At Wovenique we partner with artisans in Montecristi and Cuenca Ecuador to bring you the finest quality hats. Every Panama hat is finely handwoven from the straw of the Toquilla palm plant. An art that has been passed down through generations, the making of each hat is meticulous and time intensive. It begins with the harvesting of the toquilla palm leaves. The young leaves are cut, boiled, and sun-dried, after which they are split into fine strands. The weaver then uses these strands to create the hat's foundation, known as the "montecristi." The weaving process involves the careful interlacing of the strands to create various patterns and designs. Once the montecristi is completed selected designs are pressed onto the hats and then left to dry for days and sometimes weeks. A single hat can take just a few weeks to complete while “super fine” Panamas can take several months. At the end of the production process we apply the final styling touches, delivering a timeless classic to your door.