Many years ago we were contacted by both Indiana Jones fans and hat collectors who wanted a genuine pre World War 2 fedora. Hats from this era were generally taller and had fuller crowns than the hats of today. Most were sold as "Open Crown" hats with the pre creased styles becoming more popular after WW2.  

The Hattery set about creating a new hat from our design. Advice from Mark Cross (Indygear.com) and Steve Delk (Adventurebilt) the hat maker for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, have assisted with the final result. They have no pre determined shape. At no stage do we make any claim that this hat is a replica of the Indiana Jones hat as used in the movies. This hat has been made on a set of older hat blocks from the 1920's, and has been left in an "open crown" state allowing customers to shape according to their desire.

When we introduced the first model we needed a name. The year was 1998 - the Centenary of Federation in Australia was near, with many historical pictures published showing people in hats such as the one we created. Hence the name The Federation. Hatsdirect has been at the forefront of offering "Open Crown" style hats into the collectors market. The hat has been through 3 transitions since its introduction, introducing a contrasting ribbon, a dimensional cut brim, and the addition of the deluxe. We have now introduced a new set of specifications and refinements based on feedback and customer requests and have logically arrived at The Federation IV.

The Federation IV has been hand picked by various stage and movie production studios around the world. Its authentic, classic open crown shape provides a perfect platform for a wide variety of characters in any setting.

One recent customer is a special one indeed. British actor Bill Nighy starred in the local production of the family film "Buckley's Chance". Bill chose the hat for the character himself, shaping the hat with the help of the production team.

Enduring the hot & dry conditions of Broken Hill, the Federation IV handled the red dirt superbly. Bill loved the hat so much he took one home with him and one of the hats used in the production is signed by Bill, on show in our Katoomba store!

Bill wears the Federation IV Deluxe in Heritage Fawn, we think he looks fantastic. Watch Bill Nighy strut his stuff in the trailer below!