The iconic hat was designed by Karyn Ruiz of Lilliput Hats in Toronto.
A Toronto-based designer is putting a hat made famous by Gord Downie up for auction.
A replica of the purple hat that Downie wore during the final tour with the Tragically Hip in 2016 is up for bid at Gala Bid. Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund.
The hat was created by Karyn Ruiz of Lilliput Hats.
She says she initially resisted the urge to duplicate the hats for commercial sale but made an exception for the tenth anniversary of the band's final show in Kingston.
Ruiz made six hats for the tour in several different colours from pink to white.
She says Downie initially approached her with the idea of creating a hat similar to one that Bob Dylan wore in the early days of his career.
Ruiz says it took some time before the two settled on the final design.
The hat became a lasting symbol of Downie who, at the same time, became an unlikely fashion icon.
But Ruiz says that was what made him so admirable by his fans.
As of Monday, the most recent bid for the hat was $2,050. The auction closes on August 21.
One of the original hats is on display at the Music from Miles Around exhibit at Kingston City Hall.
Story by Ken Hashizume
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