Optimo Hat Factory Tour: A hands-on addition to the Chicago Super Trunk Show weekend

The space reads like a hybrid of old-world workshop and modern design studio. The machinery and tools are in active use, so visitors can observe authentic processes rather than staged exhibits. The tour is presented by Optimo's founder Graham Thompson and is intended for people who appreciate the technical and human aspects of making — the specialized tools, single-purpose machines, and craft skills that rarely appear outside production environments.

Pass is priced at $225 before booking fees and tax. Beyond the tour itself, the pass bundles several weekend perks:

• Saphir Médaille d'Or Shoe Shine Masterclass hosted by Preston Soto (The Elegant Oxford).
• Cocktail reception hosted by Kirby Allison.
• Early access to Stitchdown Expo x The Super Trunk Show, including a 9am entry on Saturday two hours before general admission.

• Priority registration benefits for the weekend.

How this fits the Super Trunk Show weekend

Optimo has been a popular exhibitor at previous Super Trunk Shows, including New York events. The organizer's goal is to extend the event beyond displays of products to include maker-focused experiences. The Optimo afternoon aims to replicate what many participants already value at the Super Trunk Show: meeting craftspeople, seeing production up close, and spending time with other enthusiasts in a hands-on environment.

Buy the pass if you want an active, behind-the-scenes view of American hatmaking, practical shoe-care instruction, and VIP-level access to Stitchdown Expo x The Super Trunk Show events. The combination of a working factory tour, a Saphir masterclass, and a social reception targets people who value craftsmanship and the networks that form around traditional menswear trades.

• Date and time: Thursday, November 5, 1–6pm.
• Location: Optimo's factory in a restored Chicago firehouse (Optimo's Chicago base).
• Pass price: $225 before booking fees and tax.
• Pass benefits: tour, shoe-shine masterclass, cocktail reception, early Saturday access, VIP wrap party, priority registration.

If you plan to attend Stitchdown Expo x The Super Trunk Show and prefer a curated, maker-led experience, the Optimo Hat Factory Tour offers a concentrated, practical set of sessions that extend across Thursday and the weekend.