In 1922, George S. Bailey founded the Bailey Hat Company in Los Angeles, California. Bailey saw the emerging need for a hat company that not only catered to the West Coast market, but one that also catered to the Western wear market. He was an authentic American hat man. He was an original participant in understanding Hollywood's leading men as global arbiters of taste and style and dedicated his life to providing them with fine quality hats and great luxurious styling.
The American West was booming, and Los Angeles was leading the charge. A population explosion was underway and, due to the proliferation of cattle ranches, farms, orchards, mines, oil fields and (of course) movies, Southern California's economy was growing at a breakneck pace. Los Angeles-based film studios accounted for nearly one-fifth of California's annual manufacturing business in the early 20's, and it was there than George Bailey would start his business. He catered directly to the needs of the "New West" by outfitting southern California ranchers, businessmen, oil tycoons and the newest segment of the population -movie stars with the "best hat possible". His dedication and diligence to his craft quickly made the Bailey name known throughout Los Angeles. It wasn't long before he was fashioning chapeaus for all the major studios and A-List celebrities such as Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Bing Crosby and Gary Cooper, thus cementing his reputation as Hollywood's premiere milliner.
Many of Bailey Hat Company's current offerings still use the same blocks as they did when originally designed for the Hollywood elite. For over 90 years, the Bailey Hat Company has earned an exceptional reputation by continually providing its customers with unparalleled quality and craftsmanship, as well as sophisticated industry-leading designs. The Bailey Hat Company divides into two divisions today: the Bailey of Hollywood line is well-known for their modern interpretation on classic men's hat tailoring, and Bailey Western is a collection of original and authentic Western headwear with an eye for industry leading product