Florence area marks 40 years of Il Cappello di Firenze consortium

The Consorzio Il Cappello di Firenze, a group bringing together historic hat manufacturers in the Florence area, marked its 40th anniversary on 11 April 2026 in Signa, a town long associated with straw hat production. The event was held at the Museo Civico della Paglia e dell’Intreccio Domenico Michelacci, a museum dedicated to the history of straw weaving.

The anniversary highlights the continued role of the consortium in preserving and promoting a craft that dates back to the 18th century and remains closely linked to the identity of the Florence metropolitan area.

A tradition rooted in rural Tuscany

The production of straw hats in Tuscany developed in the countryside between Florence, Prato and Signa from the late 1700s. It was based on the cultivation of a specific type of wheat, whose long, fine straw was particularly suitable for weaving.

The process involved several stages: selecting and harvesting the straw, bleaching it in the sun, and then weaving it by hand into thin braids. These braids were later sewn together to form hats. Much of this work was traditionally carried out by women and families in rural areas, providing an important source of income alongside agriculture.

By the 19th century, Tuscan straw hats—often referred to internationally as “Leghorn hats”, from the port of Livorno through which they were exported—had become a major global product. They were widely sold in Europe and the United States, contributing to the early industrialisation of the area around Florence.

From craft to luxury production

Over time, production evolved from a dispersed rural activity into a more structured manufacturing system, with workshops and later factories specialising in different stages of the process. Despite industrial changes, the core techniques of braiding and shaping remained largely artisanal.

Today, companies linked to the Consorzio Il Cappello di Firenze operate in the high-end fashion sector, producing hats for international brands while maintaining traditional methods. The consortium acts as a coordinating body, promoting quality standards and the link between production and territory.

Florence and Signa as a production hub

The Florence area continues to be considered a reference point for high-quality straw hat production. Signa, located about 15 kilometres west of Florence, remains one of the main centres of this activity, hosting both manufacturers and the museum that documents the history of the craft.

Local institutions have also expressed interest in strengthening the role of the museum, with proposals to recognise it as a site of regional importance.

Event on 25 April linked to Corri La Vita

As part of the anniversary initiatives, the 11th edition of the “Il cappello più bello per Corri La Vita” competition will take place on 25 April 2026 at the Ippodromo del Visarno Cesare Meli, during the traditional Corsa dell’Arno horse race.

The event will feature a public showcase of creative and decorative hats and is linked to Corri La Vita Onlus, a Florence-based charity supporting breast cancer prevention and treatment programmes.

Practical information

• Date: 25 April 2026
• Location: Ippodromo del Visarno, Florence
• Event: Hat competition and parade during the Corsa dell’Arno
• Purpose: Fundraising and awareness for Corri La Vita

The anniversary and related events underline how a local craft tradition continues to adapt to contemporary markets while remaining tied to its historical roots in the Tuscan territory.

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