Entrepreneur Marcelo Sarquis invests in Rio’s fashion market, opening soon Aba’s first brick-and-mortar store, specializing in original Panama hats, at Shopping Cassino Atlântico
Marketed by Aba since 2004, the original and certified pieces have been handcrafted and produced by the indigenous people of Ecuador, descendants of the Incas, for over a thousand years.
Entrepreneur Marcelo Sarquis, one of the largest importers of Panama hats in Brazil, invests in the fashion market in Rio and with the opening, planned for November, of Aba’s first physical store specializing in original and certified Panama, in Shopping Cassino Atlântico, on the first floor, entrance from the beach, with handmade models for men and women, bringing back a fashion trend and contributing to the indigenous communities of Ecuador, descendants of the Incas, who produce these parts for more than a thousand years.
Rio de Janeiro is one of the cities that most influences fashion in Brazil and in the world. Its natural beauty and diversity inspire the creation of colors, styles and trends in the behavior of those who live in or visit the city. Rio is the birthplace of important names and brands such as Aba, a pioneer in Panama hats.
The straw of the “Panama” hat originates in only one place in the world: in Ecuador. Handmade, entirely by hand, they can take anywhere from 2 days to 6 months to make, depending on the hat.
The hat got the name “Panama” at the beginning of the 20th century, when the French and Americans, who participated in the construction works of the Canal, began to imitate the local workers, using the hats to protect themselves from heat and humidity. . When they returned to their places, they were asked where those hats came from and they answered: Panama!
Notoriety increased when the then president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, paid a visit to the Canal works and appeared on the covers of American newspapers wearing the hat. ABA Hats of Panama exists since 2004, being a company specialized in the import and commercialization of the original Panama hat.
In addition to the traditional ones, Aba also has a full line of colored hats, with patterns in dark blue, light blue, pink, yellow, purple, orange, purple, green, raw, white, black… a world of colors! And you can still find slim, semi-slim, super slim, rower and alon models on the Tab, among others. The product is certified and 100% original.
About Marcelo Sarquis
Marcelo Sarquis is the most famous hat-Panama importer of the millennium, for his now well-known company Aba. He entered the business in early 2000, when he was selling some products and came across a customer who wanted a “soft” hat. Searching the internet, I found it. He contacted the Ecuadorian Consulate and the Brazil-Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce and purchased only 24 pieces, which were sold immediately. In 2002, after the second shipment, he bought 500 units and became an importer, even changing the date of the importers event in Ecuador so that his presence was possible, since he was the only entrepreneur with the seal of that government the country. This year, Aba’s first physical store will be opened, at Shopping Cassino Atlântico, on the first floor, entering from the beach.
How are Panama Flap Hats Made?
“In the morning, climbing the slopes of Ecuador, it is necessary to find the plant known as Toquilla, whose scientific name is “Carludovica Palmata”. After cutting, the straw is taken to a small hut or even to the House of to the Indians, descendants of the Incas, where the bark is removed and the inner straw is put in to boil, then the Indians put it in to dry and then they begin to weave it. It is the work of the master. This is the beginning of the Panama Hat.
And they continue to weave, with their own hands, every crown and every clash. A tradition of the descendants of the Incas, passed down from generation to generation. At the end, the finishing is done and the strips are placed. This is how the Panama hat became, desired all over the world”, explains Marcelo Sarquis, from ABA Chapéu Panamá.
Showroom: R. Xavier da Silveira, 40 – Sl 313 – Copacabana – RJ – Brazil
Contacts: 21 3072-0800 / 98350-0014
E-mail: [email protected]
Store: Shopping Cassino Atlântico – 1st floor – beach entrance – Copacabana – RJ
(Expected opening: early November)
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