In Venice, California, Nick Fouquet builds custom hats from raw materials. He crafts each piece by hand. His client roster that includes celebrities like Pharrell Williams and Anne Hathaway. No two hats are the same, but each hat is made with the absolute best materials and the very best techniques, which have been perfected through the centuries.

Born in New York and raised in Florida and Southern France, Fouquet did not grow up with a strong passion for hats. He was only inspired to enter the world of hat designing after having a conversation with a cowboy he met after moving to California. He saw an opportunity in the market. “Hat-making is a dying art — there are only about 30 artisans in America, and 300 in the world,” says Fouquet.

After an initial meeting with the client, Fouquet gathers the raw material, typically beaver, rabbit, or straw. He uses a combination of twine, steam, and classic California sunshine to dry and shape each hat. Next, he will sand the exterior of the hat until it is smooth enough to wear. Because he is famous for his destressed hats, he often also lights his hats on fire for a few seconds to age them.

His straw hats start around $550, but some felts hats cost over $1,000. Fouquet’s strong personality and aesthetic drives his business forward. His attention to detail helped revitalize the dying market of high-end hat making.