Our Beginnings
In 1922, Worth & Worth founder, John Margulies, had a vision to change the way people viewed and shopped for hats.
The idea was to create a hat brand that offered a collection of distinctive styles and colors for every type of client. Worth & Worth hats were designed specifically to fit a person's face and build. This formula was used to essentially capture the client's essences. They were first sold exclusively at Saks & Co until the first Worth & Worth store opened later that year at 1572 Broadway. Since then, Worth & Worth has been establishing a legacy of excellence and high-level craftsmanship.
New York, New York
1936 marked the year of expansion of the Worth & Worth brand.
A new store opened at 603 fifth Avenue, where the company occupied all five floors of the building. Worth & Worth also debuted a complete line of men's apparel that was carried exclusively in the new location. With three stores in the heart of New York City, Worth & Worth quickly grew to become a staple in New York's menswear fashion community.
The Silver Year
In 1948, Worth & Worth celebrated it's silver anniversary.
For twenty five years John Margulies, president of Worth & Worth, built a brand that was patronized by entertainment and sports personalities amongst many others. During this time Worth & Worth found a life-long clients in legendary musician Frank Sinatra and the exceptional movie start Humphrey Bogart. The passion in which Mr. Sinatra exuded through his music was equally matched by Mr. Margulies' passion for the finest hats in the world.
A New Era
Harvey Kane, Worth & Worth lining supplier and long time client purchased the company in 1959.
Under Harvey's ownership the company continued its expansion opening a new store at the Astor Hotel following by the Madison avenue store. Harvey Kane had a vision for the brand and saw the potential in what the company would later become. During that time Worth & Worth's client base and mind share over the market continued to expand at a rapid pace earning it the reputation as the best hatshop in NYC.
A Name To Remember
In 1974, Worth & Worth garnered mass amounts of attention within the pop-culture when they were seen worn by international pop and rock pioneers as David Bowie among others.
During that time legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor was also photographed wearing hats by Worth & Worth. The company had now become a staple brand loved and respected by the biggest names in music, sports, television and film.
The Evolution of Worth & Worth
In 1980, Harry Rosenholtz, an apprentice of the company developed such a love for the brand and Harvey's Daughter that he married both
Harry bought the company and became the third owner of Worth & Worth. Armed with new marketing strategies and enthusiasm, Harry was determined to make Worth & Worth a nationally recognized brand, by capitalizing on the brand's growing presence in pop-culture. Under Harry's leadership, Worth & Worth launched it's first catalogue introducing new colors and styles.He also worked with growing fashion designers such as Ralph Lauren and Yohji Yamamoto's to collaborate on W&W product placement within their respective campaigns. That year Worth & Worth was acknowledged as the oldest hat shop in New York City. In 1983, Worth and Worth was honored as Hatter of the Year by the Headwear Institute of America; a dedication to continue its tradition of great quality and superb service.
Pop Culture, Worth’s Culture
In 1980, Harry Rosenholtz, an apprentice of the company developed such a love for the brand and Harvey's Daughter that he married both.
Harry bought the company and became the third owner of Worth & Worth. Armed with new marketing strategies and enthusiasm, Harry was determined to make Worth & Worth a nationally recognized brand, by capitalizing on the brand's growing presence in pop-culture.
Beyond New York
Harry Rosenholtz had always envisioned the company establishing a presence outside New York City and in 1993 Worth & Worth opened it's Boston store.
The following year, it's second location opened in Chicago. This was a major milestone for the New York City based brand. The growth of Worth & Worth was documented in popular news publications including The New Yorker, New York Times, and New York magazine.
A New Generation
Worth & Worth welcomed it's fourth and current owner.
Orlando Palacios assumed control as a talented conceptual artist and hat designer from Los Angeles. As a master craftsman, Palacios started his own company in 1990 by supplying hand-carved, wooden hat forms for the hat industry across Europe and South America. Orlando's fresh new approach, creativity, and ingenuity kept the brands 80 year old reputation intact while gaining significant notoriety from a new generation.
Ahead of Fashion
Worth & Worth started to see an uptick in interest coming from the fashion industry.
Collection collaborations and campaign partnerships with designers such as Custo Barcelona, Phillip Lim, and Louis Vuitton were starting to take place more frequently.Hats by W&W were featured on celebrities such as Ashley Olsen, Beyonce, Sean Connery, and Elvis Costello to name a few. Vanity Fair Magazine's annual Hollywood issue featured Worth & Worth hats in a ten page editorial highlighting the most popular actors and actresses of the year. Also, Orlando Palacios was featured in Time- Out magazine as one of the most stylish New Yorker's of the year while Rolling Stone magazine named Worth & Worth The Rock and Roll Haberdasher. This was also the year Worth & Worth celebrated opening a new workshop and showroom at the current location of 45 West 57th Street in midtown NYC.
Our 90th Year
Worth & Worth celebrated 90 years of excellence and dedication to fine handcrafted hats in 2012.
Numerous fashion publications including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Instyle magazine featured the brand and product throughout their pages. Worth & Worth was also covered by news publication New York Times, LA Times, and New York magazine with regard to the notoriety and reputation that had been built throughout the tenure of Orlando Palacios. During this time collaborations with fashion designers DVF, Thom Browne, Oscar De La Renta, and John Varvatos started to solidify the mind share of Worth & Worth. Hats were featured in movies and shows such as J. Edgar, starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Boardwalk Empire, staring Steve Buschemi and Michael Shannon . The brand also garnered the loyal support from a large list of celebrity clientele including The Rolling Stones Keith Richards, Sports-star Kobe Bryant, Actress Emma Watson, Supermodel Christie Brinkley and many others.
A Brand New Refresh
To protect the spirit of a creative visionary superbly in touch with his time and at the top of his craft, Orlando launched a new communication platform for Worth & Worth, in January 2013.
A new brand image with a vibrant website, bring to life a new fresh perspective on Orlando's work. The W&W new campaign "Underneath my hat" aims to show an authentic and intimate moment with Worth & Worth's icons by a serie of snapshots into the character's life. This original and poetic portrait through the hat's narration started in Los Angeles in 2012. Worth & Worth's icons are musicians, professionals, hairdressers, movie makers, artists, producers... They have a strong personality with a sense of style, passionate in what they do. The reportage will continue to highlight W&W's customers throughout United States.
