The maiden name of Tamas & Gabor Koltai’s mother:
Georgina Rafael.

The RAFAEL name was first used by Laszlo Rafael, the patriarch of the Rafael family in Budapest, Hungary.

Laszlo Rafael started a modest family business: Rafael Furiers in 1935. Within a few years Laszlo’s classic chapeaus and headpieces were sought by the country’s most famous opera singers, athletes, artizans, politicians and professionals from all fields. As word of his talent spread he eventually became the country’s most respected hatmaker and soon became responsible for training and certifying every professional hatmaker in the land.

As a tribute to his wife Georgina and to his father-in-law Laszlo Rafael; Andy Koltai, the founder of RAFAEL STUDIOS adopted the RAFAEL name to carry on the traditions set down nearly half a century ago.

The RAFAEL heritage lives on with Andy and his two sons Tamas & Gabor.