Feathers
Feathers have long symbolised status and spirituality, from the ostrich plumes of ancient Egyptian goddesses to the eagle feather headdresses of North American tribal chiefs. By the 19th century, feathers were so fashionable in European aristocracy that demand threatened bird populations worldwide, sparking a new era of ecological responsibility.
MY BOB embraces this ethos. The feathers used in our brooches are ethically sourced from non-endangered species, with rare feathers carefully replicated using common alternatives: marabou substituted with goose or turkey, birds of paradise recreated with rooster feathers.
Working with a German and an Italian workshop, we combine traditional craftsmanship with environmental consciousness to create brooches that are as colourful as they are eco-friendly.
Featherwork is a manual craft of great precision. No machine can replicate it.
Embroidery
India is both a world worth visiting and a treasure trove of craftsmanship. We have the pleasure of working with renowned regional embroiderers, masters of hand embroidery techniques that have evolved from antiquity to contemporary fashion without ever losing their essence of elegance.
MY BOB draws on this heritage to decorate pieces such as hat ribbons and brooches. Working alongside Indian artisans whose skills have been passed down through generations, we bring together a rich variety of embroidery styles: the intricate Kantha of West Bengal, the vibrant Phulkari of Punjab, and the delicate mirror work of Gujarat's Kutch region.
More recently, we have begun applying this embroidery to leather goods, creating refined, personalised pieces such as belts and glasses cases. The result is a meeting of age-old skill and modern design, producing accessories that are as individual as they are elegant.
PANAMA HAT
Despite their name, Panama hats originate in Ecuador, where they are made from finely hand-woven palm straw. Their popularity soared during the construction of the Panama Canal, when President Roosevelt was famously photographed wearing one, cementing the hat's place in history.
We honour this heritage by working with skilled Ecuadorian artisans who continue a centuries-old tradition of hat making.
Beyond their style, Panama hats are wonderfully practical: light, breathable, and ideal protection from the sun. Our collection spans a range of shapes, weaves and colours, so there is a match for every style and occasion.
FELT HEADWEAR
Creating a MY BOB felt hat calls for precision and real expertise.
Handcrafting felt takes between nine and twelve days. It is a notoriously difficult material: unlike most fabrics, its fibres are interlaced in every direction rather than woven in a single pattern, giving it both its strength and its complexity.
For our finest headwear, we use soft fur felt, crafted in Spain by a workshop we have partnered with since our very first collection. Renowned for classic, high-quality pieces made for some of the world's leading brands, their process, from shaping to final decoration, is largely carried out by a team of dedicated women who sing traditional songs during their breaks, a warm, joyful energy that runs through everything they make.
For our more playful, fashion-forward pieces, often in wool felt, we turn to an Italian workshop with a natural flair for colour and design. Fashion runs in their blood, and creations like the leopard-print LOVE hat or the polka-dot FOLCO are proof of their imagination at work.
Macramé
Macramé is an ancient art of decorative knotting, with roots that may trace back to the Arabic word "migramah" (ornamental fringe) or the Turkish "makrama" (napkin or table mat).
We collaborate with an Italian craftsman to bring this tradition to life, drawing on Italy's own rich macramé history, which flourished during a 16th-century revival.
Each piece is meticulously handmade, often finished with beads, shells or other small details that add character and charm. The PRONTO telephone holder is a perfect example of the intricacy and elegance this craft brings to our collection.
From bracelets to belts and keyrings, our macramé pieces blend traditional knotting techniques with a distinctly modern, colourful design language.
RAFFIA CRAFT
Raffia is a natural fibre drawn from the leaves of the palm tree, native to tropical regions such as Madagascar. We work with local women artisans to honour this ancestral weaving tradition, celebrating raffia's raw beauty and remarkable versatility, qualities that have made it increasingly popular in fashion in recent years.
Our raffia pieces, including the Colin bag, a flagship model from our spring-summer 2024 collection, show just how much creativity and elegance this humble material can hold. Each piece is as stylish as it is meaningful, reflecting our commitment to sustainable, authentic craftsmanship.
Across all of our crafts, from embroidery to raffia weaving, MY BOB brings together traditional techniques and modern sustainability, creating accessories that honour cultural heritage while looking firmly toward the future.