Panama hats are often thought to originate from Panama in Central America, but in fact they originate from Ecuador in South America. The high-quality toquilla palm used as raw material grows wild in some areas of Ecuador and its export is prohibited, so all Panama hats (toquilla hats) and the hat bodies used to make Panama hats are made in Ecuador.
Region of origin and weavers’ craftsmen
Panama hat bodies are woven all over Ecuador, but the highest grade hat bodies have been woven by skilled craftsmen in the town of Montecristi and its surrounding villages for generations, where the temperature and humidity are ideal for processing the raw material, the toquilla palm. The name “Montecristi” is therefore synonymous with high-grade Panama hats. The weaving technique is handed down from parents to children, and only a handful of craftsmen are able to weave high-grade hat bodies due to economic circumstances and individual qualities.
Legend of Panama hat bodies weavers, Mr Simon Espinal.
In the world of Panama hat bodies weavers, Mr Simon Espinal is a master of the art. The Panama hat bodies he weaves are silky smooth, supple and strong. Due to the fineness of the weave, production is limited to one or two pieces per year.
Panama hat bodies are graded according to the number of weaves, with the most common Panama hat bodies being of grade 2-3 and Montecristi’s high-grade ones of grade 24-35, while the Panama hat bodies woven by Mr Simon Espinal are of grade 50-60.
Custom-made hats with Panama hat bodies from the Espinal family
Simon’s skills are carried on by his family, who are the only Espinal family of craftsmen who can weave Panama hat bodies of grade 36 and above. Kaori Millinery offers custom-made hats with premium-quality Panama hats woven by the Espinal family and finished with the skills of milliner Kaori Maeda.
Espinal Family Panama Toquilla Palm Hat
Estimated delivery date 1 to 1.5 years (delivery time depends on the grade)
Approximate basic charges Hand-woven by Mr Simon Espinal himself : ¥9,000,000~ SS : ¥4,000,000~ S : ¥3,000,000~ A : ¥2,500,000~ B : ¥1,500,000~
Montecristi
Estimated delivery date 6 months to 1 year
Approximate basic charges Ultra Fine+:¥1,13,000〜 Ultra Fine:¥860,000〜 Super Fine+:¥700,000〜 Super Fine:¥570,000〜 Fine+:¥450,000〜 Fine:¥370,000〜