We import hand-woven panama hats directly from Ecuador by a select group of artisans from two different villages in Ecuador. One is Montecristi in province of Manabi-Ecuador, and the other is in Cuenca-Ecuador, both are areas know for the finest straws and the most exquisite craftsmanship in the world.

From harvesting the raw plants (paja toquilla) to shaping the finished product, the supremely dedicated Master Weavers (Tejedores) employ the most exacting and laborious hand processes to weave the perfect blend of nature and art in a glorious marriage which results in hats of transcendent quality. When one feels a Panama or Montecristi hat , its texture is so elegantly pure, supple, and superfine, you cannot help but be astonished that they are woven by hand!

Today the lure of other, less demanding crafts has caused the number of Tejedores to dwindle. It is, therefore our fervent mission to keep the magic of the craft and art form alive by making Montecristi's available to everyone.

Toward this end, Toquilla Indiancrafts’s owners works very closely with the Tejedores, commissioning new creations, and selecting the very best hats for our clients. In this way we endeavor to encourage these Master Weavers to pass along the tradition to the next generation as their forefathers have done for centuries. Because of the tight weave and fine line-like texture, these hats take from two to eight months to complete. Each hat is personally hand selected by the Ecuadorian family Aulestia Auz. Mr. Raul Aulestia deals exclusively in these fine hats and has observed the craftsmen at every stage in the creation of these hats.

Your Montecristi Panama Hat will surely take its place as one of your most treasured belongings and can be passed down from generation to generation!

These individual, handcrafted masterpieces, or Montecristi Hats are priced according to the grades of color and straw, tightness of the weave, fineness of the straw and are initialed by the artisan. A certificate of Authenticity also accompanies each hat.