Stetson Teams With Westward Leather on Upcycled Hat Capsule
The market for vintage hats is stronger than ever so it’s no surprise that Stetson is jumping into the fray.
The brand, which dates to 1865, has partnered with Ben Fife, owner of Westward Leather Company of Spokane, Washington, on a special upcycled collection.
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The limited-edition line consists of 10 hats in signature Stetson styles including the Open Road. Each hat has been relined and restored using other upcycled materials, and also features a one-of-a-kind hat band created by Fife.
“Ben is an incredibly dedicated and talented craftsman who’s been a friend of the brand for years,” said Tyler Thoreson, vice president of marketing for Stetson. “When he shared his passion for vintage Stetsons and the artistry he brought to restoring them, we immediately knew we wanted to provide a bigger platform for him and his work.”
He said the hats were sourced by Fife from his network of vintage Stetson collectors and date back four, five or six decades. They were “meticulously inspected and ultimately approved by the Stetson team before the upcycling process began.”
The hats will retail from $950 to $1,250 and be available exclusively available on the Stetson website starting Sept. 21.
“Stetson hats have always been crafted to last, and it’s not uncommon to find a vintage Stetson that’s many decades old and still in great shape,” Thoreson said. “This is our first upcycled collection, and given the response we’ve received so far, I’d be highly surprised if it’s our last.”
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