We continue – even in this current economy – to scour the hat universe in search of makers that bring something new to our broad selection. We look for hat companies that are well run, and smart. Our business bias is the "small is beautiful" philosophy; we appreciate companies that maintain a "human" scale of operations. We feel that hat makers that meet this standard deliver the most superior value to our customers. Furthermore, we distribute something unique.
Enter Hills Hats of NZ, whom we have proudly introduced to the fold. In 1875, Charles Hill established Chas Hill & Sons, Men's Hatters on Lambton Quay in Wellington, becoming New Zealand's leading gentlemen's hat stockists for over 50 years. Charles produced a prestigious hat catalogue in 1897, illustrating the most comprehensive range of headwear and representing all the finest English and European brands. (A copy of this is in the archives of the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington). From HH of NZ: “… we know when you live in a land where being in the great outdoors is as much a way of life as it is a necessity, simple things like a good hat become valued commodities as much as essential companions. That's why we ensure each hat we make lives up to the expectations of our toughest customer, ourselves."
In doing business with Hills Hats of New Zealand, we quickly became aware of the fact that the product – the quality of the materials and the craftsmanship – was what mattered most to them. It felt like buying hats the way it was done in the good old days: carefully, one style at a time.
