Homero Ortega
Homero Ortega is a family-run maker of toquilla straw hats, commonly called Panama hats, based in Cuenca, Ecuador. The company also makes handwoven bags and runs a workshop, shop and museum.
| Base | Cuenca, Ecuador |
|---|---|
| Speciality | Toquilla straw (Panama) hats |
| Opened to public | 1970s |
| Ownership | Ortega family |
| Website | homeroortega.com |
What is Homero Ortega?
Homero Ortega is a hat-making business in Cuenca, Ecuador, specialising in the toquilla straw hat, widely known as the Panama hat. The name comes from the fact that the hats were historically shipped via the Panama Canal, leading buyers abroad to assume they came from Panama.
History
Homero Ortega (1916 to 1998) began making straw hats at an early age and passed the craft on to later generations of his family, who continue to run the label. The business first opened to the public in the 1970s, largely through the initiative of his wife, Isabel Salamea Delgado, who wanted to meet the people wearing the hats.
Products and positioning
- Handwoven toquilla straw hats
- Handbags and purses woven from straw
Distribution
In Cuenca, the factory, showroom and museum share a building designed to resemble a house, reflecting the tradition of weaving at home. The museum covers the history of the hat, its manufacturing process and the company itself.
Why it matters
Homero Ortega is one of the best-known names associated with Ecuador's toquilla straw craft, connecting artisanal weaving with an international accessories market.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Homero Ortega hats made?
Homero Ortega hats are made in Cuenca, Ecuador, from toquilla straw.
Are Panama hats from Panama?
No, toquilla straw hats such as those by Homero Ortega come from Ecuador; the name arose because they were exported via the Panama Canal.