core context of Ecua-Andino culture.
LEGEND
Theodore Roosevelt
Since 1630, Ecuadorian hats, known as Panamas, have covered many renowned heads including Napoleon, Winston Churchill, Paul Newman, Sean Connery, Ines de la Fressange, Katy Perry and others.
In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt, wore this Ecuadorian hat while visiting the construction site of the Panama Canal. His picture was displayed all around the world making his headgear famous and referred to as the “Panama Hat”. Ecuadorian craftsmen use the finest selected natural straws from Toquilla Palm (Carludovica Palmata) to elaborate each hat. This process can take between one week to six months, depending on the delicacy of the weave and the straw.
Today, Ecua-Andino Hats is represented by the greatest ambassadors in the best fashion stores around the globe.
Ecua-Andino Hats
+593(0)42282500 ext(116)
Ciudadela Albatros
Mz 28 S 4
Guayaquil, Ecuador