Conversations with Dirk Dye

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dirk Dye.

Hi Dirk, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all started at a flea market…I found a bitchin’ hat that needed some work, and realized after speaking with the seamstress that I could dig around for some materials and do the work myself. Little did I know what started as a need to fix my hat would turn into a forever passion. It went from figuring how felts worked over a hat block my buddy made, to learning how to make the hat blocks myself. Through trial and error I was able to learn about all of the efforts and details that go into making custom hats . After years of refining my own process, I’m hyped where I’m at today. I’m creating a truly bespoke product using only the highest quality hand picked materials, and utilizing an entirely handmade approach.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest challenge is maintaining the balance between staying true to my process while thinking of ways to expand my business to a point that it can become my sole income. Of course I would love to spend countless hours and get lost in the details of every request that comes my way, however, how do you monetize the true effort and time it takes behind every stitch. Finding customers who can really appreciate the craftsmanship behind a true bespoke hat doesn’t always come so easy.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Working as a graphic designer in footwear and apparel for most of my career, has trained me to really understand and consider the importance of details in everything I create and do. I focus on creating an environment that makes the journey along the way a memorable experience not just for the customer, but for me as well. This to me is the most important part of anything I work on, both in my career and my hat making; the journey and the outcome.
With that said, I’m a pretty damn determined person which serves me well in just about anything I do!

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
To be honest I’m not one for apps, technology or the modern world, ha! But I guess I would say the app that influences my life greatly is Google Maps. Getting outdoors as much as I can gives me inspiration and breathing room to help process and express my emotions through the things I make. Being connected to nature helps ground me to big picture shit. I think this is so crucial to being a human on this planet, is understanding how to channel what’s happening in the world around you while still showing up for your day to day. Now if I’m going to read a book, it’s most likely going to be related to my love for the west, but that’s about how far it goes. Nature has always been the main resource in all things I do.

Pricing:

• Custom base 10X Hat – $475
• Custom base 50X Hat – $575
• Custom base 100X Hat – $675

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rawlinhats.com
• Instagram: @rawlinhats

Image Credits
Vern Moen
Ingrid Leia Bryan