In 1880, John Cavanagh embarked on his career as a hatter in New York City. Under the wing of James H. Knapp at Crofut & Knapp, Cavanagh honed his craft and steadily rose through the ranks. By 1907, he had become Vice President, and in 1923, he was appointed as President.

Fast forward to 1928, and Cavanagh-Dobbs Inc. was established, with Cavanagh’s own label, Cavanagh Hats, at its core. The label was headquartered in New York City, where Cavanagh opened an exclusive store, John Cavanagh, Ltd., located at 247 Park Avenue. During the 1920s and 1930s, the company was considered one of the top hat-makers, with Cavanagh at the helm. He continued to be a sought-after hat maker throughout the 1950s and even into the 1960s, producing exceptional hats that were highly coveted.