A Hat That Belongs to the Canyon
I finally did it — I bought a hat from the local hat maker, Busto & Sun, here in Topanga. Not a baseball cap or something you grab off a rack, but a full bespoke fedora. It feels fitting, honestly. After spending so much time in this canyon, I’ve started to blend into the texture of the place. Maybe that’s why the hat felt less like a purchase and more like a small rite of passage.
Why Hats Matter Up Here
There’s a reason cowboy hats and fedoras drift through this part of Los Angeles. Topanga used to be a kind of wild west outpost — a refuge for artists, wanderers, and people who weren’t quite built for the straight lines of the city.
The terrain was rugged, the roads were unreliable, and the people who lived up here needed equal parts grit and imagination. Somehow that spirit never left. Even now, the canyon carries a bit of that old, eccentric freedom in the air.
The Price of Craft
Getting a bespoke hat was… a process. And expensive. More than I want to admit out loud. But I’ve started to see it as an investment — a signature piece for my videos, my Instagram, and the general shape of this next chapter.
After running a shop at the retreat center, I know how much these small, local vendors rely on their community. With constant road closures — fires, mudslides, construction — supporting local makers can make a real difference.
Designing the Details
Enrico, the Italian hat maker, guided the entire process. I changed my mind more than once and ended up returning to the shop to redesign the initial concept. He didn’t mind.
First came the vintage head measurer. Apparently some people have truly strange head shapes; mine was nothing remarkable.
Choosing the right color came next — green, to match the earthy tones I naturally wear and the feel of my brand. After that, we chose the accents: a leather string, a folded blue handkerchief, and a lightly distressed beige ribbon. Small touches, but they shaped the personality of the hat.
Waiting for the Finished Piece
Then came two weeks of waiting, just enough time to bounce between anticipation and second-guessing.
When pickup day finally arrived, Katy and I headed over with my new Polaroid camera and snapped a photo inside the shop.
I also grabbed a bandana and a handmade bandana slide with an old Mexican coin. Another little detail that felt right.
Becoming Part of the Story
In the end, the whole experience was more meaningful than I expected. A mix of craftsmanship, place, patience, and personal expression. Now I’m excited to weave the hat into my everyday style and my upcoming videos.
It feels like one more step toward truly belonging in the canyon . Not just living here, but living with it.
