Ruth D. Hunt
Family Historian • Genealogist • Talk Show Host
Fashion Stylist
Specializing in Fine Millinery
Ruth D. Hunt, a native New Yorker born in Brooklyn, has worn many hats during her career. From the bustling streets of New York City’s garment center, she enjoyed an illustrious career as a Seventh Avenue Fashion Model for over 30 years. She was the first woman to break the color barrier in the swimwear industry, modeling for Sirena Swimwear, Cole of California, and Gottex of Israel. Ms. Hunt served as a freelance model for numerous fashion designers on Fashion Avenue and has graced the runways for Calvin Klein, Bill Blass, and NYC’s top department stores, as well as fashion Industry trade shows at the NY Coliseum, Madison Square Garden, and Jacob Javits Center. She worked as a “Fit” model for Essence by Mail, QVC, and Macy’s Private Labels and was the number one pick for JC Penney’s Private Labels.
​
After seeing a film on the legendary milliner couturier, Coco Chanel, Ms. Hunt was so inspired that she enrolled in New York City’s well-regarded Fashion Institute of Technology and began her studies in Millinery. After completing her studies at the top of her class, her hats were featured at the Institute’s Shirley Goodman Resource Center for an outstanding award-winning evening hat collection.
Ms. Hunt launched “Ruth Hunt Associates” and began a millinery and image consultant business. Traveling the Eastern seaboard from Connecticut to Texas, head dressing church ladies and young professionals at afternoon teas and luncheons. Ms. Hunt was featured in the Roanoke Times, the Roanoke Tribune, The Jersey Journal, and The Beaumont Times. She is well-known in the New York tri-state area, as the “Hat Lady” and is sort after by many organizations such as the Abyssinian Baptist Church, where she is a member, Bridge Street A.W.M.E Church, United Church Women, The National Baptist Convention, The Links Inc., One Hundred Black Women, Cancer Survivors at Woodhull Hospital Center and Nurses Week Celebrations. She is recognized for offering fashion tips to her clients from head to toe.
​
Drawing from her early days as a modeling instructor for the Vogue School of Charm, she continues conducting Image Workshops offering professional etiquette along with Hat etiquette for numerous organizations such as Youth in Action: Young Unwed Mothers Program, Young Peoples Association, Jack and Jill of America, Girl Friends Inc., Zeta Amicae of Brooklyn “The Delta’s Youth,” and The Girl Scouts of America.
​
For further consultation for Stylist, Modeling & Millinery services:
Contact Ruth at RuthHunt55@gmail.com
Ruth D. Hunt wearing her
Award Winning evening hat
Ruth's Award Winning Evening Hat
​
Ruth completed her studies at NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology “FIT” and was featured at the Institute’s Shirley Goodman Resource Center for her award-winning - “Evening Hat Collection.”
The Perfect Hat for Every Occasion
Ruth was in attendance at the Central Park Conservancy, and was quoted in New York Lifestyles Magazine, as shown below.
​
Ruth D. Hunt, a milliner and DAR member (Daughters of the American Revolution), was in attendance She had this to say, “The Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon was indeed a milliner’s dream come true with over thirteen hundred beautiful women wearing the most dazzling hats. The luncheon was the most delightful Fifth Avenue hat parade I have ever seen. Beautiful ladies dressed to impress, entering Central Park from all directions, uptown, downtown, and from east to west."
" A hat is a sign of a woman who knows herself, who’s not insecure, who’s not shy.” “A hat says, 'Look at me—I have it all together from my head to my toes!"
– Ruth D. Hunt