Vintage Sillouettes a touch of class!

[SHARPETOYS]

This is my new fedora that Art Fawcett hand crafted for me. The fur felt blend is beaver, nutria and rabbit. The color is Smokey Mountain Blue. It is size 7 3/8 long oval.

Art blocked this on one of his antique blocks for me. I wanted a 1940s look for the hat, complete with a banded edge, wind string and vintage grosgrain ribbon with hidden stitching. The bow is simply beautiful.

I must say Art is a Master Hatter and i could not be happier. He treats you as if you are gold and his customer service and attention to detail is superb. I can promise you that nothing leaves this hatter's shop that that isn't as close to perfect as possible.

What do you think?
http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/m_hats_fedoras.htm

 

[Renderking Fisk]

I've been pointing more buisness Art's way since I got my Akubra back. He does good work... a true master.

I have new fedora envy now.

 

[MK]

That is a fine looking lid.....but it would be better if we could see it on the noggin it belongs to.

 

[Andykev]

Teriffic Hat

My vote is a moot point, although honesty is one of my core values. Don't think my friendship with Art taints my honest opinion of his work. As a matter of fact, Art trusts my "snobbery" and knowledge (pales by his BTW) to "run things past me" from time to time.

I saw this hat when it was made. I loved it. I loved it so much, I bought a green one just like it (the hat, not the color).

It is one of the nicest "new" hats, and a real good price. Customer service? Well, I am lucky to live 30 minutes away and can drop in for blocking, cleaning, and "buying"/

Great hat!

 

[Nathan Flowers]

Great looking hat, and I especially like the wind trolley. That color looks terrific.

 

[gcollins]

Wow! details, color and the crown lines in silouette look fabulous.

From the photos of Art's hat, he does an especially nice version of this crown--love how it slopes down from front to back. Is that called an F-crown?

I just might need to drop in that store on my next business trip to San Fran.

Regards,
G

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thank you so much for posting this Roger AND for the review. Once in a while even I get it right!!!!
Just let me know when you are coming G, I'll have the coffee on!!

 

[fedoralover]

It looks like a new old stock from the 30s. What a fantastic job.

By the way Art, so far it looks good for my wife and I to make the trip down to the show in Sept. We have our room booked and are looking forward to seeing you and your shop if I can sqeeze in a visit on Monday after the show.

regards fedoralover

 

[Art Fawcett]

Would love to Rich. I'll have your name on the list at the door!!!

 

[jamespowers]

See. The proof is in the putting. I wasn't shading anything when I put those "ads" together.
It looks just like my vintage Whippet---maybe better. If only Stetson was making 'em like this again. I've got to get them to hire Art as a consultant because it is obvious that they forgot what he knows---or maybe they never knew.
Kudos Art. To quote a pop singer: Ya did it again. LOL LOL

Regards to all,

J

 

[Wild Root]

ooooooooooooohhh! Smoky mountain blue. Nice color! Looks right out of the 40's! I guess you could say it's a real "Sharpie"!

Root.

 

[gcollins]

Hi Art:

What can you tell us about the felt you use for the custom hats? I saw from your website that you are not sure of the blend composition. Are these vintage felts?

Regards,
G

 

[Renderking Fisk]

Once in a while even I get it right!!!!

Art... what are you talking about? Nobody's ever complained about your work before? Have they?

 

[Art Fawcett]

G, I'm sorry but I can't. When buying the excess felts from my source I agreed not to reveal where they came from. To give the blend might compromise a relationship this is based on friendship and that I value alot.
What I CAN tell you is that they are very thin and feel like butter!!
Sorry, I hate cloak & dagger crap but I did agree.

