Hats are a popular and useful clothing accessory. They come in all shapes and sizes, and styles ebb and flow with changing times. Whether worn as fashion accessories or for protection against the elements, today’s world of mass production has almost completely eliminated the special art of hand-made hats. Fortunately for us there are still some individual artisans of this current generation dedicated to the hat making art.
One of them is Ilcho Trajkovski. We had the privilege to speak with him in his workshop and store at Pokriena Charshija No 47 in the Old Turkish Bazaar.
Ilcho is a second generation hat maker operating a family business. He worked for years to master the art of hat making, 
passing through three levels of ability: novice, apprentice and finally master artisan.
Ilcho makes several different kids of hats. The hardest to make are the rolled wool felt hats and straw hats for men and women. There are different styles to choose from, some for casual wear, like beach hats, and others for more formal occasions. They require twelve sewing steps and an entire days work to complete a single hat.
He also enjoys the challenge of making the shubara hat, made of sheep or lambskin. These are the round furry hats so popular in Russia. Although the hatter mainly works with natural materials, animal protection laws have led to greater substitution with artificial contents. Real leather shubaras like his are becoming more rare and are sought after by those who truly favor them.
Ilcho also makes bonnets and the children’s sports caps, which can be found in various designs to suit different tastes.
Among the natural materials a hat-maker uses are: rolled wool felt, palm leaves, rice straw, Amazon grass, rabbit hair, and various leathers, most of which are imported from elsewhere. Even the thread used in hat making has to be special and strong enough to make the hat long lasting.
In spite of all the challenges that an individual hatter faces in terms of finding special materials, reproducing fine details, and investing in designs that will sell , Ilcho believes in his craft, and trusts that the fruit of his labor is good, prosperous and worth the price.
Visit Ilcho in his shop. His work is beautiful and fascinating. Don’t forget to bring your wallet!
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