Description
The Portofino is a Drop hat made of Panama Fine, i.e. a Panama Cuenca grade 20 and has the traditional herringbone weave. This type of Panama is particularly prized and gives the hat a peculiar tightness, elasticity and refinement. The Portofino is white, the natural colour of Panama, and comes with a grosgrain and cotton belt in green, grey and blue.
Panama grade 20 indicates a very fine weave that is achieved by braiding the threads 2 by 2. The work carried out by these craftsmen is exclusively by hand and covers all the weaving grades of the chapel. Panamas of a lower grade, i.e. with a less fine weave, are also an excellent choice for those who want to get closer to the classic but cheaper Panama weave.
The next step after Panama weaving is shaping. Steam and the dexterity of our craftsmen are the fundamental components of this process. At this stage, the hat is given the desired shape through the use of steam and ironing, carried out exclusively by hand on wooden forms. This process ensures that the hat is always elastic and malleable, while the air helps to fix the shape.
Panama Hat: History
The material used for this hat is Panama and has an incredible history. It is woven from threads of "paja-toquilla", a straw made from the leaves of the Carludovica palmata plant, typical of tropical America. These threads are collected in the towns of Montecristi and Jipijapa by artisans scattered in small villages and then sold as plaits in the city of Cuenca.
The tenderest shoots of the plant are washed, boiled, dried in the sun and then left to rest in the night breeze. This process produces the natural colour typical of Panama. The final step is to dye the straw in baths of natural tones, allowing the chapel to have the desired colour.
Panama's craftsmanship is completely handmade and is an important part of Ecuador's cultural heritage. Its ancient production techniques were recognised in 2012 as a UNESCO Intangible World Heritage Site. Depending on the type and degree of weaving given to the straw, Panama takes on different names and qualities. The finest quality can involve up to eight months of manual labour by local weavers.
