This is the kind of hat that makes wide-brim-loving Tibetans say, “Who would even wear this?”
But when our workshop manager, Yixi, took it to a craft fair event in Shanghai, he was surprised to see how good it looked on people. Laid flat on the table, the cap seemed pretty ordinary—maybe even a little unimpressive—but somehow, it looked great on almost everyone who tried it.
He must’ve been convinced, because this summer, the hat he wore most often... was this very persimmon-dyed newsboy cap.
Made from richly textured, naturally dyed persimmon cotton, each cap has its own unique pattern and wrinkles—unruly, expressive, full of life and earthy warmth. It’s also lightweight and comfortable.
The everyday ease of a newsboy cap, combined with the laid-back feel of persimmon-dyed fabric, makes this cap comfortable, grounded, and easy to wear—something that helps you feel a little more relaxed, a little more like yourself.
Design Detail
On the underside of the brim, we embroidered Mount Murdo. The idea is simple: when you lift your gaze while wearing this hat, you’ll see the outline of a mountain—bringing back memories of the Tibetan landscape, anytime, anywhere.
Mount Murdo begins in Zhegu Mountain of Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, and stretches for hundreds of kilometers. It rises sharply at the confluence of the Great and Small Jin Rivers, with its main peak reaching over 5,000 meters. It is one of the eight sacred mountains in the Tibetan region and considered the spiritual center of the Gyarong Tibetans.
Legend has it that the ridgelines of Mount Murdo take on extraordinary forms when seen from different angles—like a Buddha seated on a lion, a treasure vase floating midair, a conch shell, or even a silhouette of Mount Sumeru, the sacred center of the universe. Some say that within Mount Murdo’s landscape, one can glimpse miniature reflections of all eight sacred mountains of Tibet—as if the entire sacred geography had been echoed in its contours.
Because of this spiritual richness, Mount Murdo holds a revered place in Tibetan belief, and the mythology surrounding it is equally fascinating.
Persimmon-Dyed Fabric
Persimmon dye is made using the skins of unripe persimmons, which are rich in tannins—the very compound that makes unripe fruit so astringent. The juice is extracted and fermented to produce the dye, making it a form of plant-based dye.
Most plant-based dyes tend to fade over time, especially with exposure to sunlight (though that gentle fading is also part of what makes them so quietly beautiful and naturally understated). Persimmon dye, however, behaves quite differently: the more it’s exposed to sunlight, the deeper and richer the color becomes.
The natural pectin in the persimmon skins also gives the fabric a firm, stiff feel at first. Over time, the resulting creases, friction, and wear patterns bring out a distinctive texture and a natural evolution of color that feels both earthy and alive.
Shopping Notes
。As with all natural dyes, the color, tone, and surface creasing may vary from piece to piece. We appreciate your understanding.
。Persimmon-dyed fabric may feel stiff and have a noticeable scent at first, but it will soften over time with use and washing, and the scent will quickly fade.
Care Instructions
。Use a neutral detergent—avoid products with bleach or optical brighteners.
。As the fabric may release some dye in the beginning, we recommend hand-washing the first few times. Once the color stabilizes, you can use a laundry bag and machine wash with other garments.
。If ironing is needed, please use a low heat setting.
