June Hudson Explained

June Hudson (born) is a British television costume designer known for her work on various science fiction TV series in the 1970s, such as Doctor Who and Blake's 7.

Doctor Who

Hudson commenced her tenure as a costume designer for Doctor Who in 1978, and subsequently assumed the role of principal costume designer in 1979. Her initial productions, namely "The Ribos Operation" (1978) and "The Creature from the Pit" (1979), garnered commendation from the series' producer, Graham Williams. Williams expressed his appreciation for Hudson's work and requested her involvement in at least two additional productions within the 1979–80 recording period.^[1]

June Hudson was asked to be the sole costume designer by John Nathan-Turner for Doctor Who 18th season in 1980 due to her success in producing great effects on a limited budget; however, the BBC costume department felt the responsibilities were too much for one person, and asked Hudson to nominate a second designer. She chose Amy Roberts, whose style was similar to Hudson's. Hudson's more notable costume designs included outfits for principal characters, such as Lalla Ward's portrayal of the second Romana and the armor worn by the Gundans. In 2024, Hudson made a cameo appearance in the series 14 episode "The Devil's Chord".

Blake's 7

Hudson's contributions to Blake's 7 began with the show's second series, her most notable contribution being the leather outfits worn by the Liberator crew.

Hudson's creations are listed by episode below:

• "Redemption": Kerr Avon's dark blue leather and studs, Roj Blake's voluminous green leather bat-sleeves and boots, and Cally's wide-shouldered outfit.
• "Shadow": Avon's silver leather tunic, studded belt and thigh-high black leather boots, and opulent velvet suits for the Terra Nostra crime lords.
• "Weapon": Large, elaborately decorated collars for Servalan, Coser, Rashel and Clonemaster Fen. Servalan wears the same white feather cloak as Romana in "The Ribos Operation". Travis's new uniform is made of ribbed black material. Leotard-cloak-skirt combinations for Carnell and the Federation officer. Jenna and Cally's pleated long dresses. Avon's red leather "lobster suit" proved difficult with producers, directors and the actor himself. The original costume included conical spikes on the collar, which she had originally designed to symbolize the character's angry nature, but which had to be removed at the insistence of the producer.^[2]
• "Horizon": Velvet costumes for Ro and the Federation officers, flowing blue robes with elaborate feather decorations for Ro and Selma's native costumes.
• "Pressure Point": Servalan in a coat-like dress revealing her thighs and legs made entirely of soft white plastic, complete with hat and wide collar. Later, she sports a pleated white gown with a large metal insect-shaped decoration holding the dress in place.
• "Trial": New leather costumes for the whole Liberator crew.
• "Killer": Insect-like plastic capes for laboratory workers, insect details on their white costumes, safety suits made entirely of modified Michelin Man costumes.

Hudson mentions delegating the costume design to other colleagues for the second half of the second series, so for example, she does not identify as the designer of the costumes of the episode "Gambit", although she approves of the work and is still credited as the costume designer on the end credits throughout the second series.

Other work

Hudson continues her involvement with the screen, as a designer, consultant and teacher of designing. She makes an appearance in Lalla's Wardrobe documentary. Her interest in Doctor Who persists, and she has recently produced the front cover of TARDISbound, a book on the series from the publisher I.B. Tauris. She also produced the cover illustration for Iris Wildthyme and the Celestial Omnibus, from publisher Obverse Books.

Sources and links

Footnotes

Other sources and links

• "June Hudson's Costume Designs", an extra feature on Blake's 7 Season 3 DVDs
• "June Hudson's Leisure Wear", an extra feature on the Doctor Who "Leisure Hive" DVD
• The BBC Doctor Who Classic Series Episode Guide
  • June Hudson's website
• Tom Baker's website (see "Doctor Who Costume Designs" in the "Photos & Videos" section)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Doctor Who – Costume Design – Tom Baker Official . 22 August 2022 . en-US.
2. June Hudson's interview, Blake's 7 Season 3 DVD extras