Our Story
Fairly Traded Panama Hats since 1978
La Marqueza Hats®
Long established producer of high quality genuine Panama Hats
The UK's leading Genuine Panama Hat company and 1st supplier of authentic handwoven Montecristi Hat, with Ecuadorian heart and British design.
All our customers and brand supporters help the local artisan communities in Ecuador, providing work and a continuation of this heritage weaving craft. Our aim is to prevent this skill disappearing, through the strengthening and appreciation of finest quality products that are entirely handmade, socially responsible and environmentally friendly towards a more sustainable future.
During the whole process, we exercise direct fair trade, this means we make sure the weavers sell their products directly to us eliminating the middleman, thus they receive the fair pay that is necessary for this art to survive.
ETHICALLY SOURCED, SUSTAINABLY MADE IN ECUADOR
Based in United Kingdom, our Creative Director Maria Jose is from Ecuador and uses her experience and passion for the ancestral Panama hat industry, especially Montecristi Hats (considered the best straw hats in the world), hat treasures handpicked by herself, obtained in responsible and considered way, to provide the exclusive curated range of quality products to the most demanding customers who care about the sustainable worldwide luxury.
In 2018 the brand launched a line of handmade straw handbags, Fall/Winter hats and accessories.
