Art Fawcett is one of a handful of bespoke hatmakers remaining in the United States. Based in rural Oregon, his VS Custom Crafted Hats web site is more proof that great craftsmen can use the web to attract a clientele from all over the world.
My colleague AlanC recently took delivery of one of Fawcette's first 'Tropic-Aire' fedoras in natural felt. Unlined, it has a weight of just 3 ounces (a third lighter than standard). The high crown complements his face perfectly.
Hatmaking is a labor of love for Fawcett. He pays about $100 for a hat body and it takes him 8-10 hours to block and hand finish a $300 felt, so he's earning about $20 an hour. He uses nothing but pure beaver felts, new high grade leather sweats and pre-war vintage ribbon made from wood pulp instead of synthetics so it conforms closely to the shape of each hat. He starts the process by sending his customer a "conformer" device that gives him a precise measurement of the to-be-hatted head. And when he's done, he signs each hat by hand. Recommended.
Hatmaking is a labor of love for Fawcett. He pays about $100 for a hat body and it takes him 8-10 hours to block and hand finish a $300 felt, so he's earning about $20 an hour. He uses nothing but pure beaver felts, new high grade leather sweats and pre-war vintage ribbon made from wood pulp instead of synthetics so it conforms closely to the shape of each hat. He starts the process by sending his customer a "conformer" device that gives him a precise measurement of the to-be-hatted head. And when he's done, he signs each hat by hand. Recommended.
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