OUR HISTORY
A century of experience
Dorfman Milano was founded in 1921 with the concept that retailers would support a headwear business offering quality products backed by a commitment to strong service. Dorfman Pacific is successful because of its adherence to this philosophy. Today our mission statement is to provide unsurpassed service and strong brands with a long term commitment to our customers.
HEADWEAR INDUSTRY LEADER SINCE 1921
One hundred years ago, Jack Dorfman and Arthur Hyman started a company in Oakland, California that would eventually become one of the premier headwear companies in the United States, Dorfman Milano Co. Arthur Hyman sold hats and Jack Dorfman manufactured them. From those humble beginnings Dorfman Milano has grown to be the headwear industry leader.
Our company maintains the largest headwear inventory in the world in our state-of-the-art distribution facility. This inventory, combined with our commitment to new technology, enables us to process orders quickly while shipping faster and more accurately thus offering you one of the most efficient resources in the industry.
Our product development team travels the world to source new products and expand relationships with existing suppliers. We have ownership positions in manufacturing facilities in the US, Mexico and Asia, which ensure our customers the best quality/pricing ratio and the fastest production time frames.
OUR COMPANY
Dorfman Tips a Hat in Celebration of their Centennial
Dorfman Milano, founded in 1921, is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. The company began as Dorfman Hat & Cap Company in a 5,000 square foot facility in Oakland, California. How far they’ve come!
For 100 years, Dorfman has prided itself on being one of the largest full-line, in-stock headwear and handbag companies in the world. They have offices across the United States, and attendance at all major trade shows. The company was founded on the notion that retailers would benefit from a headwear business offering quality products, backed by a commitment to strong service. Dorfman Milano runs strong 100 years later, because of its adherence to the philosophy of delivering quality craftsmanship and exceptional service. They have continuously evolved to keep pace with their customers’ headwear needs, while diligently maintaining their dedication to customer relations, product integrity, and overall efficiencies.
MEET OUR TEAM
MELISSA MADDEN BROWN
JOHN CALLANAN
LISA DELUCA
DANIELA OROZCO
MEET OUR DESIGNER
BOB BROWN
I have enjoyed a rewarding career, that I sometimes think chose me. After I graduated from FIT in NYC with a B.A. in Textile and Apparel Design, I started as an assistant buyer for the men’s accessories department at B. Altman. That was where I was first introduced to the mens’ headwear industry. I was amazingly intrigued by headwear production. Three dimensional, beautiful headwear was formed out of what started out looking like fuzzy hoods. Strange straw baskets were made into works of art, of function and fashion.
When B. Altman was sold, I decided to open my own retail store, eventually expanding to four locations around NYC. Running my own business came with certain stresses, and when I started looking for a change, I jumped into a position as VP of Merchandise and Design at Pusser’s in the Caribbean. My attention once again turned to headwear, as many tourists arrived without a hat to protect them from the tropical sun, and went home with 2 new hats!
After a stint as head of Merchandising and Design at Hartmarx in Chicago, I finally dove into the headwear industry completely, and became head of Merchandising, Design, and Re‑branding at Dorfman. For 20 years, I have been passionate about reinventing the men’s headwear industry with Dorfman. We incorporate cutting edge technologies into our designs, keeping you protected, bug free, cool, or visible. We give old favorites a new elegance. At Dorfman, function and fashion work in tandem.