About this project
$171,966
1,379
HANDCRAFTED IN NEW YORK CITY.
Manhattan used to be the center of manufacturing, but not anymore. Every year more and more Manhattan factories are going out of business.
For the last few years, designer Satya Twena and Makins (The Factory) have focused on local manufacturing, preserving the age-old craft of making hats by hand.
Every one of our hats is hand made right here in New York City's Garment District, using techniques developed hundreds of years ago using the highest-quality materials with love, passion and hard work. Our companies have been featured in the following media outlets:
When the Makins factory abruptly closed last month they laid off all of their employees and were going to sell everything off (in pieces). We COULDN'T let this happen. Once an institution like this closes, it can NEVER be re-created.
So we did the ONLY THING we could think of --->WE TOOK A STAND for local manufacturing and bought the Factory.
AND NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP : we need to raise money to get the Factory back up and running fully, hire back the rest of the employees (we hired 3 of 7) and preserve the craft of hand made hats in America.
YOU CAN HELP BY SUPPORTING THIS KICKSTARTER campaign by purchasing one of incredible rewards (see below)
DESIGN YOUR OWN HAT EXPERIENCE:
Watch the MAKINGS OF HAT SERIES...
A SNEAK PEAK OF THE $97 HATS
$197 - $325 : TASTEMAKERS -> LIMITED EDITION COLLECTIONS.
We've paired up with some of the world's most celebrated tastemakers in Food, Fashion & Entertainment to design Limited Edition Capsule Collections, made right here in our NEW YORK CITY factory using traditional Millinery techniques. These EXCLUSIVE hats are ONLY available HERE on Kickstarter.
After the campaign we will follow up with instructions on how to measure your head. Your hat will be made to measure (so your hat is the perfect size).
Wear your support proudly knowing you helped save a New York Fashion institution.
*ROANNE HAT: MADE FROM FLAT FELT (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*GABY BASORA: MADE FROM FLAT FELT (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*JAMIE BECK: MADE FROM FUR FELT VELOUR (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*GAVIN BELLOUR: MADE FROM FURE FELT VELOUR MATERIAL (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*KEVIN BURG: MADE FROM PANAMA (SPRING / SUMMER -> VACATION)
*ERICA DOMESEK - MADE FROM FLAT FELT (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*DEVIN DUNCAN: MADE FROM FUR FELT VELOUR (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*MELANIE DUNCAN: MADE FROM FUR FELT VELOUR (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*MELANIE DUNEA: MADE FROM FLAT FELT (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*SCOTT FELDMAN: MADE FROM FLAT FELT (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*KELLY FRAMEL MADE FROM FUR FELT VELOUR (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*STACY LONDON: MADE FROM FUR FELT VELOUR (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*BRIANNA LIPOVSKY: MADE FROM FUR FELT VELOUR (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*MELANIE DUNCAN: MADE FROM FLAT FELT (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
*LATHAM THOMAS: MADE FROM FUR FELT VELOUR (FALL / WINTER / COOL SPRING)
THE REWARDS:
$1 : HOW TO WEAR HATS PDF (FOR MEN & WOMEN)
If you've EVER had the thought...HATS DON'T LOOK GOOD ON ME...then this PDF is right for you.
In this PDF we'll show you:
How to find the right hat for your face (& head) How to care for your NEW hat What to avoid How to travel with a hat Hat styles to try.
$5 : THE VINTAGE HATBOW (FOR MEN & WOMEN)
When we began moving into the factory we found a treasure trove of vintage hat bows (assorted colors, shapes and sizes) and weren't sure how to use them...So we decided to make them into pins.
How to wear your pin. PIN IT on your...
HAT CAT (or pet) Shirt Headband Handbag
$25 : THE PHOTO TILE // WALL OF SUPPORTERS
There's an empty white wall in our factory that we decided to DEDICATE TO YOU (our incredible generous supportive friends).
When you purchase a photo tile, we will ask you to send us a photo that you would like up on our SUPPORTERS WALL.
