The historic Italian hat brand founded by Giuseppe Borsalino in 1857 is bankrupt due to a debt of 20 million euros.
Recognized worldwide, Borsalino is a hat brand beloved and admired by countless fans and loyal consumers. A true legend for those of us who have seen a mass-market product transformed into a valuable and prized jewel, placed on a pedestal and almost turned into a cult object. Borsalino's fame on the big screen is well known; no one can imagine Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo in "Borsalino" (1970) without their imposing Borsalinos, nor Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the famous film "Casablanca" (1942) wearing those elegant hats. Robert Redford even went to look for the one Marcello Mastroianni wore in "8½." These movie hats are in legendary scenes that no one will ever forget.
A hat brand marked by poor management
Poor management since it left the founding family has led the company to a critical situation that we don't know if it will be able to turn around. After its previous owner, Marco Marenco, was arrested in 2015, facing a debt of 3.5 billion euros, and after experiencing numerous scandals involving his predecessors due to other corruption cases, Borsalino is now facing a downturn.
Borsalino hats, perhaps the last we'll see on the shelves of Sombrerería Mil?
The company has assured that it will continue its operations as normal, at least for the next few months, and although the situation is very complicated, they will continue working to ensure their hats reach all stores. Believe it or not, the company has hired new employees due to increased investment, production, and revenue. For now, its brand image has emerged intact and the scandal has not affected it.
The hat world awaits the miracle
Will these be the last Borsalino hats we'll ever see? The company continues working at full speed with its 134 employees and a common goal: achieving a miracle. With hope in every breath, the employees and the city of Alessandria continue to have faith, fighting to preserve a unique icon in the world.
Get your Borsalino hat!
At Mil Hat Shop, we offer various Borsalino models, such as the Alessandria and the Marengo, two rabbit-fur felt hats with a leather sweatband and inner lining. Come visit us at our century-old store in the center of Barcelona, or order your Borsalino hat online!
