Four Generations, One Passion, One Hundred Years of History
1926
‘Lost Generation’
Anna Sterkowska - the founder
Anna Sterkowska was hardworking and determined. She is also remembered as gentle and family-oriented, but she rarely smiled.
E. Hemingway coined the term "Lost Generation" to describe the difficult fate of those whose youth was marked by the First World War and the Great Depression.
It all began in Warsaw in 1926
In 1926, in a newly reborn Poland, Anna Sterkowska - a young widow and talented milliner - opened her own workshop. At that time, milliners were an elite group of artisans who specialized in designing and creating elegant headwear. Thanks to her talent and creativity, Anna's hats quickly gained recognition and her small workshop began to grow. This was the beginning of a family-run manufactory.
No one could have imagined that, nearly a century later, hats crafted in the workshop would be sold from the United States to Europe, Asia, and Australia. But let's start at the beginning...
The 1930s
Anna's first source of support was her son, Zygmunt. As a child, he watched his mother work, absorbed the atmosphere of the workshop, and developed a love of craftsmanship. He took on daily tasks - helping to prepare materials, tidying up, and assisting with minor finishing touches. Under his mother's watchful eye, he learned the secrets of the craftsmanship that would become the foundation of his own career.
1939
‘The Greatest Generation’
Zygmunt Sterkowski, Anna's son
Zygmunt Sterkowski - tireless worker, organizer, and community figure. He had high expectations of others, but even higher expectations of himself. A true representative of his generation, embodying its defining qualities.
The Second World War (1939-1945)
The outbreak of the Second World War radically changed life and work in the Polish capital. Zygmunt joined the sapper units and participated in the Warsaw Uprising. After its defeat, he was sent to Germany for forced labor, and the once-thriving business was temporarily closed. Despite the dramatic circumstances, the resilience and perseverance that Zygmunt inherited from his mother helped him survive.
Post-War Reconstruction - Vision and Entrepreneurship
In May 1945, Zygmunt returned to a devastated Warsaw. Together with a business partner, he reopened the Sterkowski Workshop. Recognizing the immense demand for clothing and accessories in a country that needed everything, he expanded operations and hired more people. He introduced new styles of caps and produced both men's and women's clothing, including shirts and coats. Ambitious and open to innovation, Zygmunt eagerly experimented with materials and tailoring techniques. The company constantly struggled with shortages of raw materials, a common challenge in socialist and planned economies. Despite these constraints, the small workshop grew into a team of several dozen employees in just two years. Thanks to Zygmunt's ingenuity and perseverance, the company was built on a solid foundation.
The communist era - the struggle to keep craftsmanship alive
Private enterprise was subject to severe restrictions and repression. During the so-called "Battle for Commerce," initiated by Hilary Minc, the state sought even greater control over the economy in an effort to stifle private initiative. The company was hit with heavy tax burdens. In the late 1950s, Zygmunt's business partner decided to emigrate to France. Zygmunt, however, never considered giving up the family business. He scaled down operations but continued to produce caps, hats, and berets, ensuring that his loyal customers had access to quality products.
The workshop became a fixture in Warsaw's commercial landscape, first operating at 10 Wolska St. and later moving to 20 Bracka St. in the city center. Zygmunt constantly modernized his workshop, introducing innovations that made him a pioneer in the industry. In the early 1970s, he imported special hat molds from the French company Garneau in Paris and bought the first hydraulic hat press from the German company Bahner.
Zygmunt fought to keep production going while also being involved in community work: serving on the Examination Committee, the Technical Progress Club, and training craftsmen throughout Poland. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Medal of the National Education Commission.
1946
‘Baby boomers’
Marek and Jerzy Sterkowski, Anna's grandchildren
Marek and Jerzy Sterkowski were ambitious and innovative.
Educated at the Warsaw University of Technology, they were reliable and hardworking. They listened to rock and roll and had a bit of a hippie spirit, but they worked just as hard as their parents and grandparents.
Three workshops, one family
Zygmunt passed on his passion for craftsmanship to his sons, Marek and Jerzy.
Each opened his own workshop to carry on the family tradition. The three craftsmen - father and sons - were awarded the prestigious Jan Kiliński Gold Medal for their contributions to Polish craftsmanship, technological advancement, and educational and social initiatives.
Political changes and the beginning of the 21st century
1989 marked the beginning of a new era - Poland reclaims sovereignty, democracy, and the market economy. For the Sterkowski brand, this turning point was not just a change in the rules of the game, but a true test of resilience and ingenuity. With skyrocketing inflation, difficult economic reforms, and the growth of cheap imports, finding a place in the new market was a challenge. Changing fashion trends and the "fast foodization" of life added further obstacles, requiring handmade headwear to prove its worth.
1980
‘Millennials’
Szymon Sterkowski and Przemysław Kratochwil,
Anna's great-grandchildren
[Work in progress...] - We are still working on what we will write here one day.
e-Sterkowski - the digital revolution
2010 marked another milestone for the brand. The fourth generation took the management, believing in the power of the Internet. Sterkowski products became available worldwide, reaching customers all over the world. The primary markets became the United States and Western Europe, with a constantly growing presence in Asia.
The modern global economy also opened doors to collaborations with top fabric manufacturers around the world. Many new styles and material options that were previously out of reach are now accessible. As a result, we can sew with some of the finest materials in the world.
On the eve of our 100th anniversary
For nearly a century, we have continued to create headwear with meticulous attention to detail and a deep respect for tradition. Our caps and hats are designed using original patterns inspired by history and pop culture.
In 2024, Marek Sterkowski was awarded the Kiliński Saber, the highest award given to craftsmen in Poland. Our history has attracted the interest of academics - we are both the subject and the object of research on long-standing family businesses. We cooperate with Kozminski University in Warsaw and have also attracted the attention of international scholars such as Prof. Toshio Goto of Tokyo University of Economics and Prof. Andrea Colli of Bocconi University in Milan.
Join us in writing the next chapter of this story. Just put on a cap or a hat from our manufactory and... go out into the world!