Torching is a traditional step to burn off any remaining felt fibers. Fouquet uses proprietary alcohol-based mixture to ignite and distress his hats.
A portrait of Nick Fouquet inside his store in Venice, California.
Head blocks with the measurements of some of Fouquet's customers.
Hats displayed inside Nick Fouquet's lab in Venice, California.
Fouquet uses a steam machine to warm the felt until it is soft and pliable enough to be molded.
Hats inside Nick Fouquet's store in Venice, California.
The liner inside one of Nick Fouquet's hats sitting on a table inside his lab in Venice, California. Every year Fouquet picks a different animal for the liner.
Fouquet uses a steam machine to warm the felt until it is soft and pliable enough to be molded.
Hats by Nick Fouquet and his team. Shot on assignment for RobbReport May issue.
Martina Albertazzi
I am an Italian photographer currently based in Los Angeles. I use portraiture and documentary photography to cover social and gender issues I am passionate about. Please feel free to contact me anytime for assignments all around California and the U.S.