Alexander Westwood is a Los Angeles based hat maker that specializes in custom made wide brim fedora and western style hats. Each hat is built from the finest heavyweight hare/beaver fur felts using antique tools and consciously sourced materials which are cut, sewn, assembled, and finished by hand. Thank you for choosing Alexander Westwood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s your background?
I started building hats when I was unsatisfied with what else was out there. The hats I found were seasonal fashion accessories, and didn’t have the right quality, shape, proportions, and styling I was looking for. I wanted to create something practical, yet beautiful, to be worn year after year and then passed down. Like a mechanical watch or a classic car, I wanted to create something timeless, and worth repairing. I’m an engineer by education and by trade, and I’ve always worked with my hands, so it was a natural progression.
Why wide brimmed, western hats?
I spent a few years experimenting with all styles of hats and found that the wide brim western style hat is a perfect balance between form and function. There’s a reason that cowboys of the American West preferred this style of hat – the wide brim keeps the sun and rain off of the face, and the tall crown creates an insulating layer that keeps the head warm in the cold and cool in the heat. As far as aesthetics go, the wide brim and tall crown gives me a larger canvas to work with, and I’m able to create something that’s more impressionable than other styles of hats.
What type of materials are used?
I focus on sourcing American, sourcing local or sourcing vintage. Most of the design details such as hatbands are one-of-a-kind that use ribbon or fabric that I’ve found at antique markets or vintage stores. I find that using quality natural materials such as pure cotton Petersham ribbon age better and last longer.
What’s your aesthetic theory like?
The hat, materials, and build quality are made to last a lifetime - therefore I tailor my designs so that the hat style itself is timeless. This involves a careful modern interpretation of classic styles. I shape the hat crown to give a bold, upright profile, and usually choose a flat, rigid brim. Like a pair of raw jeans, I like to give the wearer an opportunity to mold the hat over time to make it his or her own hat.
Where do you usually get inspired?
My inspiration usually comes from three places: American Western art, natural furniture, and textile/weaving arts. I have a few favorite western artists such as Teal Blake and Mark Maggiori that are able to capture the romance of the American West. With furniture, I love studying George Nakashima furniture – furniture that is built so simple and is so at peace with its natural surroundings that it is exemplary. And there’s something fascinating about weaving arts, such as Moroccan rugs or Navajo blankets, where craftsman make an item that’s used daily but also incredibly beautiful. I try to instill these philosophies in every hat I make.
Whats the build process like?
The crafting process is deeply collaborative with the client due to its fully customizable nature, and one of the most important details I need is to understand where, when, and how you are wearing the hat. This helps to adapt my style of hat with your vision. The process usually starts with a visit to my workshop to take head size and shape measurements, trying on a few ready-made hats to get an idea of proportions, and viewing swatch samples under different lights. If you’re outside my locale, I like to have a conversation to provide design guidance. Build times for each hat are usually 6-8 weeks.
Can you do _________?
All customizations (within reason) are included in the price. If you have a new, interesting idea, I want to hear about it and try it!
What don’t you do?
Small brims. Short crowns.
How do I get started?
Check out the ordering guide for more details on the build process, or head over to the shop page if you’re ready to get started! The process is collaborative so you don’t need to know any details to get started. I’ll reach out to you to guide you through the design process.
For any other questions, reach out below: