When he was young, Jamel Workman looked up to his grandfather for his sense of style, and to his cousin who he wanted to be just like. His grandfather wore hats, and his cousin was a barber, and those two influences likely helped guide his destiny - Jamel has been a master barber for 20 years, and a custom hatmaker for the last 12. His shop in West Philly houses the Workman Gentleman's Shoppe in the front, and his hatmaking business in the back - J Workman Millinery. He learned hatmaking by studying for years with some of the most well-known factories and artisans in the country. He designs every style of hat, including top hats, each one custom made to order. He focuses on methods and techniques that have been used for hundreds of years, and wants to bring back the elegance of foregone eras. His talents have been recognized in the industry, including being chosen as a participant in Philadelphia's Fashion Incubator, and as the first male 'feature designer' in New York's Great American Hat Show.
Workman Gentleman's Shoppe
5415 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
610-605-1345
hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 7am-7pm
J Workman Millinery | @jworkmanmillinery | @numb1contender
by appointment only