"hat making felt like a beautiful art form that allowed me to express myself creatively while also staying connected to culture and tradition."
gilberto marquez | hatmaker - founder of marquez clásico
GILBERT MARQUEZ, A self-taught Chicano hat maker, creates handcrafted pieces made in Los Angeles, CA. HE IS THE FOUNDER OF MARQUEZ CLASICO, A HAT COMPANY rooted in Mexican-American tradition. HE DRAWS influence from traditional Chicano style and the elegance of El Cine de Oro de Mexico, as well as the community around him. His work feels both timeless and modern, all at the same time.
Every hat he makes goes beyond fashion, they are a reflection of identity, pride and the people who came before him.
When I first arrived at1035 N Broadway, located in the Chinatown neighborhood of LA, the first thing that caught my eye was the old brick building occupied by Marquez Clasico. It represented a bold history, still standing strong and providing soul to the community around it. As I stood at the heavily tinted doors of the shop - only reflecting myself, my gear and the Los Angeles street behind me - I was about to experience the heart of that old brick building through Gilbert & Cinthya Marquez.
One step inside the showroom felt more like stepping into an art gallery. A carefully curated area set up to represent a culture. Handcrafted hats of all different shapes and colors, luchador masks, handmade art from their friends, old boxing gloves and even a record player, complete with a Chalino Sanchez record.
It didn’t take long to realize this wasn’t really just about hats or fashion, it was about honoring and preserving. Every detail felt intentional, from the mezcal-stocked Bar El Clasico to the classic portraits on the wall.
This is heart, this is soul, this is Marquez Clasico.
-Geoff
“For me, hat making is more than fashion - it’s a form of art, identity and cultural preservation.”
briefly describe yourself and what you do?
1
I’m Gilberto Marquez, a Chicano hat maker from Southern California and the founder of Marquez Clasico (www.marquezclasico.com). My craft is handmade hat making rooted in Mexican-American culture, tradition, and storytelling. Every hat I make is meant to honor heritage while creating something timeless that people can wear with pride. For me, hat making is more than fashion - it’s a form of art, identity and cultural preservation. Inspired by the generations before me, my work is about reclaiming and celebrating our narrative through craftsmanship and style.
“I became obsessed with understanding the process, the structure, and the artistry behind every detail.”
were you self-taught or have a mentor?
2
I was self-taught and learned a lot by taking hats apart and putting them back together again. When I first started, I was really just making hats for myself. I became obsessed with understanding the process, the structure and the artistry behind every detail. Over time, I started documenting the journey on social media, and it slowly grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined. What began as a personal creative outlet eventually turned into a brand and a platform that connected with people who saw themselves and their culture reflected in the work.
"For me, it’s about preserving culture and keeping it alive through men’s attire, honoring old traditions while also making them digestible for younger generations."
why do you do what you do?
3
I started making hats because I always wanted to create some form of art. I was never very good at drawing or painting, so I leaned into something I was already passionate about - fashion, especially men’s fashion. Hat making felt like a beautiful art form that allowed me to express myself creatively while also staying connected to culture and tradition. For me, it’s about preserving culture and keeping it alive through men’s attire, honoring old traditions while also making them digestible for younger generations. A lot of our culture has always been passed down through word of mouth and storytelling, and today, social media has become a modern form of that storytelling. I saw hat making as a way to combine all of those things - art, fashion, heritage, and community - into one craft.
“Culture, music, community and the people around me constantly inspire the work as well - every hat tells a story connected to those influences.”
what inspires you?
4
I’m heavily inspired by traditional Mexican attire and Chicano fashion, especially the style and elegance from "El Cine de Oro de México" — the Golden Era of Mexican film. Icons like Pedro Infante, María Félix, Tin Tan, and Emilio Fernández have all inspired me through the way they carried themselves, their confidence, and their timeless style. I really admire the elegance and pride that came through in that era, and I try to bring some of that spirit into my work while blending it with modern Chicano culture. Culture, music, community, and the people around me constantly inspire the work as well - every hat tells a story connected to those influences.
special thank you to gilberto & cinthya marquez.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TIME WITH ME, LETTING ME INVADE THIS BEAUTIFUL INSPIRING SPACE YOU'VE CREATED. YOUR TALENT IS BEYOND AND MORE SO, YOUR GENUINE SINCERITY SPEAKS EVEN LOUDER. IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY, FOLLOW @MARQUEZCLASICO ON INSTAGRAM TO SEE ALL THE RAD STUFF THEY'RE DOING. THEY HAVE KILLER STYLE, AND STYLE NEVER GOES OUT OF FASHION.
-GEOFF
MONTGOMERY PROD. CO.