Paul’s Hat Works was opened and ran by Napoleon Marquez from from 1918 to 1955. He came to the US from Peru, having grown up around the Ecuadorian tradition of weaving panama straw hats.
He passed the legacy to his godson Kelley Bowling, who ran it with his wife Stephanie for many more years. The third generation to own Paul’s Hat Works was Michael Harris and his wife Judy. Michael became the owner in 1980, but 28 years later he was ready to retire and paint the coastsof California. Michael looked for a successor, sure that only a knight in shining armor could continue the 91 year old legacy.
Paul’s Hat Works was profiled by Hegedusworld for The Nightly Business Report on PBS.
Low and behold four young ladies of the neighborhood rose to the occasion. With a collective history in fashion, textiles, costuming, invention and co-operative buisness, the four ladies filled the role of knight in shining armor well. Abbie Dwelle, Wendy Hawkins, Olivia Griffin and Kirsten Hove took the shop over from Michael Harris in June of 2009. The ladies apprenticed with Michael, learning the craft of making hats, and of their oral history. What the shop has traditionally made are classic, quality, custom hand crafted panama straw and beaver felt hats. The ladies aim to continue this tradition. Most of these classic straw and felt hats are co-designed by customers themselves, after we have taken their needs, specs, and conformiteur into consideration.