I hope to be receiving my new colors from another source that I CAN talk about in the coming days. Like Fedora, I am dealing with an Argentinian company that produces what appears to be very nice quality in several blends. I have ordered lightweight rabbit for my initial order but have access to both 80 nutria/20% rabbitt blend and pure beaver bodies. As the demand for the highest quality hats develops it is very possible that I will devote more resources in that direction. I want to test the source before committing that much money.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Ren, you are right. It's an attitude thing for me. I grew up third generation mason with an old time father that believed you were only as good as the job you were doing, not what you have done in the past. In my masonry I have been very lucky to be associated with and worked on some of the highest profile projects in this country for some of the highest profile people so I have been an unlisted contractor for over 25 yrs and continuously turn work away. I could easily rest on my reputation but I prefer instead to remind myself that even I make mistakes and it keeps me pushing to get better every day. I treat the hat field with the same attitude in that the moment I get cocky about my ability is the moment I will stop being humble and start making mistakes that I know better to do. In short, it's my way of staying humble no matter what the praises.

 

[fedoralover]

Boy this a great time to be into fedora's. New sources for excellent felt and master hatters to turn it into a masterpiece. We have one member who has the Indy fedora down to a science and another who makes vintage replica's that are indistinguishable from hats made 60 years ago. I'm still amazed when I look at the raw hoods on your webpage Art and then look at what it becomes in your hands. I'm anxious to see your shop, I'll be like a kid in a candy store.

regards fedoralover

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Fedoralover Wrote!

I look at the raw hoods on your webpage Art and then look at what it becomes in your hands. I'm anxious to see your shop, I'll be like a kid in a candy store.


The nice thing about Art is he sent me 3 hat bodies to select from not just a felt sample which is hard to judge. He also sent the conformer kit so he could make the "Perfect Hat" for my head size.

The hat is hand pounched, the liner is hand sewn as is the roan leather sweat band. The ribbon and bow is hand sewn with the hidden stitch like Optimo uses.

I saw a very expensive hat well over $500.00 by another hatter and you could see the stitches on the ribbon? You know like the cheaper made hats or those machine made factory hats!! I'm glad i didn't have to shell out that kind of money!!
When you deal with Art you are dealing with the hatter not a salesmen.

Since Art is a real Master Hatter he makes your hat from start to finish ( No one else touches your hat) This way he has complete Quality control of your hat.

Its also nice since he knows Vintage Hats, he has some of the finest vintage hats in his shop to compare your hat to and doesn't have to depend on old pictures from the past.

 

[Andykev]

Originally posted by Art Fawcett
....even I make mistakes and it keeps me pushing to get better every day.

Art, your mistakes are few and far between. And when you do, you eat it. That is to say, you absorb the loss, fix it, and leave ALL your customers happy. That is why you are a success.

..and at least you kept lunch down in the plane! But I promised you no aerobatics!

 

[Andykev]

Originally posted by SHARPETOYS
Fedoralover Wrote!

Since Art is a real Master Hatter he makes your hat from start to finish ( No one else touches your hat) This way he has complete Quality control of your hat.

That's not entirely true. I have "hat room" privliges (ok lunch dates) so I have been able to mostly watch, but to also handle the products. I have argued with Art over ribbon color *he wins mostly * as he really does have a good eye for what works. I'm learing by ozmosis. Luck me, I live 30 minutes from his shop. And a good lunch place is nearby!

One of the things Art and I do is debate the customers reaction to the hat....I've seen it before shipping, and the customer is waiting for the UPS truck to drive up. I always guess "estatic" , Art is usually more reserved as he is very critical, if that word can be used, of his own work. He is a perfectionist...which has carried thru from his other businesses, and work ethic.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

AndyKev wrote.

Art is usually more reserved as he is very critical, if that word can be used, of his own work. He is a perfectionist...which has carried thru from his other businesses, and work ethic.


Kevin,
You hit the nail on the head. Art never runs any other hatters down or his customers. The buck stops here with Art.

If you looked the word Gentlemen up in the dictionary, you'll see Mr. Fawcett's picture!

He gives you simply the best hat he can make you! He lets his work and his clients speak for him. Not his mouth.:cool2: