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Anyone know anything about this hatmaker Daquino?

deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,937
Location
Central California
Well, I went ahead and ordered another D'aquino. I think that's the best indicator of my evaluation of their work and the value. I'm on Gannon's waiting list but I get to design a custom with Luisa to hold me over. The biggest change in the next hat is the brim binding will match the felt color and the brim will be a full 2.75 inches. I paid for the hat, and now I'm waiting for side-by-side photos of the colors I'm interested in. I'm leaning toward light grey. She is also looking for some grosgrain ribbon in the width and color I've asked for.

I've also asked for a better quality sweat and I've offered to pay a surcharge for it. I hope that is a request she can accommodate as her standard sweat isn't impressive.

This is a busy time of the year so I'm expecting a 6-8 week wait for delivery which still isn't bad.




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RJR

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
deadlyhandsome said:
Well, I went ahead and ordered another D'aquino. I think that's the best indicator of my evaluation of their work and the value. I'm on Gannon's waiting list but I get to design a custom with Luisa to hold me over. The biggest change in the next hat is the brim binding will match the felt color and the brim will be a full 2.75 inches. I paid for the hat, and now I'm waiting for side-by-side photos of the colors I'm interested in. I'm leaning toward light grey. She is also looking for some grosgrain ribbon in the width and color I've asked for.

I've also asked for a better quality sweat and I've offered to pay a surcharge for it. I hope that is a request she can accommodate as her standard sweat isn't impressive.

This is a busy time of the year so I'm expecting a 6-8 week wait for delivery which still isn't bad.




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Click to expand...
Sounds interesting.I'm anxious to see what she can do .
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,937
Location
Central California
Luisa is back to taking a week or more to answer her emails.

I've asked her several times about getting me an upgraded sweat. She made one vague reference about asking her vendor if it was possible but otherwise she has ignored my pointed questions. I'm now two days passed the quoted ship date for my last hat order and I have yet to receive an email addressing this or the photos of the hat before shipping.

I'm concluding that this is just their way of doing business. You accept it or you don't; but it's not going to change. I'm alright with most of it as long as the delays are not too excessive and the hat arrives as specified. If you want lots of involvement in the design and details D'aquino is not your hatter. I thought I already knew this, but it's been reinforced that you shouldn't have too high of expectations and you won't be too disappointed. I was contemplating yet another hat from her, sage green, but I decided to go with a new Stetson Premier Stratoliner. My next customs are going to be Gannons (I got on his wait list just when he broke his leg). I don't have anything against D'aquino and I might go back to her at some point, but for now I'm taking a break.


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blueAZNmonkey

blueAZNmonkey

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
San Diego, CA
deadlyhandsome said:
Luisa is back to taking a week or more to answer her emails.

I've asked her several times about getting me an upgraded sweat. She made one vague reference about asking her vendor if it was possible but otherwise she has ignored my pointed questions. I'm now two days passed the quoted ship date for my last hat order and I have yet to receive an email addressing this or the photos of the hat before shipping.

I'm concluding that this is just their way of doing business. You accept it or you don't; but it's not going to change. I'm alright with most of it as long as the delays are not too excessive and the hat arrives as specified. If you want lots of involvement in the design and details D'aquino is not your hatter. I thought I already knew this, but it's been reinforced that you shouldn't have too high of expectations and you won't be too disappointed. I was contemplating yet another hat from her, sage green, but I decided to go with a new Stetson Premier Stratoliner. My next customs are going to be Gannons (I got on his wait list just when he broke his leg). I don't have anything against D'aquino and I might go back to her at some point, but for now I'm taking a break.


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Click to expand...
I've had a similar experience with D'Aquino. Like you, I would still lean toward a "positive" rating of the shop overall whilst resolving to find other means for procuring custom hats. With Luisa, I would give every single specification in bullet form in my intro email then wait for a response. Usually a couple days to a week later I would get a reply. I don't own any Gannons but based on everyone's stellar reviews, I think you'll enjoy the entire experience.
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,937
Location
Central California
As requested, Luisa sent me a photo of one of her green hats for comparison:

40a0fef75eb524e1fa331e5155c54f40.jpg



I still can wrap my mind around the fact that Frunobulax's hat from June 2015 is "tan."

