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THE FINEST HATS.
THE STRONGEST CANES
Throughout the history of fashion, many different groups of people have used style as a symbol of resistance. Self-expression through style gives the otherwise voiceless the power to challenge political and social issues. It is a tangible form of resistance that is available to all. From women in the ’60s ripping off their bras to the established elegance of the Harlem Renaissance, appearance has long been used to change and rebel against society. We seek to capture this spirit of resistance, self-love, and empowerment in every hat and cane that we create.
Our founder, Jamel Workman, is largely inspired by the history of outward protest through dress and the history of headdress-wear. He is influenced by cultures throughout the world who strive to re-define how a black person should present themselves to the world and who create beauty in a harsh reality. Every headdress is inspired by history and designed to never go out of style.
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Jamel Workman
Head Designer and Owner
Founder and Owner of Dandy, Jamel works personally on all hats.
FROM THE HEART OF
Historic Philadelphia
Dandy Bespoke Headdress & Canes take stylistic influences from the historic city of Philadelphia. A center of culture, creativity and legacy, you will find the clothing reflects the city itself.
MAY 1998
I was hanging out with some friends from school and one of them told me the cops were at my house. I was 16 years old when I was arrested. I refused to take a plea deal for a crime I wasn’t guilty of, so I sat in jail for 2 years awaiting my trial.
2000
We were poor, but my mom didn’t see it as an option to leave me in jail, so she got me a lawyer. He didn’t do much for me and so at 18 years old, I was sentenced to a fate of 10-20 years. I was just a kid who wanted my mom, so I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I wasn’t a street kid. I was a schoolboy.
2008
I was finally released on parole at 28 years old. I had been in a cell for more years than I had been in my own house. So, I had to try and find a job with absolutely no work experience. I realized the U.S. system for re-integration wasn’t going to get me where I wanted to go, so I took it upon myself to find someone who would hire me.
MAY 2008
A close friend of mine spam called her friend who owned Major League Cuts Barbershop for days until she finally convinced him to give me a shot. I was hired in May of 2008, a week after my release.
JUNE 2009
After a year of sharpening my skills, I took a roll of the dice and opened up my barbershop in West Philly- Contenders. Since I was a child when I left the streets, I had no credit, so I put up cash and had a friend help me get the space.
2012
My close friend and partner died very suddenly of an asthma attack and I was left to deal with running the business and managing my parole on my own. It was rough on me, but I was determined to stay on my path– I had to succeed.
2017
My hat-making began when I just couldn’t find what I wanted. I wanted to create the Hats I envisioned, so instead of wasting my time and money looking for a hat that didn’t exist, I picked up hatting as a hobby. I studied hat-making programs and researched experienced mentors.
2018
I was always fascinated with American History and it was around this time that I realized I wanted to shape some history of my own. I wanted to be the resource for others that I never really had when I came home from prison. I made it to where I am now because of an act of kindness, so I figured I should pass on the love. Someone gave me the chance to make a change, so I wanted to do the same for others.
2018
I called American Hats Factory in search of hat-making classes. I spoke with Reverand Georgette Morgan-Thomas and learned her factory was originally S&S hat factory– the home of the famous Stetson Hat and one of the most popular millenary factories of the 1920s. Although she didn’t offer classes, she allowed me to visit the factory and learn where I could. I befriended the head hat blocker who had been making hats since he was a kid. He introduced me to some of the fundamental gat blocking rules and techniques. He had over 30 years of experience, so I made it a point to hang around the factory, absorbing and learning everything I could.
2017
Three days after my first factory tour I was inspired to bring Dandy to life. I enrolled in courses with World-renowned millenary experts and started refining my technique.
Building your millinery business – Christie Murray
Flower making – Cherryl McIntyre
Leather blocking – Sophie Allport
Advanced Leather Blocking – Jane Stoddart
Thermoplastic headdress sculpting – Carole Maher
2018
Bought the building next door to my shop. My goal: open a barber school to pass my skills along to others in hopes of keeping them out of prison. The history of the building inspired me. It was a clubhouse for the Montford Point Marines Association, which was a non-profit founded by veterans to memorialize the legacy of the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps. I found it fitting to make history in a place that memorializes it as well as my people.
2020
Met my current mentor and close friend: Timothy J. Mahovich. He is highly respected in the men’s hat-making world so I started off buying supplies from him. To my surprise, it blossomed into a hell of a friendship and mentor-student relationship. I credit him with a lot of what I know.
