The Story of Eric Javits: From Artist to Iconic Accessories Designer

Eric Javits is an artist turned accessory designer.

1978 - Eric designs his first hat right out of Art School for his best friend, Mimi who wanted to be noticed at the door of Studio 54. When Steve Rubell saw her approach wearing the black velvet pillbox hat that Eric had created, he ushered her in past the hundreds waiting online outside. That night was the beginning of Eric'screative journey in accessory design. During the early years Eric’s focus was designing exclusive high fashion head pieces.

In the late 70’s and early 80’s he created hats for the Monet jewelry ads worn by Christina Ferrari.

1979 - Eric creates theatrical hats worn by Bette Midler for her concert tour. That same year he creates head piecesfor the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.

1979 to 1982 Eric designs hats for the fashion designer Adolfo, many of which are featured in Adolfo’s advertising. Eric considered this a huge compliment considering Adolfo began his career designing hats.

1981 - On an unofficial visit to New York City, Princess Diana is presented with an Eric Javits hat and the Key to New York medal at the British Consulate, by real estate tycoon, Lewis Rudin.

For nine consecutive years beginning in 1984 Eric Javits designs the hats for Carolina Herrera’s runway shows.

1984 – Eric’s first Vogue magazine cover, (June Issue) features Isabella Rossellini, photographed by Richard Avedon, wearing a white top hat with colorful hand painted splatters.

1986 - Eric Javits is commissioned to create the hats and faux leopard skin stiletto shoes that Madonna wears for the Broadway production of “Speed the Plow”.

Eric’s wool beret with veil is featured on the cover of the first US issue of Elle Magazine, March Issue.

Between the years of 1986 and 1995 he creates hats for the runway shows of numerous designers such as Donna Karan, Arnold Scaasi, Bob Mackie, Pauline Trigere and Mary McFadden.

1990 – Eric’s second American Vogue magazine cover for June features a shell headpiece worn by Linda Evangelista.

1991- Barbra Streisand appears on the September cover of Vanity Fair magazine wearing Eric’s black velvet newsboy cap.

1994 - Eric Javits is the only American Hat Designer featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibit, “Flor”, Fashion inspired by Flowers.

1995 - In order to change women’s perception that a hat is something precious, Eric invents and introduces to market Squishee®, an innovative material which he develops for the exclusive use of creating packable accessories. The Squishee® hat can be rolled up for travel without damaging. This is widely recognized as having changed the course of the women’s headwear market for the next ten plus years.

1997 - First Lady Hillary Clinton wears a hat designed by Eric Javits to Princess Diana’s funeral.

1998 – Eric introduces the Squishee® tote handbag, which sells over 2000 units the first season.

1999 – Eric Javits is honored for his outstanding design achievements by being named Hat Designer of the Year and Hat Designer of the Decade 1990 -1999 in the coffee table book, The Century of Hats by Susi Hopkins.   

2002 - First Lady Laura Bush wears a hat designed by Eric Javits to the Queen Mother's funeral.  

Britney Spears wears an Eric Javits fedora while performing at the MTV awards that same year.

Eric introduces casual comfort footwear that coordinates with his hats and bags.

2005 - Alicia Keys wears an Eric Javits fedora while performing at the Super Bowl.

Eric Javits’ design work has been prominently featured in numerous films and tv shows. Some of the highlights are Woody Allen’s “Alice”, “The return of the Pink Panther”, “Sex in the City”, “Married to the Mob”, “Bonfire of the Vanities”, “Mr. T & the Women”, “Big Momma‘s House II”, “The Stepford Wives”, “Will & Grace”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Dynasty” & “Gossip Girl” to name a few.

2008 – Eric designs runway hats for Oscar de la Renta’s resort collection.

2000- 2022 Eric Javits is the number one supplier of designer headwear and straw accessories at Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom’s. During the housing crisis crash of 2008, Eric Javits is the only accessory vendor to not receive cancellations because of its success.

2017- Eric introduces men’s headwear.

2019 – Ariana Grande wears Eric’s Giant Floppy black face framer on the August issue of Vogue magazine.

2020 – Due to pandemic and all wholesale orders being cancelled worldwide, the company quickly and successfully transitions to online selling, changing the wholesale business model of the first 35 years to direct to consumer.

2021- Wholesale returns as the Corona virus subsides. Eric Javits products continue to be distributed to select specialty retailers throughout the US, Canada, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Japan.