Description
Our Karen B hat is a wide-brimmed Drop model made from Panama Cuenca, a weave formed from straw strands typical of the city of the same name. Our Salento artisans process the shapeless semi-finished product from Ecuador with the help of water vapor and heat, making the pull by hand on special wooden forms. Through this processing, the material takes on the desired shape of the crown and brim.
The material from which the famous Panama is made follows several processing steps: it is a weaving of strands of "paja-toquilla," a straw made from the leaves of Carludovica palmata, a plant native to Central and South America. The craftsmanship of these straw strands is done entirely by hand and is an important part of Ecuador's cultural heritage; in fact, these ancient production techniques have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Depending on the type and degree of weaving imparted to the straw, Panama takes on different designations and qualities, suffice it to say that the finest ones can involve up to 8 months of manual labor by local artisans.
The hat, now formed, is handled especially gently throughout the process so that it retains the traditional and unmistakable elasticity of panama fibers.
Karen B is a conspicuously feminine hat with a very wide brim in a deep bauxite color and is decorated with a lagoon-colored grosgrain belt creating a perfect contrast. D logo in golden brass. Karen turns out to be a hat with a simple but refined taste, very light and fresh.
It is a timeless hat; its large brim dances lightly creating transparencies and shadow play on the eyes and provides maximum protection from the sun's rays. The golden metal D gives a touch of light and sophistication.
