Borsalino Factory Tour January 12th, 2016

[Bob Roberts]

Thanks Gentlemen. Wonderful photo essay.

 

[hatophile]

Grazie Steve and Daniele.

All those hats!!!!!

 

[Gunship]

Thanks so very much for sharing your time and pictures of the factory. I truly hope that an old world company such as Borsalino can overcome the financial difficulties they've had in recent years. It would be a shame to see them go under.
Great photo journey!!

 

[mikespens]

Great adventure Steve and Daniele, glad you shared it with us. Rare access to a rare major manufacturer.

 

[RBH]

Fantastic!!! Thanks!

 

[moehawk]

Thanks mayser and Daniele!
Great behind-the-scenes look at Borsalino.
Man I'd love to have a few of those blocks and flanges...

 

[DJH]

Steve and Daniele, that is just fantastic. Thank you for sharing with us.

 

[jhoops01]

Wow! Thanks both of you for sharing that adventure.

 

[Frunobulax]

Thanks mayser and Daniele!
Great behind-the-scenes look at Borsalino.
Man I'd love to have a few of those blocks and flanges...

A few? I want them all!

 

[gtdean48]

Great tour and pictures.

+1

 

[EstherWeis]

This is so amazing, thank you!!!

Belgium you say???
How interesting. I know of a great place they used to make furs but that has been closed down since the 80's.
since then production has moved to eastern Europe.

If you decide to do this again, let me know
Truly wonderfull!

 

[ingineer]

Steve and Daniele;
Thank you for this, appreciate all your time and effort.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks!

Yes there is fur cutting (for the felt hat business) in Belgium. I found this place searching around.

Hofmans

http://www.tradekey.com/company/Hofmans-4160337.html

This appears to be the location.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haarsnijderij_Heizijde_-Lebbeke_-_België.jpg

Also ŠEŠIR (Slovenia) had to move their fur cutting operation to Belgium.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/eastern-european-hats-and-makers.75274/#post-1852197

 

[mayserwegener]

Steve and Daniele;
Thank you for this, appreciate all your time and effort.

Richard, Thanks!

 

[EstherWeis]

Thanks!

Yes there is fur cutting (for the felt hat business) in Belgium. I found this place searching around.

Hofmans

http://www.tradekey.com/company/Hofmans-4160337.html

This appears to be the location.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haarsnijderij_Heizijde_-Lebbeke_-_België.jpg

Also ŠEŠIR (Slovenia) had to move their fur cutting operation to Belgium.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/eastern-european-hats-and-makers.75274/#post-1852197

Ah yes, now I know what you mean.
I've been there with my classmates and teacher from my Millinery school a couple of years ago.
Very interesting, yet very dirty,unsafe and rather fishy work environment.

We used to have a very large felting tradition in the area of Liège.
Those are the ones that moved to eastern Europe. The one that I know of is now based in Poland.
Most where either moved to the high cost of production and health regulations.
Also the decline in hat wearing didn't help either.

The city museum in Liège has exhibitions about the felting/milliners heritage from time to time.


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[mayserwegener]

Yes it does look suspect. Tonak's fur cutting operation is part of the main factory so nothing like that place (I visited Tonak back in 2011). I am only aware of PolkaP in Poland who are still in business today. They were part of Johann Hückel´s Söhne up to WWII and nationalized after like Tonak in Czechoslovakia.

 

[tommyK]

What a rare treat, Many thanks to Steve and Daniele. Well done!

 

[Bird Lives]

Steve and Daniele Bravo!!!
This is such a great priviledge to get to share your tour! I just set down here in Seattle, in the wee hours of the morning, opened my computer and went straight to the Fedora Lounge and BAM! Saw this thread and it made my day!...To reflect Tommy's sentiments, Well Done Indeed! Grazie!

 

[mayserwegener]

Tommy, Bird, Thanks!

I just posted "Borsalino Factory Showroom + Fall / Winter 2016 Collection January 12th, 2016".

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...nter-2016-collection-january-12th-2016.85173/

 

[Bolero]

Enlightening, thank you...and exceptional photography, well done.