Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Hagerty.
Hi Sharon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My millinery and hat shop owner story began when I was looking thru a course catalog for adult education in San Francisco. I had enjoyed sewing classes and vintage clothes in High School and wished to persue course work in design. In the course cataolg I saw a class for Millinery. At 18 yrs old I had never seen the word nor knew what it meant. As soon as I looked up the word Millinery In a Dictionary my excitment rose and I signed up. It was instant. As soon as I blocked and hand finished my first hat I knew this was what I could do.
I hand made a collection of one of a kind hats and created a runway fashion show to launch my brand.
I loved the work so much that I then found the Millinery program at FIT in NYC and I moved there and completed a Certificate in Millinery.
In the 1980’s NYC things were exciting and happened fast. My work was seen by editorial writers and my hats were first published in British Vogue and then by Andy Warhol for the Ford Modeling Agency Calendar.
Many more years of work and study and millinery jobs have built my skill set to where I am today as a haberdasher and fine hat seller in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh The struggkes!
Supporting myself as I went to school and lived in NYC on my own. I worked as an au pair to cover my rent so I could attend FIT and have a place to live.
The struggles of working many jobs as well as creating hats. The amount of tools and expensive hat blocks I had to carry around and find in flea markets. The struggle of first owning Eclipse Hat Shop in the Grunge Era of Seattle. The wonderful though rough road of becoming a mom and then having to give up on my hat career to get more steady work to help support my family.
Lots of struggles though having held the passion I rebuilt my shop again in 2021 and love going to work everyday and selling beautiful hats
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Eclipse Hat Shop was founded in 1949 by master hatter Herman Helmun.
My hat shop specializes in fine hats made around the world. I sell the best brands from Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, and of course Stetson Hats.
I also repair and restore fine hats.
My assistant Diego and I help customers find a hat that fits and looks great.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My mentors are so many!
Teachers! Millinery teachers
Ann Albrizio, Herman Helmun. My sistees who helped shape me in my early years.
My retail experience business owners with whom I worked. Brian Fedorow was an early big believer in me. He was a vintage clothing dealer and then designer of his own brand. I learned how one can work for themself and how much hard work and fun that is!
So many teachers in college, my supportive family and many friends who have bought my hats.
I have worked for many great retail store owners from whom I learned so much.
My amazing hat reps whom I can call anytime for questions and hat talks have helped make my business a success. Thank you Brian, Shawn, Pablo, Krista, and many more!
I so much appreciate my customers who buy hats from me and support a small business. I do everything from buying hats, display, cleaning, selling, doing my own IG and all business details. I even answer my phone!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.eclipsehatshop.com
- Instagram: Eclipsehatshop
