About THE H.W.DOG&CO.
Based on the high-quality craftsmanship of traditional artisans and designs combining functionality favored by workers, with "GENTLEMAN" to express masculinity and "DOG" as slang for playfulness, we develop products that blend the charm of bygone eras with modern times.
"THE H.W.DOG&CO.'s Craftsmanship"
In this modern era of mass production and consumption, THE H.W.DOG&CO. devotes time and effort to all its products, producing each one with deep commitment and without compromise, so that as many customers as possible can hold a "truly good hat" in their hands.
THE H.W.DOG&CO. draws inspiration for its craftsmanship from the high quality of artisan skills seen before the 1930s, before the advent of machine-based mass production, and the functionality of military products prominent after the 1940s.
As time progresses, the convenience brought by mechanization enriches our lives. However, there was a charm in that era that cannot be replicated by modern, assembly-line mass production. We re-examine manufacturing from its foundation, bring that charm back to the present, and propose "truly good hats" designed for today.
There are two types of hat-making, or "body" construction. One is the metal mold type. This method shapes firm dress hats using temperature and pressure from machines, and specialized machines have been used for this since ancient times. Currently, there are only a few factories in Japan specializing in dress hats. THE H.W.DOG&CO. continues to produce hats by inheriting the machines and methods of that era.
The other is the wooden mold type. Characterized by a soft and gentle finish, it has primarily been used for women's hats. In even older times, wooden molds were skillfully used to make men's hats as well. For bespoke, one-of-a-kind items, a wooden mold that allows for fine adjustments is essential. THE H.W.DOG&CO. uses wooden molds for unique and special hats, carefully building them from the ground up using vintage wooden molds and specialized sewing machines.
Our standard BASEBALL CAP is re-engineered based on 1860s designs, incorporating modern materials and functionality. While chemical fibers are common for the interlining of typical caps, we use "wool interlining" as it was used back then. The finishing mold was also created from scratch, undergoing numerous revisions to achieve the desired shape. Connecting the "taken-for-granted" quality of bygone eras to the present is the essence of THE H.W.DOG&CO.'s craftsmanship.