Núria Arnau, from Sombrerias MIL: “We have survived by always being up to date with fashion”

In 1812, a family with the surname Antonés, “who said they came from Italy,” began making hats in a fourth floor in the Raval. Shortly after, in 1856, they would move to 83 Hospital Street, where they would open as a store, and Jaime and Tomàs would take over, becoming the second generation of hatters. In 1915 and with the Eixample under construction, they decided to relocate to Fontanella street. Tomàs Antonés Torroja “took the reins of this new store”, and his son, Tomàs Antonés Antonés, would be the one who would end up ensuring the survival of a business that has been alive for more than 170 years, although now it is Núria Arnau who opens its doors. Antonés Antonés was a close friend of his grandfather, who died when Arnau’s father was only nine years old. He adopted him, and from that moment on he lived in the workshop and store where he learned the trade. Continue reading