In 2016, Valerie Garmino embarked on a journey to Montecristi, Ecuador, seeking beauty—and found a legacy. In the hands of master weavers, she discovered the soul of the Panama Hat: threads of heritage, honor, and ancestral art, woven from toquilla straw and time.
What began as admiration became a calling—to protect this sacred craft and uplift the artisans behind it. In 2018, a partnership was forged, a vision took shape, and Alma Montecristi was born: where tradition breathes, craftsmanship thrives, and every hat carries the spirit of its people.
IMPACT IN ACTION
Every piece tells a story. Every thread preserves tradition.
This is where time is made and heritage lives on.
Artisan-Led-Production
- Work with intergenerational artisan collectives in Montecristi.
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Ensure artisans receive fair wages, fostering greater economic stability, dignity, and empowerment within the community.
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Cultural respect for every artisan
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Offer clean enviroment at their work stations.
Training & Next-Gen Involvement: Preserving the Art of Toquilla Straw Weaving
Valerie Garmino is actively empowering the next generation of artisans by creating meaningful opportunities for growth, recognition, and global connection.
Through a series of ongoing programs, she ensures that the rich tradition of toquilla straw weaving not only survives but thrives.
Empowerment Workshops
- Monthly Empowerment Workshops
Focus on building self-esteem, where artisans learn how their intricate craftsmanship is valued around the world. Sharing stories of how their work features in international fashion events can foster pride and purpose.
- Fashion Education & Trend Awareness
Organize interactive workshops to explore global fashion trends, introduce relevant fashion terminology, and provide updates from runways and industry publications. Many artisans are passionate about fashion connecting their work to the broader style narrative energizes and motivates them.
From Local Roots to Global Reach
- Modern Design Integration
Young weavers are encouraged to blend tradition with innovation experimenting with new styles, colors, and techniques.
Co-design opportunities with Valerie and her team give youth a direct voice in evolving the craft.
- Financial Incentives & Career Paths
Weaving is positioned not just as a tradition, but as a pathway to economic independence.
Business and branding mentorship opens doors to careers in fashion, entrepreneurship.
Hands to Heart
- Community Recognition
Recognize young talent through local awards and spotlight features, offering them valuable platforms for visibility and growth.
- Cultural Leadership
Position artisans as guardians of cultural heritage, transforming them into ambassadors of their traditions and fostering pride and identity through their craft.
- Digital Storytelling
Artisans are trained to film and share their creative process, enabling them to connect with global audiences and showcase their work online.
Cultural Heritage Preservation
Preserve & Protect
the Art of the
Montecristi - Panama Hat
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We revitalize and protect the ancient hand-weaving tradition of the sombrero de paja toquilla (Panama Hat), officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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Artisans embrace their craft as sacred cultural heritage. Each hat proudly carries a Certificate of Origin issued by the Ecuadorian Institute of Intellectual Property (IEPI), confirming its Denomination of Origin status.
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This prestigious certification is awarded only to master weavers who follow ancestral rituals, techniques, and protocols—ensuring the authenticity of every piece. It stands as a symbol of pride for artisans who dedicate their lives to preserving and passing down this living tradition.
UNESCO Recognition: A Living Cultural Treasure
The Origin of the Name
Despite its name, the Panama Hat—or sombrero de paja toquilla—originates in Montecristi - Ecuador, where it has been handwoven for centuries using the fine fibers of the toquilla palm. In 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt visited the Panama Canal construction site. Photographed wearing one of these elegant straw hats, he instantly catapulted the style to fame. The world saw the image and dubbed the accessory the “Panama Hat”, unaware that it was, in truth, a treasured product of Ecuadorian heritage.leading to the now-famous misnomer.
A Heritage Woven by Hand
In 2012, UNESCO recognized what Ecuadorians have always known that the weaving of the sombrero de paja toquilla is more than craft.
It is living heritage: a quiet dialogue between generations, spoken through straw, hands, and time.
This honor, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is not just for the hat itself, out for the soul of the tradition the elders who pass down each technique, the communities who breathe life into the weave, and the identity wrapped within every brim.
Honoring Tradition Through Certified Artistry
A Denomination of Origin: The Mark of True Mastery
Each of our hats proudly carries a Certificate of Origin issued by the Ecuadorian Institute of Intellectual Property (IEPI), confirming its prestigious Denomination of Origin status.
This distinction is reserved exclusively for master artisans who uphold strict ancestral protocols—safeguarding the authenticity, integrity, and sacred rituals of this centuries-old craft.
Through this certified excellence, we honor the legacy of luxury handweaving that brings to life the Montecristi Panama Hat—a timeless symbol of elegance, heritage, and artistry.
Sacred Craft
Sustainable Luxury
Slow Fashion Values
Made from 100% natural toquilla straw
Zero Waste Model
100 % Biodegradable
Low-Impact Processes Natural Dyes &
Zero-Watt Craftsmanship, Pure Sustainability
Harvested Ethically
Global Awareness
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Raising Global Awareness:
We are actively raising international awareness about the importance of preserving the ancestral techniques essential to the creation of authentic toquilla straw hats.
Advocacy & Cultural Leadership:
Designer Valerie Garmino champions artisan communities by regularly speaking at public events and appearing in media to amplify the urgent need to preserve and revitalize the art of Panama Hat weaving.The Mademoiselle Collection:
Unveiled alongside editorial campaigns photographed in Montecristi, the Mademoiselle Collection—featuring the Monsieur hat—celebrates the beauty of the region and the craftsmanship of its artisans.Cross-Cultural Collaborations:
Partnerships with museums and embassies have led to cross-cultural exhibitions that honor the Panama Hat as a living symbol of Ecuadorian artistry and identity.