2023 sees the launch of Bask + Groove – a stylish new designer accessory label specialising in a collection of handmade, beautiful and timeless straw hats for men and women. Bask + Groove’s unisex designs offer an enduring look, designed to last for years and years. As the hats are handmade, each piece is characteristically unique, and no two hats are the same.
Each hat has been skillfully handwoven by artisans in Ecuador from the natural fibres of the native toquilla tree, using centuries old traditional techniques. Traditionally the hats would take months to be crafted and were woven by moonlight.
Sustainability is at the heart of Bask + Groove’s approach. Hats are designed to last and be handed down. The company ensure fair wages for the artisans making the hats and the raw materials are sourced from small Ecuadorian suppliers. For every hat purchased, Bask + Groove plant a tree in Ecuador. They work with an Ecuadorian NGO and are currently supporting the reforestation of the Yanacocha reserve.
Monty Gammond, Founder of Bask + Groove explains:
Spending summers in Ibiza and travelling with my passion for yoga, I found a good hat was an absolute necessity for day-to-day living in sunny climates. I saw a gap in the market for beautifully designed, superb quality straw hats that work as well for men as for women. This is inspired a unisex collection where the quality and skilled Ecuadorian craftsmanship results in natural pieces that last a lifetime. An important step away from the “throwaway” seasonal hat. Welcome to Bask + Groove.”
