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4/25/2011

BC Hats-----Cov-ver Hats

Below you can read information on Bill Conner and his world famous Australian hats. He is definitely one of the most colorful characters in the hat business today. Besides making amazing hats at his Byron Bay factory, BC plays a mean rhythm guitar in two bands, surfs every morning at sunrise, and snowboards whenever he gets the chance!




Cov-ver Hats:
BC's son Will, designs and manufactures Cov-ver hats. So far he has created over 360 styles with many unique and very functional. The warehouse is located in St Augustine Florida where the family hat tradition continues with his Aunt Margie overseeing operations when Will is out searching for new hats. A chip off the old block, the younger Conner writes and plays music, (recently opened for Jack Johnson on his "Sleep through the Static" Australian tour) and surfs as much as possible. You can find all of Will's music at www.willconner.com


History

Bill Conner chews on some grass and ponders his new designs. He says the fresh air gives him inspiration.



In April of 1969 Bill Conner was making and selling all kinds of fine handmade leathergoods. In the beginning, sandals were his most popular item but it wasn't long until his original hats became his most sought after product. Below is an old, torn and faded magazine I found in a shoe box called Earth Garden. It contains early information about Bill Conner and his first published article on leather work.
I was recently speaking with one of my father's leathercraft teachers form the 60's, Dan Holiday and he said, "young Bill was able to figure out the best way to put a wire in the brim of a leather hat so that it could be shaped, he just had a knack for it." Today his original design and construction method is world renowned and the quality of a B.C Leather hat is still unsurpassed.

With the creation of B.C Leather Hats, Australia's hat industry was revolutionized. Suddenly there was a choice on the market for a new type of functional headwear besides the traditional Fur Felt. In 1988 when Australia hosted the World Expo, B.C. Hats became internationally recognized. And later, in 1993, Bill won the prestigious Exporter of the Year Award for the State of New South Wales. He received this coveted award in recognition for not only creating Australia's original leather hat but successfully bringing it to the world market
Today, B.C. Hats is still a family owned company dedicated to quality, service, and original Australian hats!

Will Conner-



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