Archive note: This newly written account revisits hat designer Alessandra Rivera, a subject from Grandpa Style’s earlier history. It draws on her brand’s introduction and published interviews. The original Grandpa Style feature and its photography have not been recovered.
A hat maker’s point of view
Alessandra Rivera approaches hats through an interest in individual style. Her brand’s own introduction dates its beginnings to 2011 and describes a practice encompassing bespoke pieces and ready-to-wear hats made in New York City. It also identifies Rivera as a Parsons alumna, with a background across clothing and accessories.
Finding the hat that belongs to you
In a January 2016 interview with bazaar.town, Rivera resisted the idea of a single hat that would suit everyone. Her emphasis was on finding a shape, fit and color that worked for the individual. She also described an everyday hat as a relatively neutral piece that could accompany different outfits.
That practical view sat alongside an interest in expressive design. Rivera discussed learning from vintage garments, design history and different cultures, then developing ideas through experimentation and variations. In her account, the hat could carry a personal point of view while still earning a place in an ordinary wardrobe.
A sense of place, made personal
A later collaboration gave personalization a specific form. In a November 2020 interview published by Sidereal Haus, Rivera explained a hat inspired by the property and its setting in Jackson, Wyoming. She described bringing the openness of the landscape into conversation with the energy of New York.
The project included embroidered geographic coordinates. The interview presented these as customizable, allowing a wearer to choose a place with personal meaning. This is a documented example of a past collaboration, rather than a claim about the hat’s availability today.
Reading the whole outfit
Our reading of these interviews is that character and usefulness can develop together. When trying a hat, look beyond the close-up reflection of your face. Consider its brim and crown alongside the shoulders of your coat or jacket, then see how it works with clothes you already wear. A quiet color can leave room for a distinctive shape; a small detail can carry a memory without dominating the outfit.
For another perspective on accessories and everyday dress, read about Armando Cabral’s approach to footwear, or explore the Grandpa Style Archive.