Any questions for a hat seller and specialist in Akubras?

[Rule17]

The second episode of the Open Crown podcast has been a long time coming but this week I'm speaking again to hat maker Rosie Boylan and also to the manager of Strand Hatters, one of the oldest and best hat shops here in Australia.

Unsurprisingly Strand Hatters specialise in Akubras, a favourite manufacturer here, I know.

We'll be talking about what to consider when buying a hat and the retail experience.

If you have any questions on those topics or Akubras that you'd like to put to a couple of experts, please let me know. (Rosie worked with Akubra to style the Akubras used in the film Australia.)

 

[Blackthorn]

Your links seem to be broken.

 

[Tomasso]

Your links seem to be broken.

They're working for me .[huh]

 

[Goose.]

Haven't checked the links and, perhaps, no questions that would warrant time on a 'cast of any kind.

A few things have had me curious though:

1> Why does a Akubra Sydney/Fedora cost about $15 more than say a C.E.O. when the C.E.O. has more felt in the build (brim larger) and a bound edge? Seems like the Sydney would e cheaper to make. Maybe it's the whole supply and demand gig, but the pricing of various models puzzles me. Seems like the Sydney/Fedora would be the base model and options added from there relative to cost.

Same when you compare the Campdraft to the Sydney. And, of the two, I think more people are buying Campdrafts. Campdraft has "more" to it, yet costs less.


2> Also, how long does it take to actually make one hat. Not counting how many weeks old the rabbits are

3> Are ALL materials and labor Australian? Offshoring some assembly for cheaper labor?

4> How much automation at the plant?

5> How many employees at Akubra?

6> Impact of the weaker AUD and the world recession on sales? While the AUD has been rising against the USD, just generally wondering how the company has been doing.

7> What is "Pilofelt"? Is it just hare? Blend w/ synthetic something? Seems really different than my other Akubra hats.

8> Are the Pilofelt (Casual and Traveler) along with the Polystraw (Hayman and Capricorn) simply made elsewhere (China?) then stamped "Akubra"? Or, are they actually manufactured by Akubra? Pretty certain on the poly hats that they are just branded by Akubra...the poly sweatbands all say "Assembled in Australia"...not "made"...could be as simple as sewing the sweat to the crown for that "assembly". No complaints...just nosey

9> Akubra market share in Australia?

10> Future plans/designs?

11> Best selling hat?

12> Hats that didn't last long on the market and why?

13> How many hats in one production run?

14> I don't know what I don't know. So, "thanks" ...

 

[ValEag]

What Goose said . . . . ! Lots of interesting questions in that post.

One thing I'm curious about - why is the color selection so limited? For example, the Akubra Fedora is a popular style, yet it is only available in Burnt Oak and Carbon Grey. Why not add a dark blue, green and tan for example in this model? I think they would all be good sellers.

 

[FurFeltFedora]

I second Goose's list and ValEags colour question.

 

[billyspew]

I think more people are buying Campdrafts.

That might be the case on this forum, but is that the case for their global marketplace? While we may see the potential as a modern Open Road - based on the photos with the cattleman crease I doubt many non-FLs would.

We have to remember that Akubra main customer is probably after an outback working hat... much like it is probably Stetson's main customer base.

Saying that would it be possible for Akubra to release numbers of each model sold, or at least a ranking to see which models are the most popular? Maybe by colour for each model too?

 

[John in Covina]

First, I'd simply tell them to ask Akubra continue supplying open crown hats!

Second, they should look at returning some of the old colors to the pallett of what is available, perhaps even persuing some new colors.

Third to consider making some long ovals if possible.

 

[ScottF]

That might be the case on this forum, but is that the case for their global marketplace? While we may see the potential as a modern Open Road - based on the photos with the cattleman crease I doubt many non-FLs would.

We have to remember that Akubra main customer is probably after an outback working hat... much like it is probably Stetson's main customer base.

Saying that would it be possible for Akubra to release numbers of each model sold, or at least a ranking to see which models are the most popular? Maybe by colour for each model too?

I'm curious about popularity as well - I was surprised that Byrnie Utz' in Seattle carries the Sidney, but not the Campdraft or the Fed IV. Maybe the Sidney sells best in the U.S.? Or maybe they don't want to upset Stetson or Borsalino by selling a competing model?

 

[duggap]

Scott, I am going by memory so don't hold it against me if I misquote, but I believe Akruba will give an exclusive right to a company for a particular hat. That is why some of the FL members will buy from more than one source. If I am not mistaken, the Campdraft was one of those hats. Help me out if you know better details than I do.

 

[John in Covina]

I thought that the Campdraft fell under the concept that it is an Open Road from a former contracted regional Stetson Maker and would not be sent to the country of origin for the orignal supplyer as deference to Stetson a former partner. Then again I could be way off base.

 

[Woodfluter]

Rule17 -

I have a couple you might ask:

(1) Might Akubra consider adding more hat designs to their Heritage-grade felt series? The choices are surprisingly limited. My vote would be for a Campdraft in that material but there are other candidates.

(2) Is there any place where we could find out when certain Akubra models were made, i.e. beginning of manufacture and end - for both current and past?

