Shop Boswell
Source: Brand Assembly
Boutique Overview
Designer Brookes Boswell has always been interested in art, design and material culture. Making hats and working as an interior designer was how she spent years before creating her brand. Founded in 2016 Portland, Oregon, Boswell started her woman-owned business by visualizing how her clients want each piece styled and what would inspire them — she captures the balance between functional ease and a timeless yet modern style. She creates hand-blocked hats and her own personal favorite accessories, wellness products and home goods.
Designer Brookes Boswell
Owner Bio
With a background in architectural design, fine arts and textiles, Boswell has a keen eye for precision and her designs display a classic aesthetic. She has always felt that she had a “unique vision for retail” which made her give the business a shot. She went to school and worked as an interior designer before learning the craft of hand-blocked hats. Her brand takes vintage menswear and connects it with neutral classic style.
Boswell is a self-taught milliner and her background in hat making led her to create her in-house brand “Brookes Boswell Hats.” She describes her process as looking at a lot of vintage hats and trying to design new styles that are wearable even at home.
Inside Look
“Being around so many wonderful apparel designers over the years made me realize that I was as interested in the role of being a curator as I was being a designer.”
Brand Highlights
Tank Dress in Stone
A relaxed, airy dress comfortable for an everyday look. Black Crane believes that clothes should be comfortable, relaxing and useful in your daily life.
Port Harcourt Top in Navy Linen
The Port Harcourt top is named after a beloved city in Nigeria — one known for its culture of fishing and farming. The shirt feels like a staple for people who love the outdoors; a relaxed fit that fits a wide range of body types.
Painted Fauna Trousers in Navy Linen
Inspired by the folk art of the Korhongo people on the Ivory Coast, La Reunion created a motif that would honor the endangered birds of Africa.
Knee Shorts in Purple
Amsterdam-based brand Camiel Fortgens B.V. works to uncover the unpolished nature of people and their social behavior, in which clothing and imagery play a major role. They search for what feels right today, creating an image that challenges the norm.
Medium Patch Shopper Bag in Brown Croc Leather
This bag is one of those staple pieces that goes with a range of different vibes. Whether you’re going to the grocery store, dinner with friends, or going into the office, this bag is a great compliment.
Soller Sport in Custard
These loafers are crafted in Spanish full-grain calf leather, the upper hand-sewn using the traditional moccasin construction. Designers José Luis Bartolomé and Albert Escribano channeled their Mediterranean roots to found their brand Hereu.
R14S2 in Black Cotton
With washing and wear, this jacket will soften and irregularities will show, which makes the jacket develop character over time. It was woven with 100% cotton chambray with paraffin wax coating, made for Man-tle in Shizuoka, Japan. Man-tle is an Australian group of products focused on durability, reliability and practicality; taking inspiration from the landscape and environment of the country.
Sources: Walker, Alexander. “Brookes Boswell of Shop Boswell, Hat Maker.” Ettigre, 14 Apr. 2021, ettigre.co/blogs/journal/brookes-boswell-of-shop-boswell-and-brookes-boswell-hats. Shop Boswell. “DRESSES, SKIRTS & JUMPSUITS.” Complex, shopboswell.us/collections/dresses. “About.” Man-tle, http://man-tle.com.“About HEREU.” Hereu, hereustudio.com/pages/about-hereu. 