Since the 19th Century, the Panama has been a symbol of elegance. Now it has finally been given its own book. From Roosevelt to Churchill, Napoleon to the Duke of Windsor, the Panama hat has been donned by some of the world s most distinguished people. In the process, the myth of the Panama was created. Taking us beyond the myth, this volume offers for the first time an examination of the hat s remarkable history, production process, and variety of shapes, evoking all the while the grace of living of its country of origin: Ecuador. Panama seeks to pay a fitting tribute to the aristocrat of straw hats.