Custom
A custom hat by Alanah Hope has endless possibilities. With several choices of fur felt and straw, you will also be choosing the crown shape, crown height, brim width, brim shape, hat liner, sweatband, and finishing with countless options of hat bands and accessories!
I will guide you through the decision making process in designing your hat. Whether you saw a hat in a movie that you'd like to recreate, or perhaps you have a sentimental piece of jewelry from mom or a fishing lure from dad that you'd like to incorporate, we will work together to make the perfect "masterpeet" that is uniquely yours!
What to Expect
When you are ready to begin designing your hat, fill out the questionnaire below. After reviewing your form, I will contact you to schedule a consult.
At the first consult, I will take measurements and record the shape of your head. *Your custom hat will be made to the exact size and shape of your head. We will also start discussing your vision and making decisions for your design! A 50% deposit will also be due at this time.
After the first consult, I will begin making your hat! Check out the "Learn about the hatmaking process" page to learn more. I will give you frequent updates as I finish each stage.
If you are a local client, I will schedule a final consult once your hat has been blocked, trimmed, pounced, and shaped- to ensure your sweatband and hat fit to your liking. Once approved, your hat is almost finished!
You will receive your one-of-a-kind, heirloom-quality hat along with a band block that has been cut to your specific head shape and size, in an Alanah Hope Artisan Hatmaker hat box.
*The band block should be placed in the hat when you are not wearing it to help preserve your custom shape.
Lead Time
Dependent upon your design, what I have in stock and what I will need to special order, you can expect your custom hat to take 8-12 weeks, but this will be discussed during the first consult and I will provide updates along the way.
Custom Fee Structure
Straw
starting at $350...
Your choice of Ecuadorian Panama Straw or Guatemalan Palm Leaf. Panama is dressier and more light weight, where as palm leaf is a sturdier and more casual hat.
Rabbit Fur Felt
starting at $650...
Rabbit fur felt is a great choice if you are looking for the most cost-effective option for an heirloom-quality felt. Like beaver and coypu, rabbit fur felt does not degrade like wool felt or synthetic felts do. Rabbit fur felt can also sustain some moisture, but is less durable than beaver or coypu.
50/50 Beaver Blend
starting at $800...
This blend is 50% beaver 50% rabbit and makes for a more durable felt than just rabbit alone.
100% Coypu Fur Felt
starting at $950...
A sustainable alternative to beaver. Gaining popularity- coypu makes a comparable, water resistant alternative to beaver for fur felts. Not only that, coypu/nutria are currently over populated and very invasive creatures that are harming our wetlands. By choosing coypu for your next hat, you can say you are helping the ecosystem!
100% Beaver Fur Felt
starting at $1100...
The hat lover's favorite. Beaver fur felt has been considered the highest quality fur felt and used for centuries. It is completely water resistant and like a fine wine, only gets better with age. With proper care, this hat should outlive you and your children.
Beaver/Chinchilla Blend
starting at $2200...
This fur felt choice is everything stated above about the quality of beaver fur but then made even softer and silkier... Because why not take the highest quality fur and blend it with the softest fur in the world...
This felt feels like butter!
only available in black and natural-a beautiful griege color
Helpful Guides for Designing Your Hat
Crown and Brim Styles:
This is just a guide. Any crown and brim shape can be mixed and matched along with various widths and heights. There are many other styles as well that can be made for you.
A classic teardrop shaped crown!
Named after my sister, Ilissa- my best friend and always a "fan favorite," just like a teardrop crown!
.
This hat features a modern and artistic style crown "sometimes referred to as a "rose petal pinch".
Named after my niece, Isla, one of the most creative and imaginative souls. She has always marched to the beat of her own drum, and that beat is always extraordinary.
French countryside princess vibes! The Emilia is our telescope crown- classy and chic!
This style is named after my niece, Emilia, who wakes up everyday and puts on a dress and has multiple wardrobe changes throughout her day. At seven years old, she knows that when she looks good, she feels good.
A true western hat, featuring a cattleman style crown and a western flanged brim.
This style is named after the horse girl herself, who just so happens to be my bestie since I was eight years old. Although I wouldn't consider Mary a "country cowgirl", she dedicated much of her life to caretaking horses around the world and now lives on her own farm and works for a non-profit centered around farming.
prounounced "zhil-bear", this is our classic fedora style hat featuring a center dent crown with a short, pencil brim.
This style is named after a dapper Luxembourgish man with the greatest style. Gilbert was my landlord in Germany and he taught me all about good food, great wine, and even better company.
Although it looks similar to a teardrop crown from the front, this hat is actually heart shaped which adds a a modern twist and uniqueness.
Named after my late mother, Pamela Marilyn. She is the heartbeat in everything I do, as she was an incredible artist herself.
The Maxine features a diamond shaped crown, similar to a teardrop crown but with straight angles instead of a rounded back.
Named after my aunt and my mom's identical twin, Peggy Maxine. Although she wouldn't call herself bougie, we have always joked that she was the bougie sister.
Featuring an open crown shape!
The Lilly is named after my dear niece, who graced us with her birth in 2016, but shortly thereafter, left us to live perfectly in Jesus' arms. To make an open crown, the felt is blocked (just like all other styles), but instead of hand shaping the crown, it remains in that perfect, open crown shape- just like Lilly who remained perfect and pure throughout her short time on this earth.
Color Charts
Color options depend on the fur you choose but there is a wide range of colors available for rabbit, coypu, and beaver felts.
I have many hat bodies in stock to choose from but if there is another color you'd prefer, we can order it!
Beaver/chinchilla is only offered in black or natural (a beautiful greige).
Hat Bands and Accessories
I have several options of vintage European grosgrain and silks, vintage scarves and fabrics, glass beaded hat bands that have been handmade by women in Guatemala solely for Alanah Hope hats.
I also have beautiful linen, lace, leather and silk trimmings as well as charms, chains, studs, and have burning and hand-embroidery options for you as well!
