Helen David


Helen David is an English fashion designer and artist working in London, with an interest in both local and global culture.

Early life and education

Helen David was born in Brighton, East Sussex, but moved to London soon after completing her A-levels. She gained a first-class honours degree at Camberwell College of Arts, where she studied textiles and fine art print-making. She then went on to study fashion as a post-graduate at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. In this time Helen developed a keen interest in London Underground culture of the 80's, as such she spent time in places such as the Blitz Club, where the New Romantic styling that she is well known for was born.

Career

In 1983 David founded the design label English Eccentrics along with her sister, Judy Purbeck, and fellow designer, Claire Angel. The fashion house specialised in hand-printed and hand-embroidered evening wear and scarves. As a part of the global extension of London fashion Helen took part in "London Goes to Tokyo" event organised by Susanne Bartsch, a show intended to broaden the reach of British designers. She has also designed hosiery for Sophie Mirman's "Sock Shop", under the English Eccentrics name. Whilst developing English Eccentrics, in 2001 she took time away from the business to concentrate full-time on art. 'Friends and Icons' was David's first one-woman art exhibition, curated by Laura Parker-Bowles.
After a time in the arts David returned to reestablishing her attention to English Eccentrics in 2006. She now works out of a studio in Kings Cross, London, creating both fashion and art based on various subject matters.
David's fashion/textile work is now part of permanent collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of London and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Books