Debbe Hamada, Designer
As a teenager, shopping for me meant hitting the thrift stores and discovering vintage clothing galore. The thrill came in putting together what I thought were some happening outfits made up of my found clothing and jewelry.
I grew up a huge fan all the classic movies from the 1940's and 50's, I also felt I was quite a stylin' punk rocker (at least for my town!). Combing these thrift stores let me put together combinations of clothes & jewelry that were unique to only me. My exploration of wearable art began at this time.
I went on to receive my B.A. from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City in the late 1980's. In the mid-1990's I began designing jewelry using the colors and shapes of glass beads. A few years later I began incorporating knotting and roping techniques that allowed me to connect the glass beads onto fiber. Once again, I felt I was creating something that was wearable: with a shape, color palette and style that was a representation of me.
I am fortunate to have grown up with a very artistic mother, who exposed me to a variety of art and crafts. She taught me how to card, spin, weave and knot wool into garments and wall hangings (yes, there were some owls!). I learned all forms of painting, drawing, sculpture, book and print making, paper craft, metalwork, basketry — you name it — as a child I was in that class. Growing up not just actively learning, but surrounded by visual and performing arts in my home instilled a creative drive into my identity.
As an adult artist myself, exposure to all forms of art continues to inspire and guide my work, as does the natural world around me.
I grew up a huge fan all the classic movies from the 1940's and 50's, I also felt I was quite a stylin' punk rocker (at least for my town!). Combing these thrift stores let me put together combinations of clothes & jewelry that were unique to only me. My exploration of wearable art began at this time.
I went on to receive my B.A. from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City in the late 1980's. In the mid-1990's I began designing jewelry using the colors and shapes of glass beads. A few years later I began incorporating knotting and roping techniques that allowed me to connect the glass beads onto fiber. Once again, I felt I was creating something that was wearable: with a shape, color palette and style that was a representation of me.
I am fortunate to have grown up with a very artistic mother, who exposed me to a variety of art and crafts. She taught me how to card, spin, weave and knot wool into garments and wall hangings (yes, there were some owls!). I learned all forms of painting, drawing, sculpture, book and print making, paper craft, metalwork, basketry — you name it — as a child I was in that class. Growing up not just actively learning, but surrounded by visual and performing arts in my home instilled a creative drive into my identity.
As an adult artist myself, exposure to all forms of art continues to inspire and guide my work, as does the natural world around me.