Understanding the challenge
Barret de Marès is a family-inspired hat brand that seeks to transform a personal legacy into a contemporary and commercially viable project. The challenge lies in preserving the emotional value and craftsmanship associated with my maternal grandfather’s original hat-making business while redefining the brand for today’s market. We aim to revive this tradition under his surname, Marès, creating a distinctive identity that connects its history with modern design, current consumer expectations, and a sustainable business model.
Brand and Storytelling
We created a new brand identity that honoured the heritage and values behind the original family business while making it relevant to a new generation of customers. This involved developing the visual identity, branding, packaging, brand storytelling and an organic, approachable communication strategy designed to connect authentically with people. The goal was to preserve the craftsmanship, authenticity and family legacy at the heart of the project while presenting them through a contemporary and commercially relevant brand experience.
Product Design and Development
The collection design process was rooted in a commitment to local craftsmanship, natural materials and timeless design. Each hat was developed in collaboration with local master hatmakers and finished with handmade details and embellishments created by us. We carefully selected friendly materials such as wool, seaweed and cotton canvas to create distinctive pieces with a natural character. The packaging, including the wrapping paper and labels, are also made from organic materials. The collections were designed to transcend seasonal trends, with several gender-neutral styles and a strong focus on quality, durability and craftsmanship, creating hats intended to be worn, cherished and passed from one generation to the next.
Digital Platforms
As part of the brand’s commercial development, we designed and launched an e-commerce website to create a seamless purchasing experience for our customers. The platform was structured to support multiple payment options and integrated with inventory management to maintain accurate stock control. We developed the logistics process for national and US shipments. Most of our communication with customers was conducted through social media, which allowed us to build direct relationships, share product updates and provide personalized assistance throughout the purchasing process.
