Hat company gets ahead

Cutana Hat Company owner Jack Cunningham with the leather old softie which was worn by the Australian gymnastic team in Switzerland.

Marc Stapelberg

ALSTONVILLE hat manufacturer Jack Cunningham had his work displayed on the world stage as 400 Australian gymnasts sported a Cutuna Hat Company original at a world gymnastics event last week.

The Australian Gymnaestrada team wore the hats during the opening ceremony at Lausanne, Switzerland, two weeks ago.

“I don’t know who recommended me, but I was called out of the blue in March,” Mr Cunningham said.

“It was a pretty standard design and the hardest thing we had to do was add a chin strap.

“They wanted wide brim hats and that style of hat has become more popular in recent years.”

The ceremony included a march with thousands of participants from 55 nations.

It rained during the march, making the wide brimmed hats even handier.

“If nothing else the hats would have been good for a bit of protection in the rain,” Cunningham joked.

“It was the first time I’ve made anything for an Australian team and I was surprised that they came to me.

“Most people shop around and usually order from overseas.

“After they first made contact with me, I thought that would have been the last time I’d hear from them.

“It was a bit of a one-off and I would be surprised if it happened again.

“It would be great, but it is a tough industry to get noticed in.

“About 90% of our orders are from the internet these days.

“Business has changed a bit in the 20 years I’ve been involved and I hope we can keep attracting customers.

“I had two hats ordered from Norway last week.”