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Graham Thompson, the owner of Optimo Hats in Chicago, IL has written a glossy, picture filled and history packed book "The History of the Hatmaker". As a customer of Optimo, his team creates some of the best classic hats you will ever wear, custom-made for the right fit and you get to pick the style, color and accessories.
LINK FOR Thompson's First Edition Book: "The Art Of The Hatmaker" First Edition
August 2011:
Life IS better in a great hat. Take a fashion tip from Johnny Depp who is frequently pictured wearing a custom hat from his own personal collection made by our friend Graham Thompson in Chicago. He opened OPTIMO in 1995 after college at the age of 22. Graham purchased traditional gentleman's hatmaking machinery from his old friend Johnny Tyus and studied age old methods of quality hatmaking; a personal passion Graham held since he was a boy. By the way, Graham taught me never, ever, EVER hold a hat by its crown like in the movies, you will destroy a beautiful handmade piece, handle by the brim only. Graham continues to travel the world purchasing equipment and learning old world techniques that are evident in OPTIMO's wide collection. Hands down and hats off OPTIMO is the best hat maker in the world today.
Graham's biography in his own words, click PLAY VIDEO on page
Click on this link for the full article written by Chicago Magazine Spring 2009.
"Head For Business", 2009
How to measure your head for the proper hat size: Hold one end of a tape measure at the center of your forehead and wrap around just above your ears, where you wish the hat to rest. Conversion chart:
Life IS better in a great hat. Take a fashion tip from Johnny Depp who is frequently pictured wearing a custom hat from his own personal collection made by our friend Graham Thompson in Chicago. He opened OPTIMO in 1995 after college at the age of 22. Graham purchased traditional gentleman's hatmaking machinery from his old friend Johnny Tyus and studied age old methods of quality hatmaking; a personal passion Graham held since he was a boy. By the way, Graham taught me never, ever, EVER hold a hat by its crown like in the movies, you will destroy a beautiful handmade piece, handle by the brim only. Graham continues to travel the world purchasing equipment and learning old world techniques that are evident in OPTIMO's wide collection. Hands down and hats off OPTIMO is the best hat maker in the world today.
Graham's biography in his own words, click PLAY VIDEO on page
Click on this link for the full article written by Chicago Magazine Spring 2009.
"Head For Business", 2009
Thank you Graham, Sean and I still wear our fabulous Fedoras made by you; most recently worn to 'Bourbon and Branch'', an original San Francisco Speak-easy along with our friends Ian, Kevin, Carissa and Erin.
POST SCRIPT- In honor of the 'Windy City', here are the ingredients to make a classic Chicago Hot Dog: Beef dog, neon green relish, classic yellow mustard, pickle spear,white onion-chopped, tomato wedges, sport peppers, celery salt-MUST HAVE, all stuffed in a poppy seed bun.
POST SCRIPT- In honor of the 'Windy City', here are the ingredients to make a classic Chicago Hot Dog: Beef dog, neon green relish, classic yellow mustard, pickle spear,white onion-chopped, tomato wedges, sport peppers, celery salt-MUST HAVE, all stuffed in a poppy seed bun.
