Homero Ortega Peñafiel (1916-1999), a visionary Ecuadorian businessman belongs to a family dedicated, through five generations, to designing, producing and exporting "Panama hats, Montecristi o Jipijapa".
On January 9, 1972, he founded the society that has his name. This company presently produces the finest toquilla straw hats in the world. A strict quality control, unique designs and the exclusive products handle, are commercialized through the most famous and important outlets in North America and Europe..
Cuenca, Andean city of Ecuador (2.580 mts) declared "Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity" by the UNESCO is the permanent location of our industrial plant. The products in that location are processed handmade by knitting masters, whom have inherited a rich tradition of 400 years.
Dedicated craftsmen, in a totally handy made process, achieve the hats with first quality accessories. This process completes the hats' finishing to give them the first category for export they deserve.
Wave a "toquilla hat" means entering in a magic world of myth and legend. That is why the European Royalty, presidents and well-known personalities all around the world, have worn and wear them presently.
Alicia Ortega Salamea, daughter of the company's founder, altogether with her brothers Homero and Gladys are taking over the family's mission to offer to the world the beautiful Ecuadorian handicrafts. Presently our products have reached international recognition and are considered as real jewels and collection pieces.
Through the years, this business has become an important employment generator in Ecuador. It gives work to nearly 50 thousand of people: harvesters, weavers and producers.