Julianne Martin and Anne Ingham are longtime Lone Tree neighbors who turned their love of entertaining, travel, and style into a custom hat shop, cutting, steaming, and styling their Western-inspired creations at high-end events such as weddings and conferences.
A combination of family names, Harvey Martin Hats is a venture that blends Martin’s deep Texas roots — she hails from a third-generation South Texas ranching family — and Ingham’s 30 years working in product development and clothing design.
In addition to their mobile events, they host private groups at an in-home studio that includes curated cocktails and a nibble spread to wet the whistle. To keep up with demand, they've grown their business to include other family members and friends who also trained in hatmaking to help with the growing brand.
The neighbors-turned-family friends know how to party, and look good doing it. Here, they share how they started Harvey Martin Hats and what custom can do for you.
Tell us the story behind Harvey Martin Hats.
Martin: Traveling together, we found ourselves collecting not only memories but hats. Wherever our adventures took us, especially to my home state of Texas, we embraced the tradition, often wearing hats that reflected the places and people we encountered.
Getting our hats cleaned at a local hat shop, we chatted with the owner about our growing passion for hats., Tthey looked at us and asked, "Why aren't you turning this passion into your own business?" We walked out of the shop inspired. Before we had even reached the car, Anne turned to me with complete certainty and declared, "We're doing this!"
Before launching Harvey Martin Hats, you invested time learning the craft. Tell us about the training you went through to become hat makers.
Ingham: We were fortunate to spend a week learning from a generational hat maker, immersing ourselves in the craft and tradition of hat making. We knew that if we were going to put our names on a product we were truly passionate about, we needed to invest the time and effort to master the skills behind it.
From cutting brims and shaping hats with steam to working with a variety of materials, every step was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Along the way, we gained a deep appreciation for the history, craftsmanship, and artistry behind each shape, style, and material. It was an experience that exceeded anything we could have imagined and continues to inspire every hat we create.
What sets Harvey Martin Hats apart?
Martin: One of the biggest lessons we learned during our training is that there's room for every hat maker. Every maker has their own style, their own process, and their own way of presenting their craft. For us, it's never been just about the hat;, it’s about the experience.
Our goal is to create a one-on-one experience where every customer leaves with a hat that is uniquely theirs. Each hat is carefully fitted to their head, cut, steamed, and shaped to complement their face and reflect their personal style. No two hats are exactly alike because no two customers are.
We aren't a click-and-buy online business, and we don't believe customization stops with choosing a color and tying on a ribbon. Every detail is intentional. Whether your style is simple and timeless or bold and bougie, we work with you to create a hat that tells your story.
Some of our most meaningful embellishments come from a ranch visit and generations of gathering special pieces that have found new life on our hats. We are constantly creating new ways to make each hat and every appointment as personal and memorable as possible.
Walk us through what happens during a fitting, and why creating that one-on-one experience is such an important part of your brand.
Ingham: Living in Colorado, we all know there are incredible places to buy a great hat. Some specialize in luxury, high-end pieces with luxury price tags. Others focus on fun, trendy hats that are easy on the budget.
We wanted to create something in between, a high-end, personalized experience that feels elevated without requiring a luxury-level investment. A place where quality, creativity, and style come together in a way that's both bougie and budget-friendly. Every appointment begins with you. We measure for the perfect fit, help you find the right color and shape, and guide you toward a style that feels authentic. Then the fun begins.
Our collection includes exclusive mixed-metal accessories, custom-made as both magnetic and pin options, making it easy to personalize your hat without compromising versatility. Whether you're looking for a classic Western cowboy hat, a modern ranch-inspired style, or a hip fedora that's ready for a concert at Red Rocks, we'll create a hat that's uniquely yours.
What trends are you seeing right now?
Martin: People walk in all the time asking for a black hat, but interestingly, it's actually the color we sell the least of. Instead, we're seeing customers fall in love with beautiful blues, rich earth tones, and other bold colors that create a much more custom, one-of-a-kind look.
Personal branding has also become incredibly popular. We're creating brands that go far beyond simple initials, making each hat tell a unique story. We've designed wedding hats featuring names or special dates stenciled onto feathers, tribute brands honoring loved ones, and even incorporated meaningful keepsakes like bullet casings from a family ranch or memorable experiences into hat pins and hatbands.
More than ever, people want their hat to represent something personal, something that reflects their story, memories, or the people they love. That's what makes a custom hat so special.
What's been your favorite customer moment so far?
Ingham: Recently, we had the opportunity to create custom hats for a couple and their two adult children from Chicago at an event in Vail. They all left talking about how much fun they had and what a memorable part of their Colorado visit the experience became.
I love that they shared that moment together, and that we were able to be a small part of creating that memory. Seeing people feel the same excitement and connection to a hat that we feel when we make them is truly something special.
Running a business together as friends isn't always easy. What have you learned about one another, and what makes your partnership work?
We are great friends, and we have the ability to disagree without taking things personally. We each bring different strengths and talents to the business, and we want those talents to thrive. At the end of the day, our friendship is the most important thing. We communicate openly, work through challenges, and always find a solution together. We’re finding success because we both understand why we’re here and what we’re working toward.
Favorite hat you make?
Julianne: One I need to quit calling a Tweener. It’s a fedora I made into a cowboy-style hat.
Anne: I would say the Lizzie, a twist fedora front and slightly curved side brim.
Favorite hat color?
Julianne: Blue
Anne: Olive
Ranch day or date night?
Julianne: Hard one!
Anne: Date night wearing a hat.
Boots or sneakers?
Julianne: Boots
Anne: Boots
Morning coffee or margarita?
Julianne: Morning coffee and afternoon margarita. Equally important.
Anne: Coffee
One fashion rule you're happy to break?
Julianne: I don't like matchy–matchy. I like things to feel curated and meaningful, interesting.
Anne: I like to wear white all year round.