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Artist Lynn E. Haude, 76, Noted Orinoka Mills’ Designer, Dies F&FI News Network
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EW YORK — Lynn E. Haude, a well-known decorative and upholstery fabrics designer, whose work was recently on display at the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, died Dec. 19, 2019. She was 76. Haude lived in New York for about 30 years at 1 Fifth Ave., an iconic building in Greenwich Village, near Washington Square Park. Lynn is survived by her three brothers, Jeff, Butch Lynn Haude was known and James; also for her creativity and her sisters in law kindness. Janette, Martha and Christa.She was born June 14, 1943, and was considered to be an accomplished watercolor artist. However, Haude was most recognized for her work during her 30-year career as Design Director of Orinoka Mills Corp. from the 1960s to the 1990s. “Lynne Haude was an extremely talented artist and headed up the Orinoka studio in New York City for so many years,” says Scott Kravet, vice president, Kravet Design, who recently purchased the Orinoka design archive from Langenthal Mills in Rural Hall, North Carolina. “I believe Haude worked for Orinoka in New York from the mid1960s to the late-1990s when Orinoka was a premier jacquard weaving mill that catered to the high-end furniture manufacturers and Jobbers. “I have fortunately acquired the Orinoka archives and her designs are plentiful with her
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Two paintings by Lynn Haude.
48 • www.FandFI.com • Spring 2020
hours that she took to complete each design. These hours are indicated in the corner of each design. I am very grateful to have known her during the peak of her career.” Prior to her retirement, Haude also worked at Wearbest Mils in Garfield, New Jersey (now owned by Swavelle Fabrics). At one time, Orinoka Mills was a thriving American curtain and upholstery mill built in the 1880s by the The original Orinoka Mills building in Kensington, Penn., (U.S.) Solomon Brothers. Orinoka initially is today a housing development. produced silk and curtain materials, but in 1898, the firm shifted emphasis to upholstery. Orinoka had 300 looms runtechnical skills and market savvy. I was a new ning in the 1930s, when it was decided to move sales representative on the West Coast, and we its upholstery operations to York, Pennsylvania, bonded immediately. Lynn brought fresh ideas and other locations in the southern U.S. to the mill and was always subtly pushing the Orinoka Mills, formerly B. L. Solomon’s Sons, envelope to get an old dog to learn new tricks. was considered a major textile company locatShe had lots of ideas and amazing patience. ed in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Before long the mill was enjoying a renaissance It was purchased in the mid-1980s by Lantal - the qualities and designs in high demand. Textiles, Inc., and in 1989, Orinoka was inte“Lynn traveled to the West Coast to work grated into Langenthal Mills in Rural Hall, with me and my clients and meetings were a NC. Through the purchase, Lantal (which joy. She knew everyone. All the clients loved her was later named Langenthal) acquired the and had great admiration for her talent. A trip extensive 10,000-piece library of Orinoka with Lynn was a cause for celebration whether fabric documents, which includes some of it was visiting my customers or a trade show the designs created by Lynn Haude. in Europe. Her eye for trends and color was In her later years, Haude was the hisunerring and walking a show with her always torian and organizing member of the revealed an unexplored depth of understanding Knickerbocker branch of the National Society of design and the textile business. She also knew Daughters of the American Revolution. where all the best restaurants were wherever we “She shared her textile talent and experwent, which was a skill not to be taken lightly. tise for a great many service projects,” says “When she left Raxon, it seemed Lynn didn’t Sarah Collins, regent of the group. Collins really retire. She kept her hand in design with says Haude was also an accomplished knitter the mills and consultants and never stopped who used the knitting arts as a way to reach drawing. Creating was as natural to Lynn as out to her community and those in need. breathing is to most people. Sketching, painting, making cards, knitting - it was her lifeblood. We CANDACE KEY REMEMBERS HER stayed in touch over the years and got togethFRIEND, LYNNE HAUDE er whenever I was in New York. I marveled at “Lynn Haude was the head designer at Lantal/ her ability to get around such a busy city in Orinoka when we met in the late 1980s. She was her scooter, but typically she was resourcelegendary for her design prowess and historic ful and always found the easiest route and knowledge of textiles, but we didn’t get a chance best time to get to the museums and shows. to work together until 1996 when we were both “She was my personal resource for the best new to Raxon shows to see when in NYC. Her bright spirit, Fabrics. unflappable nature, and kindness were an inspi“Lynn started ration and strength to many. The textile industry as a consulwould not be quite as rich without Lynn’s influtant there, ence, and her gentle presence will be missed by brought in by all who had the great fortune of knowing her.” Dick Wagner, Candace Key has been active in the textile but manageindustry since 1987, working for Boris Kroll, Knoll ment quickly Textiles, and Deepa Textiles as a designer, and discovered since 1996, as a mill agent and consultant for the depth of several domestic and European mills. F&FI her talent and need for her