0f225f4bd618b3c9a75ee05ab4f79abf.jpg


Luisa confirmed that it was indeed tan. Maybe the word doesn't translate to Portuguese?


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Last edited:
Perry Underwood

Perry Underwood

One of the Regulars
Messages
100
Location
Taiwan
When I saw Luisa's photo in the "sage green" thread of the green hat that you posted, I went back and forth looking at Frunobulax's hat and that photo. I wondered if it was the same color but in different lighting. I tend to prefer the "tan" of Frunobulax's hat to the green.

This may seem like an odd question, but how does one begin working with Luisa? Do you first order and pay for a hat and then work on what you want, or do you get all the details worked out and then place the order.
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,937
Location
Central California
Perry Underwood said:
When I saw Luisa's photo in the "sage green" thread of the green hat that you posted, I went back and forth looking at Frunobulax's hat and that photo. I wondered if it was the same color but in different lighting. I tend to prefer the "tan" of Frunobulax's hat to the green.

This may seem like an odd question, but how does one begin working with Luisa? Do you first order and pay for a hat and then work on what you want, or do you get all the details worked out and then place the order.
Click to expand...

All of can say is how I've done my two orders.

I emailed her with questions about what was possible and got a couple of photos of hat colors. I them paid for the hat and provided very specific bullet points outlining what I wanted:
Open crown
6.0 inch crown
Felt color
2.75 inch wide bound brim
Brim binding width
Brim binding color
Ribbon width and color
Liner (I asked that it not be glued in)
Etc.

She sent a response that she could do what I wanted. After two weeks I received photos of the completed hat. I approved. Ten more days and the hat arrived.

My current order is taking longer as I asked for a ribbon color and width that she did not have on hand. I also asked for an upgraded sweatband (not sure what she's doing with that as she does not address my questions asking her about it).

One last thing: Frunobulax's hat was beaver felt. I'm not sure what her "tan" rabbit felt will look like.

Good luck.
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,937
Location
Central California
I just reread some of my postings. I'm not certain that they relate the right impressions. D'aquino can be a bit frustrating at times, but overall I too give them a positive rating. I'd ask for current photos of felt colors and be very specific on what you want, but I think for the price they give a decent product and are marginally responsive to emails (better responsiveness after placing an order when they know you're a real customer and not just window shopping).

D'aquino is all about managing your expectations. Their rabbit fur felt hats are similar to Akubras, but the detail work will be lower in quality (in my admittedly limited experience). For $120 including shipping I'm happy with them.

I'm taking a break from ordering from D'aquino as I'm trying to keep my hat collection manageable and focus on higher quality vintage and new custom hats. I'm on Gannon's waiting list and I'm expecting great things there....albeit at a price of $300 for a beaver felt hat ($200 for rabbit). If you want a great quality new hat with superior attention to detail and great felt and have a hatter who will be responsive to all sorts of requests and artistic nuances them you'll have pay more than what D'aquino charges and wait longer than 30 days for your hat. Manage your expectations and D'aquino is fine.

Good luck and share your experiences with us.
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,937
Location
Central California
Perry Underwood said:
Thanks again for the information. Would you know if D'aquino rabbit fur hats shrink a little like the Akubra hats do? Perry
Click to expand...

Fur felt can shrink. improper drying and poor quality felt are the two biggest culprits. I think the sample sizes for D'aquino are too small to make any definitive statements. I've never gotten mine wet (I've only had it a month). You can keep your sweatband from shrinking by storing the hat with a band block or hat stretcher in place. You can remove the block/stretcher after a couple days, assuming the hat is completely dry by then, without the fear of the hat shrinking. Follow the axiom of prevention being better than a cure.
 
Frunobulax

Frunobulax

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19,128
Location
Funkytown, USA
Can't say for the bunny, but the beaver I have (the "tan" one above has been thoroughly rain-soaked several times, with no change at all. And I wish it would, it's been a bit roomy since I got it.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 
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