Harriet Fisher

Fisher, Harriet (Nee Hayes) February 25, 1919 - November 9, 2011. Following her graduation from Parsons School of Design in New York, former Toledoan Harriet Fisher seized an opportunity - her sister's. Becoming a fashion designer was nothing she had planned on. A graduate of the University of Toledo who had won a scholarship to Parsons, she was interested in display and advertising art. A Milwaukee firm had offered an opportunity to her sister who wasn't interested. Harriet answered the letter, got the job and began designing sportswear in a career that lasted six decades. Beginning her career with Petti, she also worked as a designer creating sportswear lines for Junior House, Jack Winter and later Imperial Knit, where her clients included Pendleton, Bogner and others. Harriet and her husband Bill (deceased 1957), an executive with Junior House, traveled four or five times a year to New York to stay atop of trends, all while raising three children. She won many awards, including The Fashion Academy Award. While designing for Jack Winter she traveled frequently to Europe and met with Salvador Dali to collaborate on a swimsuit. A young championship tennis player in Toledo, Harriet brought her love of tennis to Milwaukee, playing in Whitefish Bay and at the Town Club. She also loved art and remained an active artist in pastels, drawing and clay. In 2002, she moved to Fort Collins, CO to be closer to her children and enjoy the Rockies, where she was an avid cross-country skier and horsewoman throughout her life. She was always smiling and in college was named "Most Beautiful Smile" while attending Ohio State, which dedicated a yearbook page to her as a sophomore. Harriet is survived by her three children, Bill Fisher of Fraser, CO, Nancy Wilhelms of Basalt, CO and John Fisher of Clark, CO; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. An open house reception is scheduled for 2 - 4 PM on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at New Mercer Commons, 900 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins.