Slow Fashion: Danna Haydar Of Pyper Malone On Why They Are Embracing Slow Fashion and Renewable Consumption
Timelessness & Investment Value: investing in pieces that are designed and manufactured to last for decades and to serve as multi-generational heirloom gems is at the core of the slow fashion ethos. Unlike fast fashion trends, slow luxury fashion creates timeless designs that hold or increase in value over time. Investing in slow fashion means acquiring pieces that remain stylish and durable, embodying true sophistication and exclusivity.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Danna Pyper Haydar is a former corporate attorney turned entrepreneur, now the founder of two restaurants and the newly launched luxury hat brand, Pyper Malone. A former NCAA Division 1 college softball player, Danna, brings that same competitive spirit and dedication to crafting timeless, versatile hats designed to be as relevant decades from now as they are today. She currently lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband and their three children.
Thank you for joining us! To start, can you share a bit about your early background and how it influenced your journey into slow fashion?
I was born in and grew up just outside Toronto (Canada), moving to the U.S for college to play softball. I had made the declaration at the age of 5 that I was going to be an attorney, so when the time came, I elected to stay in the U.S to attend The University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. I completed 2 of the 3 years there and then took advantage of a program that allowed me to complete my final year as a visiting student at another school: I knew that I wanted to be in the sports and entertainment field, so I elected to go to Los Angeles. I moved to Tampa, FL in 2010 when I accepted a position as Associate General Counsel with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. I served in that role as in-house counsel for 7 years, leaving in early 2017 to open-up my first business, a restaurant in Tampa named ‘The C House’ [everything that we sell starts with the letter ‘c’; focus is on champagne, charcuterie, and cheesecake]. In 2021, I opened my second restaurant concept, The Battery’ [located downtown Tampa, the restaurant highlights a menu of premier steaks and seafood and high-end pours of bourbon]. The launch of Pyper Malone was in the works for nearly 10 years before we finally hit the market in late January 2025.
What inspired you to pursue a career in slow fashion, and can you share the story behind your decision?
The original plan for Pyper Malone was to work through a manufacturer that was based in LA, but, ultimately, manufactured in China. When I was finally ready to hit the gas pedal on pushing towards a brand launch (early 2023), I knew that I had to do a hard pivot on the manufacturing plan. I felt strongly in my gut that I had to manufacture in either the US or in Canada, as I wanted to better control all aspects of the manufacturing process, and, additionally, wanted to be no more than a hop, skip, and a jump from my manufacturing partner’s facilities. So, with that, I started over with the search for a manufacturing partner that was in North America. I’m grateful to have landed on an American company that has been manufacturing hats since the late 1800s and who has a deep-rooted focus on manufacturing with integrity. Many of the milliners that are hand-crafting our hats are second and third generation employees at the factory. There are no shortcuts, and they care deeply about ensuring that the final product is one to be proud of.
As far as Pyper Malone and our preparation to launch, we prioritized quality over speed, sustainability and longevity over ease-of-launch, and timeless design and unwavering American craftsmanship above all else. We are laser-focused on our foundational vision and mission: to create a collection of luxurious, versatile, and timeless hats that are as well-suited for wear today as they will be in decades to come.
To me, slow fashion is synonymous with sustainability, ethical production, timelessness, and a focus on reducing waste (without sacrificing style and high fashion). At Pyper Malone, these tenants are deeply embedded into our corporate ethos. Further, we are committed to creating a personal connection with our customers such that donning a Pyper Malone hat evokes a sense of pride.
Who is your fashion hero or heroine, and why do they inspire you?
I’m not sure that I have a fashion hero or heroine, but my grandfather, Leo ‘Sparky’ Maloney (the source of ‘Malone’ in our name), is most definitely my hero. He was as top-level of a human as there can be, and I am eternally grateful for his love and his influence. He showed me unconditional love, and he fostered and encouraged my entrepreneurial zest — he was truly the coolest dude around!
What’s the most intriguing or memorable experience you’ve had since starting your career in slow fashion?
Given our launch just a couple of months ago (January 2025), I haven’t had anything happen that ‘fits the bill’ for this (yet)… stay tuned!
As a successful leader in the industry, which three-character traits have been key to your success? Can you provide a story or example for each?
I am intently focused on the following 3-character traits:
1. Integrity: from the materials that we source, to the people that we employ, to the final product that we present to the marketplace, I am deeply committed to ‘doing things the right way’. And, on a personal level, integrity is a characteristic that, above all else, leads to my decision-making. A strong moral compass is, to me, the foundation for all that follows.
2. Authenticity: this one, by sheer definition of the words, speaks for itself, I believe. Pyper Malone as a brand (and me in my individual capacity) am intently focused on exuding authenticity in all that we do. I want it to seep from my pores (and, from the brim of every hat that we make).
3. Resiliency: I am acutely aware that the path of life is rarely ever easy, and this is especially accurate when it comes to launching a new brand. There are a lot of hurdles and a lot of obstacles, but (some that I’ve already encountered and many more, I know, that are sure to follow), but my keeping ‘my eye on the prize’ [creating and curating a brand that is synonymous.
How does your company embody and implement the principles of slow fashion, and what motivated you to adopt this approach?
At Pyper Malone, we take an immense level of pride in knowing that each and every component of each and every one of our hats is presented with a steadfast commitment to best-in-class quality. We are proud to be hand-crafted in the United States of America with premium materials sourced from top-tier partners. Our virgin wool is hand-scoured in Texas, our premium straw is hand-woven by artisans in Ecuador, our signature Pyper Malone emerald green hat liner is manufactured in Texas, our custom P|M hardware and our premium bands are sourced from a third-generation manufacturer in New York, and our East Coast-based millinery partner has over 150 years of experience as industry leaders hand-crafting wool and straw hats. We have a genuine and bona-fide ethos that doing things the right way is not always the easiest path, but it is certainly the most rewarding (and responsible) path — that path will forever be our chosen path.
What measures does your company take to ensure the sustainability and ethical integrity of your supply chain and production processes?
We work with partners that share the same values as we do. It’s not any more complicated than that.
Can you tell us about the materials you use in your products and how you ensure they are sourced sustainably?
At Pyper Malone, integrity in manufacturing and sustainability with our manufacturing processes are core tenants of our business. We believe in creating timeless pieces that not only stand the test of style but also uphold a commitment to environmental responsibility. Each step of our production process is designed to honor the planet and its resources, ensuring that every hat is made with respect for both craftsmanship and sustainability.
Our virgin wool, hand-scoured in Texas, is sourced from ethical, sustainable farming practices. This wool is carefully cleaned and processed with minimal environmental impact, ensuring that we preserve the natural beauty and softness of the fibers while reducing waste. By working with local producers, we support the Texan agricultural community and help reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting materials over long distances.
The premium straw woven by artisans in Ecuador is harvested through eco-conscious methods, ensuring that the natural resources are replenished, and the local ecosystem is protected. The hand-weaving process is rooted in traditional techniques that are not only sustainable but also support fair labor practices within the artisan community. By maintaining these practices, we help preserve the rich cultural heritage of Ecuador while fostering long-term economic sustainability for local artisans.
At Pyper Malone, we are committed to not only creating beautiful, high-quality hats, but also to preserving the planet for future generations. By choosing sustainable materials, supporting local artisans, and minimizing waste, we strive to make a positive impact on the world with each hat we create. Each piece is a testament to our belief that fashion can be both luxurious and responsible, and we are proud to offer products that reflect this vision.
Could you share some examples of how your company’s practices have benefited local communities or the environment?
Given our very recent launch (end of January of this year), we don’t yet have an established community footprint or a measurable metric regarding our positive impact on the environment and sustainable practices — both initiatives that we very much look forward to. But, Pyper Malone has committed to donating $4 from the sale of each hat to a group of wonderful charitable organizations: (1) End the Backlog; (2) Childhood Drowning Education & Prevention (recipient organization has yet to be finalized); (3) Innocence Project; and (4) Kristy’s Lightning in a Bottle. The Pyper Malone Social Good Fund believes that little by little, a little becomes a lot.
What initiatives are you undertaking to educate consumers about the significance of slow fashion and sustainable consumption?
We’ve yet to focus a lot of resources on this educational piece (again, our very recent launch has us juggling a lot of balls), but we plan to get some behind-the-scenes footage of our partners involved in the various stages of our manufacturing (from hand-scouring virgin wool in Texas to suede bands being hand-cut at a factory in New York) and feature in some ‘personal touch’ videos on our site and our social media platforms. We are also working to develop some marketing/educational collateral to include with each hat shipment to educate our customer base about what goes into responsible manufacturing and why we are committed to being at the forefront of the category.
What are three essential things everyone should understand about slow fashion?
- Timelessness & Investment Value: investing in pieces that are designed and manufactured to last for decades and to serve as multi-generational heirloom gems is at the core of the slow fashion ethos. Unlike fast fashion trends, slow luxury fashion creates timeless designs that hold or increase in value over time. Investing in slow fashion means acquiring pieces that remain stylish and durable, embodying true sophistication and exclusivity.
- Quality matters — anyone can jump onto a fleeting trend or make a cheap t-shirt, but quality over quantity is where we at Pyper Malone choose to live.
- Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing — True luxury is rooted in responsible sourcing and ethical production. Slow fashion brands emphasize sustainability by using eco-friendly materials, fair labor practices, and limited production runs to reduce waste while maintaining exclusivity.
Thank you for all that insight. Now, let’s dive into the core of our interview: What are the “5 Key Elements to Leading a Successful Slow Fashion Brand”? Please provide a story or example for each.
I would use this opportunity to reiterate our deep-rooted commitment to ‘doing things the right way’. Manufacturing in the United States and sourcing materials that are responsibly secured matters. It matters a lot, and it will always matter to us at Pyper Malone.
Do you have a favorite quote that has influenced your life? Can you share a story that illustrates its relevance to you?
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase to take the first step.” Wise, wise words from the wonderful and indescribably brave Martin Luther King, Jr. I deeply align with the concept that while the staircase (launching a brand) may seem too steep to climb, if we can just get ourselves to take the first step, we may be surprised emphasizes the importance of taking action even when the entire path ahead is unclear.
With your considerable influence, if you could start a movement to make a significant positive impact, what would it be?
No daily outfit is complete without a well-made hat (a Pyper Malone, of course!). In all seriousness, I do very much adhere to the mantra that a well-crafted hat elevates any and all outfits — whether running to the grocery store to stock the fridge, walking into a pivotal boardroom meeting, lounging with family and friends by the pool at a beach resort, or taking a hike through the hills of this beautiful nation — hats just make it all come together.
How can our readers stay updated with your work online?
Check us out at https://pypermalone.com/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Slow Fashion: Danna Haydar Of Pyper Malone On Why They Are Embracing Slow Fashion and Renewable… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.