Ugo Kennedy opens hat studio on Townsville’s high street
A widowed father turned to the bottle when he was forced to raise his son alone after the sudden death of his partner. But Townsville man Ugo Kennedy Njoku turned his life around, finding his saving grace in the art of hat making.
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MAKING amazing fur and straw hats has been the saving of Ugo Kennedy Njoku.
It has also resurrected something of a lost art.
But it has been a long and, at times, tragic journey.
Ugo, a Nigerian-born Englishman, grew up in London and met the love of his life in the UK capital, Townsville woman Stephanie Hansen.
They spent more than five years together in London and travelling in Europe when Stephanie was diagnosed with cancer and given just months to live.
She was also 22 weeks pregnant.
The couple came to Townsville where their son, Lenny, was born, but sadly Stephanie passed away in 2018.
Ugo turned to the bottle.
“I had a lot of figuring out to do and it took me a while,” said Ugo, now off the booze and looking smart in his new store, Ugo Kennedy Hat Shop and Hat Studio in Flinders St.
“I wanted to do something that would make my son proud, and my family in the UK,” he said.
“I have always loved hats, wearing them in London as a fashion statement to look funky, hip and cool.”
So making hats became a hobby.
He bought a millinery book and spent months visiting the city library to borrow and read books about sewing, crafts and leathers.
It was when someone took a liking to a felt hat he was wearing while he was visiting Magnetic Island that the “light bulb moment” struck.
The person offered him $150, $200 and then $300 for his hat.
He didn’t sell it but he realised he was on to something.
“I fell in love with the idea of handicrafting something. I invested in the tools needed. I began experimenting from my bedroom. Can I do it? How is it done?
“I started stitching and sewing. Before I knew it I was putting in the blood, sweat and tears. That’s when I realised I could offer something to people.
“After four years I have finally got myself in a place where I can live and support and be an active member of the community, be a father, be a hat maker and be a service to the people of Townsville, and we move forward.”
Ugo had found his calling.
While the Veronicas were in Townsville to sing for the State of Origin game one entertainment, they came into his shop.
Lisa Origliasso bought one of his hats and they have commissioned him for two western style hats they intend to wear in an upcoming music video.
The orders for hats has been flooding in.
“I have been booked out until August. I have been selling hats like hot cakes,” Ugo said.
“I’ve given up the booze and this is now my calling.”
He said it had all been possible with the support of his partner’s family.
“If it weren’t for their support, I couldn’t have done this,” Ugo said.
Originally published as Ugo Kennedy opens hat studio on Townsville’s high street
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