Our Story

From coffee to concept. How it all began.

This concept started over coffee in 2001 during my mother’s chemo treatments. In 2007, the first scrub caps were given to cancer patients. These were made from pyjama fabric to create a soft head covering for highly sensitive skin. Now 20 years later, the product line encompasses a variety of hat styles as well as accessories, gifts, home décor, and The Eco Line. 

Everything is handmade with love using a blend of colour, pattern and texture to create unique items that stand out. Whether you are looking for funky, classic, or "where did you get that!" there is something for you.

Giving back to the community and our planet

Supporting entrepreneurs is important to Hats for Life Designs. Local fibre products and Canadian materials are used whenever possible. A portion of sales from in person events are donated to local charity and hats or shawls are provided to cancer patients free of charge. The Eco Line launched in 2015 to provide an alternative option and offer something beneficial to the environment. The collection features products made from plant based fiber, upcycled materials, or their purpose is to reduce waste. The line includes shawls, scarves, and reusable market bags in cotton, tencel, or cotton-linen blend as well as tote bags lined with upcycled tee shirts.

The environment is a large consideration in reducing the waste for Hats for Life Designs products. Hang tags are hung with jute (compostable); tags themselves are printed with soy based ink on recycled paper (recyclable); office paper used is recycled paper fiber (recyclable); padded mailers for shipping are made from 100% recycled paper fiber inside and out and can be recycled with other paper products at the curb. Use of reusable bags at in person events is strongly encouraged as we do not provide shopping bags.  

The mission of high quality products remains unchanged as we transition to more sustainable and planet friendly fibres. 

Charitable causes

Hats for Life Designs has been donating to various local charities from the beginning. The first designs were given away and following that a portion of sales from every in person event continues to be donated to a different local charity on a rotational basis. Charities supported: Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Help Santa Toy Parade, Ottawa Dragonboat Foundation, Ottawa Foodbank, Ottawa Humane Society, Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, Operation Smile, Ovarian Cancer Canada, Ronald McDonald House Ottawa, Tree Canada, Wild Bird Care Centre.

Art

In 2024, original watercolour art was made available to the public for purchase for the first time. Nature is the focus of this collection with many landscape, sunsets, space, water, air, as well as wildlife and botanicals. The watercolour is non toxic- plastic free- Canadian product from Manitoulin Island. Paper is cotton. Mats are archival quality and the protective sleeves are not plastic but a plant based product, both from a Canadian company. Frames include recycled material as do the backing boards for the mat only works, both Canadian companies. 

These pieces will not be available online and only available at in person events. 

The creative juices are always flowing. Follow on Instagram @hats.for.life.designs for more behind the scenes of works in progress.