iLeap of faithi people are a force onto themselves. They are passion-driven to the core. Whatever tasks they are doing, you can be sure that they are doing them full tilt and to the max. Sometimes their loved ones think theyire a little off their rockers! But itis part of their charm. This series focuses on those brave and hearty individuals; those who know no boundaries when deciding to go on a life mission. BROnline salutes them in this fascinating series.
Gary Whiteis leap of faith began many years ago, way before he had any idea that this was indeed taking place. It was the e70is and the Buffalo native was no different from other young men in his neighborhood; he was taking a serious interest in the young ladies. Part of the deal was your threads; what you wore, he discovered, was very important.
Being a stylish kinda guy, Gary got a job at one of Buffalois most premier menswear emporiums, Peller & Mure.
He worked as a stock boy and therefore, was exposed to every department. The job was thrilling! He learned the difference between tweed & twill, Oxford & chambray. An entire new world was opening to him; the intricate world of menswear! He could hardly believe his good fortune!
Over the years, Gary worked at Peller & Mure in many different capacities. Eventually he found himself selling menis hats. Hats were very cool then and a well dressed man would have a few favorites that he would often wear. Gary loved working with hats and with his customers, helping them into the correct hat for them. He learned about different fur felts and how hats were made. He became expert at sizing and learned the distinctions of a fedora vs. a homburg. Eventually, Gary became Peller & Mureis hat buyer. This exposed him to an even greater world. He was able to meet the sales reps who, many times, were from a custom hat background. He traveled to NYC and shopped the wholesale showrooms of the greats; Stetson, Dobbs, etc. At every opportunity, he visited custom hatters around the world.
Gary became a man obsessed!
One day an opportunity presented itself that was to further change his already very groovy life. A while back, he had met Henry Goldstein, an elderly master hatter from the Boston area who had this amazing business, creating custom hats for men. The two found that hats were a great bond and a deep friendship evolved. Gary began visiting him more frequently, obsessed with his wonderful friendsi knowledge of this great vanishing craft. He decided to learn the art of hat making himself and for the next 10 1/2 years, spent almost every weekend working with his mentor.
Mr. Goldstein was very impressed with his willing and able student, and taught him the intricacies of this old world craft. Gary learned about the different properties of the various fur felts and how each responded to heat or moisture or cleaning. He learned how to correctly measure and ascertain the shape of a personsi head and became familiar with the exotic tools of the trade. His knowledge was going far beyond a person who merely sold hats; Gary was now MAKING hats. Handsome, custom hats!
His ileap of faithi moment happened quite suddenly, as they often do. An elderly Mr.Goldstein found himself in bad health and had decided, after many years in the business he loved, to hang up the hat blocks. He was so happy that he had been able to pass along his craft to such an able student, and that his beloved craft of custom hat making would be carried on to the next generation by Gary.
Touched, Gary sadly but gladly bought his mentors equipment and moved the operation to his current location here in Buffalo, where he has made the most beautiful custom hats for the past 26 years.
Garyis customer list is as long as it is impressive. He lists many of the worlds most well dressed and wealthy men as his clients. Garyis work in entertainment includes film and more Broadway shows than he can remember. Musicians LOVE his hats and usually never own just one. Not to tell tales out of school, but Gary was honored to make the last three hats owned by a certain iblue eyedi male vocalist who no longer walks amongst us! I found that Garyis men customers buy his hats like women buy shoes. This is NOT a decision that one makes lightly!
Theyire not inexpensive; but for those who really appreciate the finer things in life, a Gary White hat is an investment in oneself. Youire worth it! A good hat never dies. Thatis the beauty of them; you may someday be gone, but your hats will remain for your grandsons to fight over. So you better buy a few!
Just a thought.
The Custom Hatter
Gary White
1318 Broadway
Buffalo NY 13212
716.896.3722