Conner Hats
Meet Bill and Will Conner, the father and son hat team behind Conner Hats, an American and Australian homemade hat company that thrives in simplicity.
Bill BC Conner was introduced to leatherwork in the 60's, when the concept of individually crafting products by hand was considered old-fashioned. Despite popular opinion, BC honed his leatherworking skills until he moved to Australia with his wife Marion, 11-month-old Will, and various leather hat and sandal designs.
By 1982, BC had hired his first employees and started a small factory, with the intention to make every hat with the same handcrafted care and quality that he always gave them. In 1986, when the movie Crocodile Dundee was released, featuring the classic Aussie leather brim hat, Bill's business exploded, eventually awarding him the Small Business Exporter of the Year Award.
Today, you can still find Bill surfing his favorite spots as the sun rises, and later, checking the factory for the hand-made quality he cherishes. The only difference? You'll often find him with his son, Will Conner, the surfer/musician who transformed BC Hats into the Conner Hats brand. By designing styles beyond what BC Hats offered, Will was able to grow their business, and in turn, grow their impact.
Starting off as one man with a skill, Conner Hats has grown to be an international force, embracing responsible business practices and sustainable innovation.
Bill BC Conner was introduced to leatherwork in the 60's, when the concept of individually crafting products by hand was considered old-fashioned. Despite popular opinion, BC honed his leatherworking skills until he moved to Australia with his wife Marion, 11-month-old Will, and various leather hat and sandal designs.
By 1982, BC had hired his first employees and started a small factory, with the intention to make every hat with the same handcrafted care and quality that he always gave them. In 1986, when the movie Crocodile Dundee was released, featuring the classic Aussie leather brim hat, Bill's business exploded, eventually awarding him the Small Business Exporter of the Year Award.
Today, you can still find Bill surfing his favorite spots as the sun rises, and later, checking the factory for the hand-made quality he cherishes. The only difference? You'll often find him with his son, Will Conner, the surfer/musician who transformed BC Hats into the Conner Hats brand. By designing styles beyond what BC Hats offered, Will was able to grow their business, and in turn, grow their impact.
Starting off as one man with a skill, Conner Hats has grown to be an international force, embracing responsible business practices and sustainable innovation.
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