Renowned Hills Hats seeks crowdfunding

25/11/2025 6 min
Renowned Hills Hats seeks crowdfunding

Listen "Renowned Hills Hats seeks crowdfunding"

Episode Synopsis


"Without hats there is no civilization" according to French fashion designer Christian Dior. But as people tighten their belts it seems headwear is suffering with a renowned Wellington milliner, Hills Hats fighting to stay open. The 150 year old business, one of Aotearoa's oldest manufacturers, is relying on crowd funding to help cover the cost of relocating to a more compact factory, and to keep going in the face of rising costs. Hills Hats chief executive Simon Smuts-Kennedy spoke to Lisa Owen.