Why it belongs in ORBIS
Hatmaker since 1773; Prince Albert wore a Christys' top hat in the 19th century, and Marlon Brando wore a Christys' Homburg as Vito Corleone in The Godfather.
Christys' has made hats in England since 1773, giving it a claim to being among the oldest continuously operating hat houses in the country. Its early reputation was built on top hats and bowlers; Prince Albert wore a Christys' top hat in the 19th century, helping establish the house among Britain's traditional gentleman's outfitters of the period.
Its most cited modern cultural moment is cinematic rather than royal: a Homburg hat from Christys' was worn by Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather, a piece of costuming the brand itself now leans on in its own marketing. Winston Churchill is also cited among its historic wearers.
The house continues to produce its hats — including panamas, fedoras, trilbies and flat caps alongside its original top hats and bowlers — using traditional felt- and straw-blocking techniques, manufactured in England rather than outsourced, which is the throughline connecting its 18th-century founding to its current product range.