How My Hat Became My Resume

Ki Pharaoh: Mr.Hat x Spencer Hart 

I don’t have a college degree or a polished LinkedIn profile, nor do I tick all the corporate boxes. I’ve never worked in-house for a global brand or walked the halls of a top ad agency. Yet, I disrupted an entire industry with just a hat as a resume.

What began as a fascination with millinery—a craft often sidelined—evolved into a mission to revive its legacy and elevate the artisans behind it. Through innovations like the Mr. Hat Formula and co-founding The Hatterist, the first digital agency dedicated to headwear, I gave this timeless craft a new voice that transcended its traditional circles. The result? A reimagining of how the world sees hats and the creators who make them.

For me, it started with my late grandfather’s hat—a black rabbit fur-felt fedora from the 1940s. Before he passed, he gave it to me. That hat wasn’t just an accessory; it was a piece of him. It sparked my love for millinery and the stories hats carry. This connection inspired me to launch Hatabouttown, a blog where I documented stylish headwear and uncovered the personal stories behind them. From covering London Fashion Week to discovering hidden millinery gems, the blog became a global platform for hat lovers.

One post led to another, and soon, I was providing brand strategy for brands like Lock & Co., Borsalino, and Stetson, producing social campaigns that helped them connect with younger, style-conscious audiences. What started as a passion project became a powerful market research tool, helping brands adapt to shifting cultural landscapes. It became clear that millinery needed more than preservation; it needed innovation.

As I immersed myself in the craft, a pattern emerged: the craftsmanship was exceptional, but the marketing lagged behind. Milliners weren’t just making hats; they were telling stories, but those stories weren’t reaching younger audiences. This insight inspired the Mr. Hat Formula, a five-pillar framework designed to elevate artisans and brands through storytelling, personal branding, and community-building:

•My Story / Niche:

Align personal experiences with professional goals to define your unique value.

•Relationships / Community:

Foster a global network of like-minded individuals and collaborators.

•Hone Craft / Expertise:

Deepen skills and knowledge to engage with authenticity and impact.

•Authority / Differentiation:

Build credibility and stand out by offering unique insights or solutions.

•Transformation / Innovation:

Drive progress and reshape the industry through creativity and strategic partnerships.

This framework extended beyond millinery, leading to collaborations with brands like Converse and Stance, as well as HatsOnly, an event series celebrating headwear as art and culture. What began in a cramped East London basement grew into a global phenomenon, with events spanning Asia, Europe, and the U.S. One standout moment was partnering with Grammy-winning artist Erykah Badu for a Secret Hat-Themed After Party honoring the 25th anniversary of her iconic Baduizm UK tour. The event brought Badu’s hat-loving world to life, featuring a pop-up hat-making bar, a striking 12ft branded hat wall, hat-inspired cocktails, and an intimate performance by Badu herself. Celebrity Guests included Chance the Rapper, Dua Lipa, G-Eazy, and Lucien Laviscount. With features by British Vogue, GQ, and i-D Magazine, the event was crowned the UK’s Most Unique Party of 2017. Collaborations like this infused creative energy into the craft, reaffirming that hats are more than accessories; they’re expressions of identity, culture, and art.

When the pandemic brought the world to a standstill, it also brought new opportunities. Alongside Mark and Nichola Harris, I co-founded The Hatterist, the first digital agency dedicated exclusively to headwear. Our mission was to connect traditional millinery with modern marketing, ensuring its survival and relevance. By dismantling outdated perceptions, we proved hats could be platforms for storytelling, creativity, and innovation.

Navigating the industry as a young Black hat designer/restorer was challenging, but early supporters like Hypebeast, i-D Magazine, and Highsnobiety gave my vision momentum. Their platforms opened doors to collaborations that highlighted the value of overlooked artistry and sparked vital conversations about underrepresented creatives.

A defining moment came at the British Fashion Council’s Headonism exhibit when legendary milliner Stephen Jones told me, “You’ve given our craft a voice that resonates beyond our circles. What you’re doing isn’t just unique; it’s transformative.” Those words reaffirmed my commitment to making the invisible visible. This mission extends beyond millinery. Through HatsOnly events and mentoring niche creatives, my work uncovers extraordinary stories often overlooked. It’s about listening and asking: Who’s behind the scenes? What stories remain untold?

For me, it started with a hat. For you, it could begin with a story, a passion, or an idea. If you look closer, the potential to disrupt industries, amplify voices, and transform culture is everywhere.

Every hat tells a story. What’s yours?