Inside the Wonderful hat studio

Every shape starts on a wooden block. Felt is softened with steam, pulled over the block by hand and left to dry until it holds the line on its own.

The brim is shaped next. It is pressed, steamed and checked against the block again, because a brim that looks right on the bench can sit completely differently on a head.

Trims come last: grosgrain, leather, a narrow ribbon. They are cut to length and stitched by hand so the band follows the crown rather than pulling it out of shape.

We work in small runs. It is slower, but it means every hat is checked, steamed and fitted before it goes into its box.