Making hats involves the use of elbow pads and elbow pads themselves.
In the heart of Hamburg, a city steeped in maritime history, the art of traditional north German captain’s cap making continues to survive, albeit in a more subdued manner. While museums and exhibitions showcase the city's naval heritage, the current status of this craft is not explicitly detailed in recent sources.
Lars Kuntzel, the last cap maker in Hamburg, works at Walther Eisenberg, a shop that has existed since 1892. Kuntzel is a man who embodies the spirit of the craft, never leaving his house without wearing a cap, usually a soft, clinging Fleetenkieker. His dedication to the trade is evident in his workshop, where five Pfaff sewing machines, three of which are over a century old, hum with the rhythm of his creations.
Kuntzel's caps are a testament to tradition and quality. The crown is made from dark blue or black marine striped fabric, a fulled and combed wool that repels wind and water. The caps also include fleece and lining fabric made of viscose, leather for the sweatband, a plastic edge lined with lace, and a small visor that protects the face. Each cap is a unique piece, with Kuntzel sewing his traditional company label by hand onto the finished headwear.
Kuntzel's shop houses hundreds of caps in 18 variations, including Elbsegler, Fleetenkieker, Elblotse, Prinz Heinrich, Kiel, Altona, Breslau, and Eckernförde. His clientele spans all classes and age groups, and he even accepts repair orders for the caps.
The demand for Kuntzel's caps saw a significant boost in 2017, when Karl Lagerfeld's maritime Chanel fashion show caused a boom in orders. Kuntzel's caps have also found their way to film productions and international markets like Asia and America.
Despite being the last cap maker in Hamburg, Kuntzel is not alone in his pursuit. Christiane Engelhardt, spokesperson for the Chamber of Crafts Hamburg, mentions that the trade of milliners is still taught, although the number of companies actually making caps remains unknown.
As Hamburg continues to celebrate its maritime culture, the traditional north German captain’s cap remains a cultural icon. While the extent of active production is not fully documented, it is clear that Lars Kuntzel's work keeps this traditional craft alive, one cap at a time. For precise, up-to-date information, direct inquiry with maritime museums or specialized tailors in Hamburg would be advisable.
Lars Kuntzel's workshop, dedicated to the traditional north German captain's cap making, offers a unique blend of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden, as his creations are a testament to the city's maritime lifestyle. Kuntzel's caps, with their high-quality materials like marine striped fabric, viscose, leather, lace, and plastic, have gained popularity in both local and international fashion-and-beauty markets, proving that the art of traditional cap making continues to thrive in Hamburg.
