Virginia Louise Akin
DALI MAMA TEXTILE ARTIST
Bio
From my earliest days, I have loved Ancient and Primitive Art, Anthropology and Archeaology. I had the good fortune to study these subjects at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
My love for patterns and draping, exquisite fabrics and trims led me into a career in fashion. I studied Fashion Design and pattern making at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. In my final year of study, I was given their coveted "Gold Thimble" Award for my evening wear design. Upon graduation, I worked for and with many wonderful people including Tadashi Shoji, Kathryn Urso and Cole-Catalina Swim Wear.
When I thought about creating my own line, our daughter gave me my creative name: "Dali Mama". I could readily create design and pattern, but the fabrics I longed for existed only in my imagination. After twenty-five years of independent study and experimentation, the beauty of ancient textiles and the richness of color and pattern found in, so called, primitive art still inspires me. Everything I have loved has led me here. I live and create in Joshua Tree, California.
