Origin Panama Hats
On January 1881, the construction of a Canal which connects the East and West began. In 1904, USA took control of the project as a strategic interest for this country. Once President Roosevelt visited the Canal in Panama, he saw workers and engineers wore some nice hats. Ecuador exported the hats to Panama, and from there, the hats were shipped overseas worldwide. In 1906, the New York Times wrote an article on the Canal and a picture of President Roosevelt holding a “Panama Hat” was published. That article was read all over the world and gave the international name of “Panama Hat” to the Ecuadorian “Sombrero de Paja Toquilla”.
What is Toquilla Straw?
Toquilla straw, also know as “paja toquilla” in Spanish, comes from the leaves of the Carludovica palmata plant, which is native to the coastal regions of Ecuador. The straw is woven into hats and other items by skilled artisans in Ecuador, and it is a traditional craft that has been practiced for centuries. The best quality toquilla straw hats are still handwoven in Ecuador today, and they are highly valued for their quality and craftsmanship.
Nine Lions
Luxury Panama Hats
The process of the panama hats
Toquilla straw is obtained from the Carludovica Palmata tree, which is endemic to the Ecuadorian coast, especially in the province of Manabí.To craft a toquilla straw hat, the stems or buds are harvested and then go through a series of processes such as preselection, boiling, drying and smoking. Once these steps are completed, it's ready to be woven. The time to take it depends on the fineness of the strands and the season in which the work is done.
Quality Focused