Borsalino
ActiveOverview
Borsalino is an Italian luxury hat manufacturer founded in 1857, specializing in felt and straw hats produced through artisanal processes. It operates from Alessandria, Piedmont, combining industrial and handmade techniques, with felt hats requiring over 50 manual steps and up to 7 weeks, and straw hats woven in Ecuador taking up to 6 months. The brand maintains 9 flagship boutiques and 550 selected stores worldwide, plus an online shop, positioning it as a pioneer of Made in Italy luxury headwear.136
History
Giuseppe Borsalino founded the company in 1857 in Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy, starting as a small artisan atelier specializing in felt hats. He developed a signature felt hat model registered under the Borsalino trademark. The company continues using original machinery and techniques from its founding era in its Piedmont factory. Since 2018, it has been owned by Haeres Equita, a private equity firm aimed at international expansion.1367
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Felt Hats (e.g., fedoras) | Luxury artisanal felt headwear | $300 - $1,200 |
| Panama Hats (straw) | Handwoven Ecuadorian straw hats | $250 - $900 |
| Caps and Berets | Casual elegant headwear | $150 - $500 |
| Women's Hats | Feminine luxury styles | $200 - $800 |
Manufacturing
Products are manufactured in Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy, where felt hats undergo over 50 manual steps in a factory using some of founder Giuseppe Borsalino’s original machinery. Straw models are manually woven in Ecuador before final assembly. The process blends industrial perspectives with artisan spirit.13
Notable Products
- Borsalino Fedora - Signature soft felt hat model created by founder Giuseppe Borsalino.
- Panama Hat - Handwoven straw hat from Ecuador, taking up to 6 months per piece.
- Felt Hats Collection - Artisanal felt hats produced in Alessandria with over 50 manual steps.
- Spring-Summer Hats - Seasonal straw and light styles for men and women.
- Autumn-Winter Hats - Seasonal felt and wool blends for colder weather.
Reputation
Borsalino is regarded by hat enthusiasts and professionals as a benchmark for Italian artisanal luxury, praised for its timeless style, extraordinary quality, and preservation of 19th-century techniques. It holds a leading position in the high-end hat market due to its heritage and Made in Italy authenticity. Some note limited innovation in modern casual styles as a potential weakness compared to broader fashion brands.3
Sources (7)
- https://www.zoominfo.com/c/borsalino/20942350
- https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC425551
- https://rocketreach.co/borsalino-profile_b44613d0fafd77dc
- https://foremosthat.com/blogs/blog/borsalino
- https://www.cbinsights.com/company/borsalino/people
- https://www.borsalino.com/us_en
- https://www.borsalino.com/gb_en/the-history