Our Story

How it All Began

Caroline Hafele didn't set out to build a hat company. While working at a luxury consignment shop in Mexico City, she fell in love with the vibrant culture around her. The city was alive with color, texture, and creativity. Street markets overflowing with handwoven materials, artisans who'd spent decades perfecting their craft, and a community that saw hats not just as accessories, but as expressions of identity.

It was here where she started upcycling old fabrics into hats, learning from local hatmakers who generously shared their techniques and traditions. They were artists, storytellers, and the heartbeat of a craft that had been passed down for generations.

When she moved to Denver, she didn't have these mentors down the street anymore. But what she did have? A newfound passion, a growing appreciation for the craft, and an attic.

This was more than enough to get started. What began as a creative outlet quickly became something more. Friends and family started asking for custom hats, then friends of friends, then strangers who'd seen her work.

In 2021, Caroline officially launched Gem Hats, moving the operation out of her attic and into a storefront in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood. Today, this is where Caroline and her team of skilled hatters guide customers through designing one-of-a-kind hats every single day.

But it's never just been about hats. It's about connection. It's about sitting down with someone, learning their story, and helping them create something that feels authentically theirs – a true gem. And that's what keeps us going.