Textile Engineer needed for finding fabric for hat brand

We are a new swiss brand specialized in female Winter hats. Google hats to see how they look.
They are composed of two parts: a crown and a brim and are usually made of wool or mixed with other animal furs.
Our hat concept presents two characteristics that we cannot achieve with normal /typical wool used to make current hats.

I will share two fast videos that show how milliners get the Fedora shape with fabrics such as wool. They are short and summarize the current and traditional way of making these hats.

However, this method does not allow the hat to be foldable and reversible because the fabric is pretty rigid.
1st video: how hat is made from scratch, shows importance of steaming for opening fibres and shaping


2nd video: how to shape Fedora, gives an idea of the shape we want to arrive at: symmetrical central crease, and two pinches in the front.

We are looking for a fabric expert or consultant to help us find a fabric capable of achieving the two characteristics below.
Priority will be given to foldability but if you can find a fabric or fabrics that can do both, then the compensation will be better. On top of the characteristics description below, please watch a clarifying the video where I show a prototype and what we want to achieve
1) Foldable.
We have conducted a micro survey of 100 women and 79% have described that foldability is the most interesting feature they would like to have in a hat.
Even though they are very fashionable, Fedora hats are not convenient to pack when travelling as you must squash them to fit in your luggage. This deteriorates the shape of the hat. The fabric and design are not very flexible and do not allow folding.
Also, many women say that it is very difficult to temporarily dispose of them once they no longer need them (e.g. inside a restaurant, any interior space).
Goal: Reduce space of hat. Be able to fold hat and put in a small bag once women no longer need it. Be able to quickly unfold hat without having the shape of hat damaged.

Hat they can fold in half or in quarter and put it in their luggage or little bag. Once unfolded hat should be able to come back to its normal Fedora shape without leaving marks and deforming the shape.
More one clarification on the video below. Video of myself with a Fedora hat prototype that shows the limitations a wool fabric presents.
2) Reversible:Customer can push the crown down in order to switch colors. Need fabric to be flexible or elastic enough while simultaneously keeping the shape of Fedora hat

Fabrics feel and appearance requirements:
Our goal is to make our products visual appearance and touch remain the same as a wool winter hat while providing additional values such as foldability and reversibility. Therefore fabric
- Needs to have the same soft and smooth touch as wool.
- Needs to be warm, preferably waterproof.
- Must be aesthetically pleasing and of high luxurious quality.
- should not look like an industrial, rough textile with harsh appearance.
- Fabric needs to be easy to handle by hat manufacturers
Market we are targeting
- Active women
- Style conscious women who wear a hat to upgrade their outfit, therefore first perception, interaction with hat through fabric by touching and seeing is crucial.

Timeline: we wish to come up with a final prototype to present to manufacturers latest

Profile of Potential consultant:
- Must be creative and not have a fixed mindset
- Must enjoy challenges and be curious
- Must be easily reachable and very responsive
- Preferably knows about millinery or has contacts with milliners or hat manufacturers to be able to experiment fabrics
Compensation:
To be discussed.
Pay per hour or possibly a lump sum if satisfied with fabric + royalty on any hat we sell for an agreed timeframe. This can be a good way for you to generate passive income well after the end of your work. The skys the limit!
About the recuiter
Member since Mar 14, 2020
Sindiaanya Raja
from Agat, Guam

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