THE HATMAKER
Dustin Clark’s Tailored Life
Dustin Clark
is the self-taught master craftsman behind Clarks Designs. This West Texas native embraces his clients to stand taller by virtue of his custom designed works of art. Over the last decade of designing and hand crafting hats from scratch, his stellar attention to detail and passion for empowering people to radiate beauty and confidence is evident the minute one touches his work.
Who Am I
When I was 5 years old,
I took my training wheels off of my bike and have been deconstructing and reengineering ever since. I tinkered and helped family and friends with fixing and building during my childhood. The beauty of figuring out how things worked and improving design in a visually pleasing manner has been my life’s mission.
Fast forward to high school, also while obsessed with playing sports, I continued my mission in wood-shop and really fell in love with taking a raw piece of wood and turning it into something beautiful. I received an honors award for the custom King sized walnut bed I designed and built. I knew from then on, I was made to create with my hands.
After high school, I also had interest in cars and went to college for body technician school. Visitors would come by to find the entire interior and exterior of my ‘95 short bed Chevy disassembled on the lawn and other fun customizations I enjoyed getting into. After graduation, I picked up what little I had (including the walnut bed) and moved from my small West Texas town to pursue my journey closer to the big city. I loved turning a smashed car into pristine condition, however after a few years, the desire dulled and knew it wasn’t enough…
I inched closer to the Big D and did what I had to while figuring it all out and went for a flexible option - bartending. This gave me the opportunity to dig deep and realized I wanted to get into fashion. I enrolled into the Art Institute of Dallas, yet was advised the sewing machine would be “my best friend” and quickly switched into interior design. It was safe, and was a natural in design, building and space. I wasn’t ready to answer my calling and coincidentally, funding fell through just after my first and only year in art school. Though initially devastated, I knew my heart wasn’t aligned…
I made it to Dallas proper in 2010. This pivotal point in time allowed me to step back and take note of the struggle I personally experienced to find a hat with a proper fit and style. I began playing with felts and fabrics in my 610 square foot apartment. Hat making was not taught, so I did what I do best - figure it out! So I went after it and here I am. I sure do love what I do. I truly care about making people happy and feeling more confident about themselves.
It has taken a very long time to figure it all out and to get where I am. Nothing was handed to me and my products only breathe through love, sweat and grit. I’ve been fortunate to have amazing supportive friends and a badass fiancé that have given me the strength to keep grinding. Although I never met my father, I feel his blessing from above and always striving to make him proud.
I want each of you to know that I love you and I’m here to make you an absolute stunning hat that makes you feel wonderful about yourself.
It truly is life changing when you have a hat that makes you feel like your best self. That is why I started this hat company! If you haven’t experienced lighting up a room with a confidence boosting hat, you’re in the right place. Stand Tall!