Art Fawcett VS Hall of Fame

[deadlyhandsome]

Sent the conformer package Brent, let me know when you can get it back to me?

It’s been shipped. I’m planning on picking them both up in person this summer. Thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[DanO]

The new (to me) Chocolate a little brim tweak, and light pinch, my birthday hat and new favoritte brown.

 

[UnclePete]

oops, sorry guys, I didn't think of that. Brim is 2 1/4 raw, teardrop crease set to 4 1/8th, 19ligne tone on tone

Art,
What is the chance of getting these specs with the dove color.
Peter

 

[Art Fawcett]

I'm sorry Peter but I am completely out of Dove but am still working on getting more dyed.

 

[hulkamad]

Is Art still making Duelists? If so, does anyone know price? Thanks.

 

[jlee562]

Is Art still making Duelists? If so, does anyone know price? Thanks.

I'm the in the queue for one, but didn't bother to ask the price. It'll vary based on the final specs (weave count on the crown) and felt choice.

going with black Milan for mine....I think

 

[belfastboy]

Is Art still making Duelists? If so, does anyone know price? Thanks.

Don't quote me on this but the last time I checked it was $350

 

[Art Fawcett]

You both are correct Gents

 

[Roanoke Jim]

Art
I’ve been away awhile and just saw this post. Take good care of yourself and best wishes on your new plans

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thank you Sir!!!

 

[T Jones]

In late August this year I went for my normal physical and a few days later I got a call from my Doctor saying I had some tests come back “abnormal” and I needed to see a specialist for a biopsy. Scary stuff indeed. So, a week later I had a biopsy of my prostate and discovered that I had a particularly aggressive form of Prostate cancer and it was to be removed immediately or my life would end in 4 yrs or less. So, on November 5th I had the surgery and am learning how to deal with the after effects. The Doctors are confident they got it all and I’m getting better every day. I’ve been back in the shop for a few weeks now but I am still not up to my stamina level.

Please know, I don’t feel alone in this as SO many guys my age have gone through this and have lived long lives afterward. It does, however, make one face mortality in a very serious way. In that light, I have made some decisions as to my future that I need to share.

2019 will be my last year of hatting and VS Custom Hats is officially for sale. Although I still love making hats and am most comfortable in a hat shop ( mine or others, doesn’t matter) I need to look to the future and plan for what will clearly be my physical decline. I am hoping to find someone with enough resources to take over the entire business, train them if necessary, then move to somewhere easier to live. Living in the woods with wood burning heat is a lot more work than a Condo. If I cannot do that, I will most likely liquidate toward the end of the year or early 2020.

I intend to take on commissions until it is clear I won’t be able to fill all orders by the end of the year so please feel free to contact me with your wishes. I expect to stop taking orders by August or September so please be aware.

Please know that I have been incredibly honored and humbled by all of the support I have been given over the years. Who knew that in only 14 years I would be considered an “old timer” in the business. It seems like yesterday I was the new kid on the block looking to gain orders just to get the practice, You newer guys know what I’m saying, practice makes better. Who could have known that I would have clients all over the world, and have so many friends I will never actually meet. How many of us get regular calls from Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East? I would never have guessed making hats would be so rewarding and offer so many opportunities to meet and speak with people that are so accomplished in their lives. Humbled is too soft a word but, that and Thank you are the best I can offer.

Here’s to the future and what new adventures it might bring!!!

Hate to see a legend moving on. Hoping the best ahead for you, Art. Working along side of your son in his business will probably be one of the most rewarding adventures of your life. That said, there was a couple of things that you helped me with and I really appreciate it. Thanks again and good luck.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thanks Terry, I appreciate the sentiments.

 

[AndyR]

Sorry to hear this news Art. Stay well! I was happy to hear the part about working with your son though.

I'll add to what T Jones mentioned. For several years, I worked with my dad in the electronics business that we owned together.

Those were the most cherished years of my life. Priceless really. We still talk about those years. Good luck to you both.

 

[Benny Holiday]

Just saw this after being off for school holidays here with the kids. I only have one custom hat, and it's a silvermist VS that I cherish. On the one hand I'm so glad that you were on top of the diagnosis Art and that you are going onwards and upwards, and on the other hand it's sad to see you hang up the tools. You are the master. Of course you have more than earned a change of pace and to enjoy either retirement or semi-retirement any way you choose to. You've done a lot for and mean a lot to so many members here. I always envisioned getting a whole range of VS hats, but the poor Australian dollar and rising living costs in Sydney (and plummeting living standards, that's a whole other story) meant I just couldn't make it. Now I drastically need to rethink how I can afford at least one more beautiful VS Artwork.

