PANAMA HAT CONTEST: Redefining Headwear

In May 2024, Ecua-Andino Hats launched an international contest with the aim of redefining the iconic Panama Hat. Advocate for boundless artistic expression, Ecua-Andino's global campaign invited talented designers from the headwear fashion world to participate.

Contestants were provided with three raw bodies of genuine Panama Hats, handcrafted by Ecuadorian weavers, and challenged to create a unique, innovative reinterpretation.

The Panama hat has a historical connection with Paris, gaining fame for its lightweight and breathable qualities during the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle. Ecua-Andino shall furthermore celebrate this connection with special talks and exclusive contents during our trade fair, in Hall 7.2, Stand no. Q14 . 


The seven selected designers therefore got an opportunity to showcase their creations on our Who’s Next trade show in Paris from the 8th to the 10th of September as well as being part of Ecua-Andino’s SS25 collection:








Four top figures from the hat industry were selected as members of the jury for the designers to be assessed based on their creativity, (sustainable) impact, business vision, and innovation: 







The announcement of the winner and award ceremony will take place on the Panama Hats space, on (Monday) the 9th September at 4:00pm. 


On top of their contest, Ecua-Andino had the courtesy and great generosity of providing Who’s Next’ hostesses with 40 Panama hats of their classic-natural collection for our uniforms.

Yann Jobard

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