Art Fawcett VS Hall of Fame

[kaosharper1]

Question for everyone with a VS Hat:

Art's hats do not have 'stiffener' is that correct?

I would like to shape my hat and make the shape be 'remembered' by the hat, If i do this with steam will it work with no stiffener?

Now that i've worn it a few days i think i am ready to not be messing with the shape all the time.
Any ideas?

Thanks!
Jeff

If you spray it with distilled water and let it dry you'll get the same effect with less risk of shrinkage.

 

[Lloyd]

That is a fantastic hat. Do you guys always buy it beaver felt? I'm considering upgrading my original rabbit order before he starts making it, but is there an appreciable difference between the two when it comes to Art? Keeping in mind, this will put me into the $400 AUD range for my spending.

I've got one of Art's staple hats and 4 of his beavers. IMHO the beaver is worth the extra $80.00 US. And you don't get the nice hat box or the certificate of authenticity with the staples

 

[Musashi]

Art sells hats other than beaver??? I must have been asleep at the wheel to not know this. I hope my lite felt one is the good one. Its got a box and certificate.. which btw are really classy.

Plus we have two pet rabbits at home.. i wonder if they know my non-VS hats are made of rabbit... I hope not

I've got one of Art's staple hats and 4 of his beavers. IMHO the beaver is worth the extra $80.00 US. And you don't get the nice hat box or the certificate of authenticity with the staples

 

[fluteplayer07]

Art sells hats other than beaver??? I must have been asleep at the wheel to not know this. I hope my lite felt one is the good one. Its got a box and certificate.. which btw are really classy.

Plus we have two pet rabbits at home.. i wonder if they know my non-VS hats are made of rabbit... I hope not

If it cost you $300, it's the good one. I assume Art would warn you if you were about to buy a rabbit felt thinking it was beaver; he is known mostly for having 100% beaver.

 

[Lloyd]

Look on Art's web site at the Sammy D, the Spumoni and the Frankie.
Basically anything that's not $305 or says Staple felt is rabbit and hare felt not beaver.

I don't think it's something that gets advertised a lot. I only found out when I ordered my rust hat and Art called me to say that he had no rust beaver bodies so did I want it in staple instead?

 

[Musashi]

You know, i really appreciate the way Art takes the time to HIDE the stitches that hold the hat band onto the hat. It's this kind of attention to detail that makes me appreciate my VS hat even more.

All my other hats (I have no true vintage ones) just have big stitches right on the 'face' of the band.. at odd spacing intervals, like they just stuck it on there haphazardly. lousy workmanship.

Steaming went well. Hat holds its shape now so i don't have to redo it every time i pick it up. I am a VERY HAPPY CUSTOMER!!!

 

[kaosharper1]

Art sells hats other than beaver??? I must have been asleep at the wheel to not know this. I hope my lite felt one is the good one. Its got a box and certificate.. which btw are really classy.

Plus we have two pet rabbits at home.. i wonder if they know my non-VS hats are made of rabbit... I hope not

Art told me once that the lite felts he used were all beaver. He didn't think lite rabbit was stable enough to hold its shape.

 

[kaosharper1]

New Monte

New Montecristi from Art. This is my first VS panama and brings my Art collection up to 6 though I bought 2 second hand. I wanted a classic panama I could wear with a suit so we went with the classic black band and Art added his signature stripe in red. 5" crown at the highest and 2.5" brim. Its a Medio Brisa with about 300 WPSI or so. I wanted something that could breathe. Thanks Art for another great one. Now I have a panama that won't squash my hair because of my round oval head:

Its supposed to be 90 in Pasadena today so I'll be wearing it!

 

[Redwoodjedi]

New Montecristi from Art. This is my first VS panama and brings my Art collection up to 6 though I bought 2 second hand. I wanted a classic panama I could wear with a suit so we went with the classic black band and Art added his signature stripe in red. 5" crown at the highest and 2.5" brim. Its a Medio Brisa with about 300 WPSI or so. I wanted something that could breathe. Thanks Art for another great one. Now I have a panama that won't squash my hair because of my round oval head:

Its supposed to be 90 in Pasadena today so I'll be wearing it!

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

That's a beauty!!! It should handle 90 degrees and then some. You wear it well and it looks very natural on you. Art is a god!

RJ

 

[HungaryTom]

Its supposed to be 90 in Pasadena today so I'll be wearing it!

Kao,

That is a perfect fit- you wear it well and Art got the perfect proportios for you!!!!

 

[kaosharper1]

Thanks, guys. It didn't get up to 90, but the hat was still perfect!

 

[DRB]

kaosharper1, you look great in that hat.

 

[Jabos]

Great looking Panama Kao. Maybe next Summer for me. Until then, I'll wear my Art felts and sweat.

 

[Musashi]

Got a call from Mr. Fawcett himself last night. Black Cherry felt is on the block
I'm rather excited by this news.

 

[jlee562]

Got a call from Mr. Fawcett himself last night. Black Cherry felt is on the block
I'm rather excited by this news.

Ooh, I eagerly await pics of the final product....I was going to order an Ox Blood, but the black cherry sounds closer to the color I really want.

 

[danofarlington]

Its supposed to be 90 in Pasadena today so I'll be wearing it!

Nice one.

 

[fluteplayer07]

:arated:

 

[ccajackson]

Pure Hat Pornography

I promised myself that I would view all posts to date before writing. And after several days of misused time (from others' perspective), I have accomplished my goal and have this to say:

Y'all should be ashamed of yourselves!

Posting image after image of these seductive creations - you're liable to turn casual fedora wearers (like me) into single-minded fanatics who now have to justify purchasing one, or more, Art Fawcett masterpieces (like me, now!).

I own two fedoras, a Stetson and a Miller Hats creation (by Biltmore), and now realize that I MUST have an all-purpose gray (so far Blue Smoke and Granite are the front runners) to replace one of the toppers that doesn't fit too well. I guess I'll just have to run through all the pages again to send Art some ideas on what I like...then leave it up to him. Oh yeah, and a Montecristi for Art to block - the search for which initially led me to this excellent forum.

Thank you for posting this incredible collection of creations, truly a fitting tribute to an excellent artisan.

With any luck, I'll be posting pictures of some Art Fawcett originals in the future - how near a future will depend on the in-house CPA (aka better half)!

Cheers!

C-C

 

[Musashi]

Posting image after image of these seductive creations - you're liable to turn casual fedora wearers (like me) into single-minded fanatics who now have to justify purchasing one, or more, Art Fawcett masterpieces (like me, now!).

hahaha!
I joined this board in December! I now am looking up at 6 fedoras (of varying brands and quality) on the wall.. and another one being created by Art right now. this place truly does turn you into a monster!

 

[ccajackson]

New Montecristi from Art. This is my first VS panama and brings my Art collection up to 6 though I bought 2 second hand. I wanted a classic panama I could wear with a suit so we went with the classic black band and Art added his signature stripe in red. 5" crown at the highest and 2.5" brim. Its a Medio Brisa with about 300 WPSI or so. I wanted something that could breathe. Thanks Art for another great one. Now I have a panama that won't squash my hair because of my round oval head:

Its supposed to be 90 in Pasadena today so I'll be wearing it!

Great photos - a wonderful looking Panama! Out of curiosity, how did it do in the 90 degree heat? I lived in Pasadena for a year, and recall some of those days! I'm looking into one or two Panamas, and want one of them to be on the cooler side for the wicked hot days (only 3 years in Boston, and I'm picking up the localisms!).

Cheers!

C-C