Here are some photo ideas. You can send us:
A photo of yourself (with or without a hat) A photo of your grandmother or grandfather who loved hats Your son or daughter (just because you love them) A loved one Your cat, dog, lizard...pet. (maybe even wearing a hat?) A photo of your favorite hat *all photos must be appropriate to make it onto the wall. all photos will be reviewed by our team.
$97 : THE COLLECTION HATS (FOR MEN & WOMEN).
SCROLL TO END OF PAGE FOR MORE IMAGES
Choose your own hat from our incredible collection of Men's and Women's hats (OVER 80% OFF RETAIL).
Right after the Kickstarter campaign, we will send you information on how to measure your head and how to select your hat online from our incredible collection.Both Fall and Summer hats are available.
AND Don't worry we will make sure you get the perfect hat in the right size! GUARANTEED.
SPRING / SUMMER AND FALL / WINTER HATS !!
$450 : DESIGN YOUR OWN HAT WITH A PRIVATE FACTORY TOUR FOR 1
This is a special invitation to meet us at our 5,000 sq ft manhattan factory to design your own custom hat. We'll walk you through the process of how our hats are made.
You'll...
- Select your hat material from our person private material library
- Select your hat shape from our extensive 2,000 vintage hat block library (where you can find shapes from 1920's Paris)
- Meet each of our craftspeople
- And watch as your hat gets made right in front of your eyes
$855 : DESIGN YOUR OWN HAT WITH A PRIVATE FACTORY TOUR FOR 2
This is a special invitation to meet us at our 5,000 sq ft manhattan factory to design your own custom hats. We'll walk you through the process of how our hats are made.
You and your guest will...
- Select your hat material from our person private material library
- Select your hat shape from our extensive 2,000 vintage hat block library (where you can find shapes from 1920's Paris)
- Meet each of our craftspeople
- And watch as your one of a kind hat gets made right in front of your eyes
$1,997 : SPECIAL PARTY FOR 5
This is a special invitation to host your party of 5 at our 5,000 sq ft Manhattan factory to design your own custom hats. We'll walk you through the process of how our hats are made.
You and your guest will...
- Select your hat material from our person private material library
- Select your hat shape from our extensive 2,000 vintage hat block library (where you can find shapes from 1920's Paris)
- Meet each of our craftspeople
- And watch as your one of a kind hat gets made right in front of your eyes
$3,997 : SPECIAL PARTY FOR 10
This is a special invitation to host your party of 10 at our 5,000 sq ft Manhattan factory to design your own custom hats. We'll walk you through the process of how our hats are made.
You and your guest will...
- Select your hat material from our person private material library
- Select your hat shape from our extensive 2,000 vintage hat block library (where you can find shapes from 1920's Paris)
- Meet each of our craftspeople
- And watch as your one of a kind hat gets made right in front of your eyes
$7,994 : CUSTOM THEMED HAT BRUNCH
This is an EXCLUSIVE event only available here to host your party of 10 at Tom Colicchio's Riverpark Restaurant located in Manhattan.
We will work with you to design 10 unique hats for your event. Each guest will leave with a custom made hat, a signature hatbox, a pdf on how to wear hats.
Theme event ideas:
- Tea Party (Alice & Wonderland)
- The Mad Hatter
$97 : THE COLLECTION HATS (FOR MEN & WOMEN). SCROLL TO END OF PAGE FOR MORE IMAGES
JUST A FEW MEN'S AND WOMEN'S HATS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE - WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A PAGE OF IMAGES (CHECK THE UPDATES) - THANK YOU!
Risks and challenges
We've been in the industry for past few years and while acquiring the factory brings it's own risks and challenges; it also mitigates the manufacturing challenge and allows for us to cut down lead times and labor costs.
Having said that, we know there can still be hurdles along the way. We'll always share updates with our community about challenges.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterQuestions about this project? Check out the FAQ
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Funding period
- (31 days)