Meet Your Hatter: Keryn Nicholson

I started Nicholson Hat Co. in 2018, after inheriting one of my dad’s old Stetsons and for the first time I found myself wanting to make adjustments to hats. So I began researching the trade, asking some local ranchers and cowboys - learning about history and technique. I became obsessed with hunting for antique hat making equipment and procuring only the finest textiles available. From there, I guess you could say the rest was history. I began making hats for myself and then eventually for other people. Now I am a full-time hatter.

I grew up living all over the United States. My dad was in the Air Force which took my parents, me and my younger sister to a new location every couple of years so I suppose I have been used to re-establishing myself and never found it threatening. I was born in San Antonio, Texas but have been living in Central California for the past 15 years, so California is definitely my home. I went to grad school in London and worked as a marketing manager and visual display coordinator here in California before becoming a hatter. I have an eclectic roster of experience and I love it. I’m grateful for every experience I have - it’s what has brought me to where I am today.

I feel truly honored and humbled to be working in such a respected trade and I learn more and more each year. My work will never be done and I will never stop improving and learning from the masters of this craft.

Hatting is not for the faint-hearted that’s for damn sure.