Historical information is hard to come by for almost all hat makers but Akubra might be able to compile this. I think putting a few illustrations (a hat museum if you will) and date ranges of models in a corner of their website would support their image as a living tradition. Something I'd do if I were their webmaster!

Speaking of which, less of a question than a suggestion:

Akubra's website needs more and better photos illustrating their hat models, plus specs. You find more details at vendors' websites, and that seems backwards. These days even your working cowboy has access to the web. Folks who've heard of Akubra and do a search will find this website first and you'd want them to say "I gotta get me one of them!" And then search out a vendor for that model. Not what will happen now. My two bits, offered with best wishes.

Thanks for doing this!
- Bill

 

[gtdean48]

(1) Might Akubra consider adding more hat designs to their Heritage-grade felt series? The choices are surprisingly limited. My vote would be for a Campdraft in that material but there are other candidates.

:arated: Ditto to what Bill said to ask in (1)

 

[ValEag]

Originally posted by Woodfluter:
Akubra's website needs more and better photos illustrating their hat models, plus specs.

I heartily agree with this statement. More information on the listed hats and more/better photos would be a great improvement.

 

[Goose.]

That might be the case on this forum, but is that the case for their global marketplace? While we may see the potential as a modern Open Road - based on the photos with the cattleman crease I doubt many non-FLs would.

We have to remember that Akubra main customer is probably after an outback working hat... much like it is probably Stetson's main customer base.

Saying that would it be possible for Akubra to release numbers of each model sold, or at least a ranking to see which models are the most popular? Maybe by colour for each model too?

Yes, Billyspew...thank you. You are aboslutely correct. You hit it right on the head in that there are so many more that don't hit this site. Your clarification to my broad question helps.

Somewhat in the line of what I also asked, "market share". Are US, international, a larger proportion of Akubra sales? In Australia, what is the ratio?

Thanks again...

...Speaking of which, less of a question than a suggestion:

Akubra's website needs more and better photos illustrating their hat models, plus specs. You find more details at vendors' websites, and that seems backwards. ...
Thanks for doing this!
- Bill

:arated::eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[elvisroe]

We have to remember that Akubra main customer is probably after an outback working hat... much like it is probably Stetson's main customer base.

I think your dead on with that. Growing up in 'hat country' the only guys I ever saw wearing fedoras were over 60 or it was something like a squatter with a low porkpie. I think the Campdrafts would be cheaper for this reason. I've only seen really old dude's wearing them on farms.

I think the fedora is a city hat - in the bush you never wear the brim flicked up at the back - and as men in the city don't wear hats anymore there's not such a great demand.

If you poke around in rural outfitters you'll generally find a stack of "snowy rivers", "coober pedys", "arenas", "squatters", "CEOs" etc. and then tucked away at the back of the top shelf there'll be a pile of small classic trilbys and fedoras (usually a couple of "Sydneys" and a few "campdrafts") that have been sitting there for about 20 years.

The hat I've seen most lately among country guys my age is the Akubra "arena" which is a real cowboy, rodeo style.

 

[RBH]

All I can say is please tell Rosie thanks for her fantastic work and please let Akubra know we love their fantastic hats!

 

[John in Covina]

I think your dead on with that. Growing up in 'hat country' the only guys I ever saw wearing fedoras were over 60 or it was something like a squatter with a low porkpie. I think the Campdrafts would be cheaper for this reason. I've only seen really old dude's wearing them on farms.

I think the fedora is a city hat - in the bush you never wear the brim flicked up at the back - and as men in the city don't wear hats anymore there's not such a great demand.

If you poke around in rural outfitters you'll generally find a stack of "snowy rivers", "coober pedys", "arenas", "squatters", "CEOs" etc. and then tucked away at the back of the top shelf there'll be a pile of small classic trilbys and fedoras (usually a couple of "Sydneys" and a few "campdrafts") that have been sitting there for about 20 years.

The hat I've seen most lately among country guys my age is the Akubra "arena" which is a real cowboy, rodeo style.

**********
I think it may be a little bit different here in the US, there is an undercurrent of fedora revival that is small now but could grow. A maker may be in the right position to give some push in the right direction to help that either grow or look to taking a market share of the revival with product and anticipation of the need for education. Education allows the consumer to make a better judgement of what his wants or needs are while choice, features and benefits are the "excuse" to buy.

 

[elvisroe]

Stranded at the

Just by the by Steve,
Strand Hatters turned out to be the only place stocking a particular hat I was buying for a present in february so I made an emergency dash into the city. When I noticed that the corner bow on the ribbon had come unstitched on the make and size I was after I asked if they had another or could fix it. The young guy working there shrugged and said it was the last one and unless I wanted to wait for an order I'd have to make do. As I was traveling to the party later that week I bought it and stitched it myself.
Great little store but that particular encounter was a tad frustrating!

 

[CRH]

The fat print

Top 10 Sellers
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
• Cattleman
• Snowy River
• Coober Pedy
• Territory
• The Arena
• Bronco
• Rough Rider
• Tablelands
• Traveller
• Coolabah

http://www.akubra.com.au/News.aspx?id=91