The answer is no...
The iconic Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador. The name confusion began in the 1800s, when Ecuador shipped most of its hats to Panama, a strategic hub in international trade routes, and from there the hats were exported globally. The misnomer was further solidified at the 1855 World's Fair in Paris, where they were showcased under the 'Panama' name.
Nicola and Valerie Cranfield recently visited the skilled artisans who craft our collection of authentic Panama hats in Ecuador. It was a joy to meet the makers in their workshop and gain a deeper understanding of the ancient craft and technique that goes into creating these iconic hats.
The method used for weaving Panama hats is an ancestral technique that dates to native communities from as early as 2000 BC, and has been declared an intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO.
These hats are crafted completely by hand and with such care. The weaving process can take between 8 to 12 hours per piece for standard grades. For finer grade hats or special patterns, it can take up to two months per piece.
This is how all hats start. The weavers use dried paja toquilla to weave it into raw pieces, in the grade or pattern needed.
This is how the hats look after the initial weaving. They are raw and unfinished, waiting for the final processes.
Finally, the artisans put the finishing touches on the Panama hats. The result is a classic and breathable hat that provides stylish sun protection for sunny New Zealand days.
