A understated, wide-brimmed felt hat in a warm dark brown, with a crown that fades upward into a light gray-brown—a zigzag band runs around the hat, depicting a mountain silhouette that emerges directly from the wool rather than being attached separately. The shape combines two traditions: the felt hat of Tibetan nomads and the American cowboy hat. The hat is felted by hand: wool is laid out on a template, moistened with hot water and soap, and fulled for hours until the fibers mat together and the shape holds. The hat band is braided from yak hair, sewn on by hand, and bears the cooperative’s emblem; the band allows for an adjustable fit.
The hats are produced through a collaboration between CHARU and the Phadrokbha (ཕ་རྡོགས་པ།) nomadic cooperative, whose name means “descendants of nomadic ancestors.” The cooperative was founded in Yushu in 2015 and began by producing traditional black nomadic tents; it provides employment for single parents, orphans, and people with disabilities. The yak wool is hand-combed each spring. CHARU connects designers with craft cooperatives in the Tibetan cultural region and uses these collaborations to develop products that bring traditional techniques into everyday life.
Head circumference 55–57 cm, adjustable with the hat band · 100% yak wool · Hat band made of 100% yak hair, hand-braided · Hand-felted
Care
Remove dust with a soft brush. Avoid rubbing against rough surfaces. Slight pilling is a natural characteristic of wool and can be trimmed off with a small pair of scissors. Store in a dry, well-ventilated place, and let the hat rest occasionally. Since each piece is handmade, measurements may vary by 1 to 2 cm.
