Betty David

Betty David (1938 – August 31, 2007) was a Native American fashion designer renowned for her handmade coats and leather goods.

David was born in Nespelem, Washington; she attended the University of Oregon and Marylhurst College.[1] She was enrolled as a member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Wellpinit, Washington.[1]

In the 1970s, she received a shearling coat as a gift and decided she could design a better one.[2] She first began selling her hand-sewn coats decorated with painted designs in, in David's own words, "Northwest Coast Indian style," at the Santa Fe Art Market.[2] She later sold her work at galleries in Spokane and New York City and received attention in major publications.[3][4][5][6]

Her work was acquired by the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston, Illinois and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.[1][7]

David described her designs as bridging the divide between nature and abstraction: "'I’m inspired by animals and parts of animals, but I’m not trying to make critters. They’re abstract ... It’s a new totem pole look.'"[5]

References
  1. "Betty David Obituary". The Seattle Times. September 23, 2007. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  2. Phinney, Susan (January 19, 2005). "Designer streamlines a bulky wool coat with a sleek fit and stunning designs". Seattle PI. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  3. "Art of the West: Have You Heard About the Heard". HistoryNet. 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  4. "Go There". Los Angeles Times. 1996-12-12. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  5. Barger, Jennifer (October 20, 2006). "Styles: Totems to Tote Bags". Washington Post. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  6. "The American Indian Influence in Fashion" (PDF). The Indian Craft Shop and the Interior Museum. 2006.
  7. "Photos: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
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