Raymond Hudd
| The millinery world mourns the passing of Raymond Hudd, an original and innovative Chicago milliner whose hats graced the heads of Phyllis Diller, Joan Crawford and countless fashionable Chicago women. Raymond passed away July 20th at age 86 in a nursing home in Muskegon, Michigan not far from where he grew up. Chapeau has a special connection to Raymond Hudd. In 2004, Chapeau initiated the Raymond Hudd award for millinery accomplishment given to a student of the Art Institute of Chicago Fashion Department. Raymond was an honorary member of Chapeau, and in 2005 our event Falling Head First focused on Raymond’s story with a documentary film and fashion show. I had the privilege of making that documentary. The title of the film, In Everything I Saw a Hat, is a direct quote from Raymond. When you interview someone, you search for the things unsaid, hoping for the story never told before. Raymond had been interviewed so many times over so many years that he had his answers before I asked the questions. However, during the many days we spent together during the shoot, he revealed new stories and experiences. My favorite was one from his childhood. His mother would send him on a mission to find different items – bits of gravel, twigs – and then she’d assign him the task to create something from these findings. This element of creative challenge stayed with Raymond for the rest of his life, as evidenced by his later hats composed of birds’ nests and twigs, vegetables, toys, and his kidney stone among other outrageous items. It was true that in everything he saw a hat. As a young man, upon seeing a beautiful hat, he said, “I can do that” and then proceeded to. This was Raymond’s motto on creating – I can do that – and he did. He created for years; he created with found objects, with everyday items, with outrageous themes to his collections. Raymond was generous in his praise and encouragement to aspiring milliners, including myself and members of Chapeau. Gracious, delightful and wonderful, I doubt there will be another like him. From all of us at Chapeau, members past and present, we will miss him. Wherever he is, I know that in everything he is seeing a heavenly hat. Laurie Kennard |
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Chapeau: The Milliners Guild - All Rights Reserved 2011
