By Staff
Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?
I became an entrepreneur when I purchased a fedora hat that I felt didn’t accessorize well with an outfit I planned to wear. Once I acted upon my vision, I re-created the design to compliment my style of fashion by rearranging the existing additions to the fedora and adding some of my own personal items. As I wore the fedora several times with selective outfits, I received numerous compliments and inquiries. As I began redesigning more of my own personal fedoras to fit my style, character and personality then sharing photos of the finished products which brought in more attention to my talent, I was inspired to start my own business to design and create fedoras for customers based on their preference, profession, style and character.
What inspires your hat designs?
My inspiration for my hat designs comes from my passion for fashion and the art of creativity. As a retired veteran, I was privileged to reside in and travel to many different countries throughout Europe. As I experienced various cultural diversity, I implement that into some of my work. I am intrigued by other cultures and people, which has a significant influence on my hat designs. Each hat has a name that compliments the design. No two hats are identical. Each hat is created uniquely and customized individually with intricate attention to details.
What has been the most meaningful response you’ve gotten from your hat creations?
A month after I uploaded a few new creations to my Instagram page, I was contacted via Instagram by an individual in Texas that was interested in purchasing a fedora. He mentioned his admiration for my creations/ designs and placed an order immediately. Once he received his first order, he uploaded a video. His initial reaction and response to my creation was ‘this is fit for a king’. This response is most meaningful because a hat signifies power. Historically in most cultures, head wear has always been used to enhance character and create moods.
Share your insight about hats and men’s fashion over time.
In my opinion, men’s fashion has become more of a statement. One’s status is perceived by their style and sense of creativity.
What does success look like for you?
Success is when my business expands to where the demands for my products are higher than supplies.
Where would you like to see your company in the next five years?
In the next five years, I would like to see my products in retail stores and well known nationally and internationally.
Biography
Kurt Newell, was born in St. Andrews Jamaica. He relocated to Brooklyn, New York at the age of 13 years old. Kurt enlisted in the United States Army and retired in 2023 after 26 years of service. During his tenure, he has lived and visited many countries throughout Europe. It was on this path he developed the style to express personality and life through fashion.
In 2019, he moved to Los Angeles, California from Hawaii and has immersed himself into the fashion industry. He works with great enthusiasm, focusing on the customer’s preferences to create a fedora to fit their personality. His bold and detailed creativity helps to inspire and empower others to wear their fedoras with grace, glamour, style and confidence.
