For as long as she can remember, PAZ Co-Founder, Melinda Damico, always wanted to somehow combine her professional skill as a licensed customs broker specialized in fashion and her deep passion for animals and the environment into a meaningful new direction that could sustain and fulfill her. 

She finally found it on her first trip to Brazil in 2005.  Ardent travelers, she and her husband, PAZ Co-Founder Dan Fries, were soaking in the rich culture and hot sun while touring around on a small boat when a friend offered Melinda the use of his wide-brimmed hat.  

She immediately fell in love with it.  It was the greatest looking hat she had ever seen.  Dan concurred.  The two were intrigued to know more. 

Where did it come from?  What was it made of?  Gradually, they pieced together the story of the retired trucker’s canvas that was being used by a few clever Brazilians to make unique accessories.

With the help of their friend and a number of gracious Brazilians, Melinda and Dan discovered a small, family-run factory where some of the hats were being made.

After expressing their interest to the factory owner, they learned more about the recycled canvas as well as a unique “faux leather” being made in the Amazon.

The more they heard, the more they realized that the story spoke directly to Melinda’s skills and passions as well as her innate fashion sense.