Best wishes to you Art for a happy and healthy future!

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thank you Benny, it was not an easy decision to come to but life has a way of getting in the way of plans. I appreciated the kind words

 

[tropicalbob]

I just got a PM from Art that my navy-blue Milan Landman's body is done and that the hat will be going out next week. I swear, getting that PM from Art is like getting box-seats for a Yankees doubleheader when you're ten years old. I'll be psyched all week.
Also, Art says that he'll be taking orders until next summer. I'll be putting in at least one more.

 

[belfastboy]

I just got a PM from Art that my navy-blue Milan Landman's body is done and that the hat will be going out next week. I swear, getting that PM from Art is like getting box-seats for a Yankees doubleheader when you're ten years old. I'll be psyched all week.
Also, Art says that he'll be taking orders until next summer. I'll be putting in at least one more.

I have been on the fence for a while about the Milan. How is it as a hot weather hat compared to a Panama?

 

[tropicalbob]

I have been on the fence for a while about the Milan. How is it as a hot weather hat compared to a Panama?

Vastly preferable for a number of reasons. First, the "Sunshine State" could just as well be called the "Sudden, Horrendous Downpour State." For about half the year we get an amount of rainfall equal to your neck of the woods, and the storms arise as if by magic over the Everglades and with no warning. After getting caught in a few of those, a white Panama starts looking a little dingy no matter how careful you are, as the rains are often accompanied by winds that blow your Panama off your head and down the wet street. The great thing about the Milans is that they're far easier to maintain and even darken a bit with age into a beautiful golden color, especially in the bright sunlight. I suppose I also prefer them because I see a fair number of Panamas on the heads of tourists (my office being right on the harbor), as they make great souveniers, so I suppose I just like the fact that the Milans are a little different. A number of the Panamas I've seen down here are, I think, essentially paper and feel very flimsy as compared with the Milans.
As far as the "breatheability" of the different materials goes it's hard to say, as I've been wearing the Milans for a number of years and seldom think of it: one thing that's always puzzled me about Panama owners, though, is why someone would spend considerably more money for a finer, denser weave when that is only going to make the hat hotter to wear. L'd say the Milan is about on par with my Peters Bros. hemps when it comes to that factor.
Hope this helps.

 

[belfastboy]

Vastly preferable for a number of reasons. First, the "Sunshine State" could just as well be called the "Sudden, Horrendous Downpour State." For about half the year we get an amount of rainfall equal to your neck of the woods, and the storms arise as if by magic over the Everglades and with no warning. After getting caught in a few of those, a white Panama starts looking a little dingy no matter how careful you are, as the rains are often accompanied by winds that blow your Panama off your head and down the wet street. The great thing about the Milans is that they're far easier to maintain and even darken a bit with age into a beautiful golden color, especially in the bright sunlight. I suppose I also prefer them because I see a fair number of Panamas on the heads of tourists (my office being right on the harbor), as they make great souveniers, so I suppose I just like the fact that the Milans are a little different. A number of the Panamas I've seen down here are, I think, essentially paper and feel very flimsy as compared with the Milans.
As far as the "breatheability" of the different materials goes it's hard to say, as I've been wearing the Milans for a number of years and seldom think of it: one thing that's always puzzled me about Panama owners, though, is why someone would spend considerably more money for a finer, denser weave when that is only going to make the hat hotter to wear. L'd say the Milan is about on par with my Peters Bros. hemps when it comes to that factor.
Hope this helps.

Thank you, had not thought of the whole getting caught in the rain scenario which is not a good bet to make in this neck of the woods.

 

[Bill Hughes]

I just got a PM from Art that my navy-blue Milan Landman's body is done and that the hat will be going out next week. I swear, getting that PM from Art is like getting box-seats for a Yankees doubleheader when you're ten years old. I'll be psyched all week.
Also, Art says that he'll be taking orders until next summer. I'll be putting in at least one more.

I didn’t realize that the Milans from Art could be had in different colors. I thought they were all the wheat color.