Creating conversations and keepsakes

SANDPOINT — Kenzie Holland's creations start with a conversation.

What is their favorite color? Do they have a particular style profile or favorite activity? What makes them happy and captures their personality?

She then works with her clients to create one-of-a-kind, unique creations that are works of art as much as they are hats celebrating the Western lifestyle.

The genesis of Brim & Band Custom Hats, Holland's new company that helps clients create, shape and customize Western hats, both straw and felt, can be traced to growing up on a Bonner County ranch and living the Western lifestyle.

"I tell people that anyone can buy a hat, and can probably find something very similar (to some of them) but nobody has the same exact design as most of my items and so once they are on the hat, it becomes that person's own."

A sixth-generation local to the Sandpoint and Sagle area, Holland drew inspiration for the business from her ranch upbringing and outdoor lifestyle. She'd grown up wearing such hats, learning from her dad early on how to carefully shape them for the best fit and look.

"Any time one came off his head when he was riding you would pick it up and then later on, he'd boil a pot of water and using the steam, essentially kind of mold the hat back into shape," Holland said.

As the hats gained in popularity, Holland said she began noticing an increasing number of western and felt hat fans traveling to areas such as Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada for custom hats. Long accustomed to personalizing her own hats, the Bonner County native realized she could do the same thing for others as well as herself. She knew the right way to shape the hats, the technique and the different shapes and styles.

Add in a creative personality and an eye for detail, Holland knew that creating the custom hats was the right business venture, giving her the flexibility to work out of her home but to also hold pop-up events at clients' homes or at local businesses.

If clients gravitate toward one color or another, or they favor a certain style of home decor, those preferences provide guidance on the style, color and embellishments needed that will help create a custom piece that speaks to who the wearer is — and ensuring it becomes a treasured wardrobe staple.

"That's really kind of where those ideas start flowing and then, thankfully because we live in such a modern age, I can very easily look up pictures on my phone based on what they are saying and the ideas it is giving me," Holland said. "'Is this kind of what you were thinking?' 'What about this image? Do you like how this image looks?'"

The pictures that Holland has shown clients range from Western ware to nature scenes and everything in between. She discusses colors and home decor, getting to know who her clients are and what makes them happy. She then takes that information and pulls from her extensive collection of bands, embellishments and branding irons to create a custom piece that blends art and function.

"I work really, really hard to understand their vision and their story," Holland said. "I make a lot of personal talk with people when they are working with me. Do they have a family? Do they live in the area? …Their personal story is a lot of what goes into their hat. Even if you don't realize it, your hat is meant to be fully confident and reflective of who you are, a kind of statement of your identity so I just pull a lot of those personal aspects into it."

One client found a rising sun emblem to symbolize that she would always persevere over any obstacles and challenges. Another client couldn't decide on a hat, loving the crown on one and the brim of another; Holland was able to reshape it at the event to the woman's delight.

Holland carefully shapes the hat, by hand, to fit the client's desired shape and look. Then she begins adding different bands, trimming and embellishments, drawing inspiration from the ongoing conversation.

Holland shapes both well-loved and treasured hats as well as new, custom hats created for clients. Existing hats can be refurbished and given a new look through embellishments and new bands, as well as reshaped to help bring it back to life, she said.

Many felt hats are an investment, with custom shaping becoming increasingly popular as fans want both the longevity of the hat and a unique piece that stands out from what other people may be wearing. Custom shaping and customization give clients the best of both worlds and, despite what some may think, is actually an affordable option.

Holland is spreading the word about her new business through private hat bar parties and pop-up events. She is also accepting commissions for elaborate custom pieces with burned designs and other customizations to ensure a unique, one-of-a-kind piece.

Holland hopes to eventually have a brick-and-mortar space in downtown Sandpoint, offering space to other small businesses to display and sell their products.

Holland credits her husband, Wesley, and best friend, Anna Mitton, for supporting her in launching her business, and offering help and ideas as needed.

It didn't take long for word to spread. Soon after Holland licensed the business in October, booking spots quickly filled.

Information: brim.bandboutique@gmail.com or 208-946-1177

    A Western felt hat sits against a lantern. The customized hat is one of the creations of Kenzie Holland, who is bringing a custom flair to Western ware through her innovative new business, Brim & Band Custom Hats.
  

    One of Kenzie Holland's customized Western felt hats. The Bonner County native recently launched Brim & Band Custom Hats to give area residents a unique hat that speaks to who they are.
  

    Kenzie Holland works to shape a Western felt hat into one of her customized creations. The Bonner County native recently launched Brim & Band Custom Hats to give area residents a unique hat that speaks to who they are.
  

    Kenzie Holland works to shape a Western felt hat into one of her customized creations. The Bonner County native recently launched Brim & Band Custom Hats to give area residents a unique hat that speaks to who they are.
  

    Kenzie Holland works to shape a Western felt hat into one of her customized creations. The Bonner County native recently launched Brim & Band Custom Hats to give area residents a unique hat that speaks to who they are.
  

    Kenzie Holland works to shape a Western felt hat into one of her customized creations. The Bonner County native recently launched Brim & Band Custom Hats to give area residents a unique hat that speaks to who they are.
  

    Kenzie Holland works to shape a Western felt hat into one of her customized creations. The Bonner County native recently launched Brim & Band Custom Hats to give area residents a unique hat that speaks to who they are.
  

    Kenzie Holland works to shape a Western felt hat into one of her customized creations. The Bonner County native recently launched Brim & Band Custom Hats to give area residents a unique hat that speaks to who they are.