Risco battles monotony and broadens horizons.
It also defies conventions and embraces the unknown.

explorERS of formS,
TEXTURES and HUES

Maleza is an artisanal workshop that explores shapes, textures and colors. In our atelier in Madrid (by appointment) full of century-old tools we create limited editions, bespoke, and one-of-a-kind hats. We are known for the use of upcycled felt and dead stock to create part of our collections.

Behind Maleza is Myrte Sara Huyts and Javier Reta Gallego. Coming from different countries - The Netherlands and Spain- and different fields - Literature and Fine Arts – we found each other in our love for old tools, linen bedding and kids’ drawings. Already quite soon after we met we decided to change careers and become hatmakers. Together we built our workshop: a place where we experiment and work unhurried, where we design and tell stories.

Each hat is hand-formed by us from start to finish - using traditional and experimental techniques - and therefore every Maleza piece bears our fingerprints. We apply sculptural methods and employ botanical dyes to transform natural felt and vegetable fibers—the primary components of our creations. Through our craft, we seek to escort hats in a playful manner into the 21st century, trying to create traditions of the future.

HATs are empty vessels until we fill them with your thoughts

Which story do you want to tell with your hat? Contact us here for your custom hat.

Want to give (part of) a bespoke MALEZA hat to someone you love? We designed a hand stamped gift box with some secrets inside

conscious craftmanship

We are very conscious of the objectives for sustainable development throughout the entire production cycle. This means that in addition to closely examining the quality of the materials we use, we also consider their traceability - addressing the where, who, and how - to ensure that economically, socially, and ecologically, we are becoming more respectful and responsible every day.

For example, we choose merino d'Arlés wool felt from a small cooperative in the Pyrenees, purchase fabrics with OEKO-TEX certifications, or obtain batches of abandoned hemp, vintage felts, or fabrics from second-hand sources. All of our production is treated with natural gums made in the workshop, and a significant portion of our hats are dyed here with plant-based dyes. Wherever we can, we buy from local businesses.

Our sweatbands are always made from vegetable-tanned leather from a century-old tannery in northern Spain. Another interesting point to highlight is that the wooden hat blocks used to shape all our pieces are designed by us and then crafted by a skilled artisan woodworker from Seville.

Join us and be the first to receive updates ABOUT our hat workshops, promotions, and sneak peaks of upcoming hats