While considering myself to be a Northern California native, I grew up in an Air Force family constantly moving across the country and overseas. Always the new kid and rarely looking like my peers, it became clear early on that fitting in wasn’t an option for me. 

 

For a while, I resented that. Then I became inspired by it. I moved into a place of loving the things that made me different rather than hiding from them and that shifted everything. My walk, my smile, my confidence, my hair, my friendships, but especially my style. Every day was an opportunity to create and play without questioning if I blended in. Every outfit was an opportunity to tell the story of who I was. Eventually that passion collided with my love for artisan fashion and Taj was created.

 

For me, Taj is about celebrating the authentically unique parts of us. It’s about standing out in a room because of the confidence and steadiness that comes with accepting that fitting in isn’t an option, or the goal. By coupling the time-honored craft of traditional hat making with distinctive style, Taj transcends trends to deliver pieces that are both unexpected and timeless so that when you wear one of our hats, you can confidently tell the story of who you are.