Pachacuti Ltd

General information

The Panama Hat is perhaps the ultimate expression of fashion which traverses time. An essential accessory which is quintessentially British in style, a well-aged Panama will reflect the character and journeys of its wearer.

For over two decades, Pachacuti has created hats which are a subtle union of tradition, luxury and sustainability. Combining the heritage of two cultures, a Pachacuti Panama Hat links the creativity of British design with the unique savoir-faire of our Ecuadorian weavers.

Weaving a Panama Hat is high craft. Each of our hats has its own, unique character as it is woven entirely by hand, taking between one day and one month to complete depending on the quality of the weave. The art of panama hat weaving was recently designated ‘intangible cultural heritage’ by UNESCO; an art which embodies the knowledge and skills of weavers in Ecuador dating back some 6000 years.

Unlike the journey taken by most Panama Hats in the world, which pass through many hands before being shipped out of Ecuador, we work directly with our artisans, without the involvement of any middlemen. One of the many benefits of our shorter supply chain is that we can bring you a luxury product at an affordable price.

The historic exploitation of weavers by middlemen means that this timeless skill is under threat. We recognise the importance of maintaining this tradition and encouraging the next generation to see the art of Panama Hat weaving as a viable livelihood. As such, we have always worked to the highest Fair Trade and environmental standards and our supply chain is fully audited and certified under the World Fair Trade Organisation Guarantee System.

Most supply chains have become fractured and the producers are faceless. Pachacuti believes that even in this globalised world, fashion still needs a traceable narrative, and we know that our customers believe this too. Our Panama Hats are woven in the Ecuadorian Andes by a women’s association comprising over 150 skilled artisans, including several weavers over 80 years old. Despite the region’s remoteness and inaccessibility, we have tracked our hats back to the GPS co-ordinates of each weaver’s house.

A Pachacuti Panama Hats symbolises true luxury, a luxury which brings real benefit to everyone involved in its creation. We hope you will wear yours with pride.