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 For
decades, Baron Hats is proud to have provided
only the highest quality Montecristi Finos to Hollywood productions and entertainment
industry luminaries.
These hats are hand-woven by a select
group of artisans from the village of
Montecristi, Ecuador, an area know for
the finest straws and the most exquisite
craftsmanship
in the world. From harvesting the raw plants (paja toquilla)
to shaping
the finished product, the supremely dedicated
Master Weavers (Tejedores) employ the
most exacting and laborious hand processes
to weave the perfect blend of nature and
art in a glorious marriage which results
in hats of transcendent quality.
When
one feels a Montecristi, its texture is
so elegantly pure, supple, and superfine,
you cannot help but be astonished that
they are woven by hand! |
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Today the lure of other, less demanding
crafts has caused the number of Tejedores
to dwindle. It is, therefore our fervent
mission to keep the magic of the craft
and art form alive by making Montecristi's
available to everyone.
Toward this end, Baron Hat's owner and
Master Hat maker, Mark Mejia, travels
to
Montecristi several times a year
and works very closely with the Tejedores,
commissioning new creations,
and selecting
the very best hats for our clients. In
this way we endeavor to encourage these
Master Weavers to pass along the tradition
to the next generation as their forefathers
have done for centuries. |
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Because of the tight weave and fine line-like
texture, these hats take from two to eight months
to complete. 
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Each hat is personally hand selected by Mark
Mejia in his visits to Ecuador. Mr.
Mejia deals exclusively in these fine hats and
has observed the craftsmen at every stage in the
creation of these hats.
Your Montecristi Panama Hat will surely
take its place as one of your
most treasured belongings and can
be passed down from generation to
generation!
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These
individual, handcrafted
masterpieces are priced according to the grades of
color and straw, tightness of the weave, fineness of
the straw and are initialed by the artisan.
A certificate of Authenticity also accompanies each
hat.
Sizes 6 7/8 to 7 3/4
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HOW
BARON HATS SELECTS YOUR MONTECRISTI
Each
and every Montecristi
is unique. So when grading
Montecristi's we employ
the following criteria;
first, the tightness of
the weave, meaning the
more strands per square
inch, the better. Next
is the weight of the hat
body; generally lighter
is preferred. Third, is
the uniformity and consistence
of the color; the finest
have a pure quality and
luminescence. Fourth,
the number of vueltas
or rings in the interior
of the crown. and finally,
the quality of the "backweave"
at the edge of the brim.
Each one of these styles
of Montecristis is available
in four different qualities
or grades, and for the
first time ever, we also
offer three levels of
the highest grade known
as "Museum Quality"
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Every Montecristi is shipped
with a
Certificate
of Authenticity
and
a Lifetime
Warranty for cleaning
and reblocking.
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Expert
CUSTOM CLEANING, REPAIRING,
AND REBLOCKING of all grades
and
brands of hand-woven Panama's
is also available. Please Email
for Details
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