Our Story
Using 150-year-old secrets and tools, Vagabond offers a product of unmatched quality and style. It's not just about chasing a vintage look; it's about embracing the timeless feel of well-made, enduring pieces that tell a story.
Cal Knapp and Dalton Rhode are well-steeped in the world where fashion and music collide. Where legends are made and the status quo ignored. Like most successful entrepreneurs, they saw an underserved audience and decided to go full steam ahead to apply a remedy. Soon, Vagabond Hats was born.
Vagabond doesn't just make hats; we create wearables infused with rebellious vibes and purposeful artistry. Our customers feel the Rock-n-Roll rhythm in the stitches, the spirit of Wander woven into each brim, and the adventurous soul of young America in every fold.
Meet Vagabond
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Dalton Rhode
Dalton is the co-owner of Vagabond Hats and a creative force. He wears multiple hats as hat designer and maker, stylist, and interior designer. He hails from the fiery sunsets of South Texas, and his journey defines him as a driven entrepreneur with a rebellious nature. He's a dedicated family man with a rock 'n' roll soul.
Dalton showed early signs of yearning for more when he skipped school most days to skate and dream of far away lands at South Padre Island. After moving with his high school sweetheart to Dallas, Dalton conquered the world of wardrobe styling for John Varvatos and Yves Saint Laurent, where he fused rebellion and refinement seamlessly.
Dalton's journey unraveled a passion that echoed far beyond the valley. His diverse pursuits include ceramics, antiques, his unapologetic love for Southern rock, the Wild West, and eccentric souls. Dalton infuses rebellious refinement into every stitch. His untamed passion shapes Vagabond Hats, which is an authentic and diverse reflection of the man himself. -
Cal Knapp
Cal, Co-Founder of Vagabond Hats, is a creative with a diverse background in painting, graphic design, music, and global exploration. He has traveled extensively and collected exotic materials from all over the world. Eight years ago, in an effort to put all of his insane global finds to use, Cal began making hats in his apartment with 150-year-old tools. Through trial and error, lots of sleepless nights, and using rare turn-of-the-century books as a guide, he became a legitimate hat maker.
Cal draws inspiration from pirates, weathered textures, rock-n-roll, blues, travel, foreign cultures, history, and artisan traditions. These influences are reflected in all he creates. Apart from hat making, Cal's hobbies include record collecting, restoring vintage electronics, oil painting, and the pursuit of treasures, which range from oddities and old guitars to bones and antique audio electronics.
Cal is a true artisan with a passion for authenticity and gritty elegance, and this is reflected in all Vagabond Hats.
Our Creations
