In April of 1969 Bill Conner was making and selling all kinds of fine handmade leathergoods. In the beginning, sandals were his most popular item but it wasn't long until his original hats became his most sought after product. Below is an old, torn and faded magazine I found in a shoe box called Earth Garden. It contains early information about Bill Conner and his first published article on leather work.
I was recently speaking with one of my father's leathercraft teachers form the 60's, Dan Holiday and he said, "young Bill was able to figure out the best way to put a wire in the brim of a leather hat so that it could be shaped, he just had a knack for it." Today his original design and construction method is world renowned and the quality of a B.C Leather hat is still unsurpassed.
With the creation of B.C Leather Hats, Australia's hat industry was revolutionized. Suddenly there was a choice on the market for a new type of functional headwear besides the traditional Fur Felt. In 1988 when Australia hosted the World Expo, B.C. Hats became internationally recognized. And later, in 1993, Bill won the prestigious Exporter of the Year Award for the State of New South Wales. He received this coveted award in recognition for not only creating Australia's original leather hat but successfully bringing it to the world market
Today, B.C. Hats is still a family owned company dedicated to quality, service, and original Australian hats!
-Will Conner
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