The Hat Factory
The Hat Factory is a Cape Town hat manufacturer founded in 1936 as Parisian Milliners by the Fakto family, and today run by local milliner Crystal Birch. The studio produces hats for private clients and local brands, helping to preserve the art of millinery in South Africa. Using traditional techniques, each hat is crafted by hand to order, and the team has created bespoke pieces for designers such as Bubu Ogisi, VIVIERS and Crystal’s own label.
Features
Resources and materials
- Uses predominantly natural fibres: Sinamay, straw, 100% wool felt, and feathers
Making and manufacturing
- Hat-making process uses minimal electricity as hats are blocked with gas and mostly sewn by hand
- Collaborating with Gerber & Co to develop a fully local 100% wool felt–making technique
Product and design
- Offers a Hat Hospital repair service to any hat from any brand
- All felt and sinamay offcuts get reworked into trims
- Every piece is produced on a made-to-order basis
Packaging and distribution
- Uses 100% recyclable packaging
2021 Winner: CMT or Manufacturer Award
Address
42 Newmarket St, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa