Award to K!

Miss K annouced through tears of joy on Tuesday (May 5) that she was the

2009 recipient of The Raymond Hudd Millinery Award!

Now this poster has been on an end table since K was home back in March.  I didn’t really know what it was for except that K was the model but it wasn’t her hat or her award.    It was cute.  She is my daughter.  I kept the paper. I didn’t really know anymore than that.

Until SHE won!!

She had a very full day and since I didn’t hear my phone when she tried in a stolen minute, I first heard the news via Phil.  He was crying to tell me she called crying to say she won!  Phil said, “I clarified, ‘you won?’, and she said, ‘yes!'”  🙂

wool felted hat with ribbon flowers

We couldn’t be more proud!!

So at 8 p.m. finally on her way home that day, she called me and through tears told me all about the day and her award.

Her Hat class II that I’ve mentioned in other posts had the final critque on Tuesday.  In most class, there is a culmination display the student arranges for the final.

2 piece wool felted hat for another student's fashion show - note the profile on the black portion

In her hat class, the instructor brought in 3 of those in the art world to be judges for this award.  The award was also started by this instructor in honor of Mr. Hudd, a great milliner ‘in the day’.

The judges were:

• Richard Wetzel – huge artist from the 60’s
• Susan Aurinko – photographer and owner of the Flat File Gallery where the students had their hat gallery a few weeks ago
• Daniela Ortiz – led the SAIC fashion show for a couple of years

After each student had presented their display and spent time discussing with the judges, the judges deliberated.

AN HOUR!

*sigh*

When they returned, they started at the top of the list instead of giving out drama.   Our K had won 1st place for Best Body of Work!  The award itself is a high honor but also includes a financial benefit (which will be spent on hatmaking supplies!) and a dinner out.

coon hat & hat pin - sold at the gallery

After the other awards were given out, she quickly packed up her display (maybe called Dad at that time?) and was taken away for a very nice dinner with her dear hat instructor and the 3 judges.  She really enjoyed the time talking with them and had the wherewithall to ask them, “Why me?”

They said her display was the most finished.  They noticed her craftsmanship.  She said the instructor stresses that and her mom did too when she was little.  😀  Eia, the instructor, replied that all hear it but not all execute it.  🙂

K said her competition was really tough!  She was the only one who chose to use a long table and she had completely filled it.  She actually left out 2 additional hats she had with her.

(Later she learned that choosing the first place award was the easiest for them.  🙂 )

Dinner was lavish and at a restaurant where one of the judges is the party planner.  A private party with their own specially designed menus with the award name across the top.

Each person was brought their own plate of appetizers normally served to the whole table.   There were wonderful breads there and K’s entree (5 to choose from) was a pasta dish with mushrooms & bacon.   For dessert she chose a lemon meringue dessert with a cookie wafer in the top.

I love the trimmed feathers used here.

After the dinner & conversation, she headed to a visiting artist’s lecture and then had a night class.

Mr. Hudd is still living but he is sad that he is in a retirement center/nursing home setting.  K asked for his address and is going to write him and send some along some pictures.  I hope that brightens his day.

Congratulations!!!

These hat pictures are from a photo shoot K did with fellow students.  The photographer is in photography and the model is an RA friend.   The hats are a few of the ones K has made over the last 2 semesters and were just a part of the final/judging.