Our family has been in Ecuador since the 1600’s. We are part of the culture, the land and are still in awe of its beauty.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona our family owned company 3 Regions Trade Co. works with artisan families that have been weaving paja toquilla hats for generations. We work with a group of women hand crafters in SigSig and weavers in Chordeleg nestled in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador.  The weavers in Montecristi are the creators of some of the finest hats. The sense of community is evident as you see these families come together to work these hats.  An extremely fine weave, an award-winning hat, can take months to elaborate by one single person. Wearing these hats is a part of an amazing ancestral culture which supports and contributes to the magic of these communities.

Our hand woven hats are made with a palm like plant called Paja toquilla. The paja toquilla plant is harvested off the coast of Ecuador.  After a good harvest, the soft middle palm leaves are washed and placed out in the sun to dry. The sun bleaches the straw, making it strong and flexible for easy weaving. Weaving a paja toquilla hat is a unique skill, depending on the fineness of the weave, a single hat can take up to four months to be woven. The finer the strands, the finer the grade of the hat. Once woven, the raw hoods go through a series of steps before it is ready for the actual hat. The quality of the fineness of the weave is checked and sorted. A specialist trims off any excess straw and ensures the hats do not fray, next the hats are washed and proceed to being bleached and/or dyed to give the straw a unified color. The paja toquilla is then hammered and finally the outer trim or band is added as required.

GENUINE PAJA TOQUILLA HATS

Our warehouse is located in Phoenix, Arizona.
Our hats at 3 Regions Trade Co. are handwoven with extreme attention to detail and dedication to traditional techniques. Each Paja Toquilla hat is a testament to the slow fashion movement, honoring the skill and artistry of our artisans who have faithfully preserved their craft for generations.

From suave gentlemen to fashion-forward women, our handwoven Paja Toquilla hats are designed to complement a myriad of styles. Whether you're looking to elevate a casual ensemble or add a touch of flair to a formal attire, our hats effortlessly blend versatility with a distinctive touch.