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A fascinating early Brent Black Montecristi Panama hat from the period before he transitioned to the direct-to-customer business for which he would later become internationally known.
This hat dates to Black’s earlier Hawaii retail era, when his Montecristi hats were sold through retail stores rather than commissioned directly by individual customers. The interior retains its original “The Panama Hat Company of the Pacific – Honolulu, Hawaii” branding, making this an especially interesting surviving piece from that formative period.
The hat itself is a beautiful traditional Montecristi classic Optimo, handwoven in Ecuador from genuine toquilla straw. It features a fine, attractive and remarkably consistent weave, particularly evident when viewed against the light. The natural straw has a warm, appealing tone and is finished with a simple black grosgrain ribbon for a classic, understated appearance.
Branding: The Panama Hat Company of the Pacific – Honolulu, Hawaii
Associated Maker: Brent Black
Material: Handwoven Montecristi toquilla straw
Origin: Ecuador
Retail Origin: Honolulu, Hawaii
Style: Panama / Classic Optimo
Era: Early Brent Black / pre-direct-to-customer period
More than simply a beautiful Montecristi, this hat represents an early chapter in Brent Black’s career, before he shifted away from traditional retail distribution and developed the specialized direct-to-customer Montecristi business for which he became known. For a collector of fine Panama hats or Brent Black’s work, that history makes this a particularly unusual piece.
