Thank you to Rich Siegel and Jeannie Laub for providing information on Michael's life and career.
Michael Chanda immigrated to America in 1921 sailing on the S.S. Adriatic from Southampton on April 20, 1921. He traveled with his Mother Susanna and siblings Mary and John. The family arrived at the Port of New York on April 29, 1921. His brother John spent time in the hospital at Ellis Island and was later discharged. The family was joining husband and father Michael Chanda at 27 Kulick Street, in Clifton, New Jersey. It is noted that Susanna had previous immigration dates of 1908 and 1913 and her daughter Mary 1912 and 1913.
Michael was the son of Michael Chanda of the village Starina and Susan Hnat of the village Orlov. His parents had been in the U.S. between 1906 and 1908 and most likely married in Passaic, New Jersey. His sister Mary was born in Clifton New Jersey in 1911. Soon after Mary’s birth the family returned to Slovakia. Michael and his brother John were born in Starina.
On the 1930 Census the Chanda family was renting a home, #43 Kulik Street in Clifton. This was a two family property owned by Paul and Elizabeth Dopirak. The Chanda family’s birth place was listed as Czecho-Slovakia and the language they spoke was listed as Ruthenian. Michael Chanda, Sr. was employed as an ironworker at a foundry. Michael and his sons were naturalized citizens. Susanna was not naturalized. This was not uncommon for the women to not be naturalized.
Also residing with the family was their daughter Mary and her husband George Chanda. George had been born in New Jersey and was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal System. George’s Chanda family was from the village of Maly Lipnik. This is a neighboring village to Starina and Orlov.
According to Michael his parents later operated one of the last working farms in Clifton, Passaic County, New Jersey. Upon his parents deaths Michael shared ownership of the farmland with his nephew. The land was later sold to developers. Presently there is an adult condominium community on the property called “Michael Chanda Arms”. The street that runs through the development is called “Chanda Court”.
Michael made a name for himself in the fashion industry from the 1940's through the 1960's. He apprenticed with Hattie Carnegie. He had no formal college training and went directly into business. He designed hats for the rich and famous women of the world, as well as selling two lines of ladies' hats to department stores and boutiques across the country.
Michael's upscale line was his signature Chanda hat line. His affordable line was under the name of Michael Roy. His full name was Michael Roy Chanda, and he alternated between being called Michael and being called Roy at various times in his life. Both lines were very successful and very well-known. His clients for his up-scale line included movie stars such as Joan Crawford. His business was located at several addresses early on but for most of its existence it was headquartered at 6 West 57th St in New York just a few doors off 5th Avenue.
Michael always valued being an artist more than a hat designer. He intended to have a second career as a visual artist. He left the millinery business as a young man, intending to dedicate the rest of his life to producing art and pursuing an art career. Instead he became a recluse, particularly after the death of his partner George Poniatowski, and while he produced a lot of art, he never made any in-roads into the art world. Michael painted, produced a lot of collages, and did some small sculpture pieces.
Michael passed away in 2004. He spent his final years still working between his homes in New York City and Middletown, New York.
Below is an excellent example of Michael’s craftsmanship.
This is a black brimmed hat by Chanda from the 1950-60's. The hat measures 9 1/2" from brim to brim on the outside x approx 2 1/2" high x 6 3/4" on the inside.
According to Julie Burton this hat belonged to her aunt who was always going to high society affairs and getting her picture in the Denver paper from 1930's-60's, so needless to say she had to dress accordingly & she also loved hats!
Chanda Hat Photos Courtesy of
Julie Burton
Ruby Lane shop Julie's Vintage Jewels
