The Bond
Marten grew up in Manchester, surrounded by stories of honest craftsmanship and the pride of a working city. Colin came from Birmingham, raised in a family that had worked with their hands for generations, where precision and dedication were second nature.
We met in 1979 in a small hat workshop in the heart of Birmingham. We were both just fifteen years old. Marten started there as a young apprentice eager to master the craft; Colin had been part of the team for some time and knew the workshop inside out.
Among the rhythm of the machines, the scent of steamed felt and tables filled with wooden blocks, we quickly formed a close friendship. What united us was the shared belief that a hat is never just an accessory, it is an extension of one's personality
Founding the Company
After twenty years of working side by side, learning and shaping our vision, we felt it was time to bring our own ideas to life.
In 2000 we found a modest space in Manchester's Northern Quarter, just behind Oldham Street, and there Marten & Co was born.
Marten brought the practical, hard-working mindset of Manchester, while Colin added his eye for form, detail and refined technique. Together we set out to revive the traditional art of hat-making: contemporary, accessible and built on genuine craftsmanship.
The Heart of Our Craft
In 2009 we opened our first full-scale production facility on the outskirts of Manchester. It became the beating heart of Marten & Co, a place where expert hands and modern machinery worked side by side.
Even as production increased, one principle remained unshakable: every hat had to be touched by skilled hands. This allowed more and more people to discover our signature style, comfortable, durable and timeless.
This expansion transformed Marten & Co from a local name into a brand that began appearing in shops across the country.
A Quarter Century of Mastery
Now, 25 years later, Marten & Co stands firmly rooted in Manchester, the city where our journey began and where our workshop still buzzes with craft and creativity.
What once began in a modest workspace in Birmingham has grown into a brand with international reach. Yet our hats still carry the values that united us from the very beginning: craftsmanship, simplicity, character and respect for the trade.
Every hat crafted by Marten & Co tells a story, and ours is far from finished.
About Us
Hi, we’re Marten and Colin. We’re glad you’ve found your way here.
We’ve spent the last 25 years working with felt and fabric, making hats and headwear by hand. Our focus has always been on care, patience and using materials that last.
What began in a small workshop grew into something more meaningful, a way to create honest, lasting work for people who value quality and timeless design.
What began in a small workshop grew into something more meaningful: a way to create honest, lasting work for people who value quality and timeless design.
The Journey
It all began in a small workshop with a few tools, a collection of felt blocks and a simple belief: do things the right way, not the fast way. There is something grounding about working with your hands, feeling each shape, each steam and watching raw material take on a life of its own.
Over the years that approach hasn't changed. Every hat I make carries the same intention: to last. Not only in how it is built, but in what it comes to mean. Something that becomes part of your everyday, travels with you and grows better with time.
Why We Love What We Do
For us, working with felt and fabric has never only been about making hats. It's about creating something useful, lasting and true.
Every Marten & Co piece comes from time spent choosing the right materials, refining each detail and finishing every edge by hand. There's a quiet joy in watching it all come together, knowing that what began as raw felt now carries value and purpose in someone's life.
Looking Ahead
As I look toward the next chapter, my focus remains the same. I still believe in slow, thoughtful craftsmanship, and I'm grateful for every hat that leaves the workshop.
These pieces aren't mass-produced or hurried. Just the best of what I've learned, shaped with care and made with pride.
Thank you for being here. Your support has meant more than I can put into words. And if one of these pieces finds its way onto your head, I hope it serves you as faithfully as the craft has served me.