THE YEAR 2006 MARKS 20 YEARS ANNIVERSARY FOR DOROTHY GRANT, HAIDA FASHION DESIGNER AND ARTIST.  IS WAS 1986, DURING EXPO 86, THAT GRANT MADE HER FIRST FEASTWEAR GARMENT, CALLED “RAVEN CREATION TUNIC”.  IT WAS WORN AT A FEAST STAGED DURING HAIDA WEEK, IN THE BIG HOUSE AT THE EXPO SITE.  THAT GARMENT WAS LATER PURCHASED BY THE MUSEUM OF CIVILIZATION FOR THEIR PERMANENT COLLECTION, WHERE IT IS ON DISPLAY IN THE FIRST PEOPLES EXHIBIT. 

 It is difficult to sum up 20 years of memories in a few words, and even hard to believe it has been 20 years of designing clothing.  I can talk about the feelings of arriving at this place, and it is one of fulfillment and pride.  I started out with a strong vision to bring awareness of the elegance of Haida art, and to showcase it with style on the body.

And that vision is still maintained  today with what I design.
 I hope you will see that in my new collection of coats for 2006/07.   Back in 1986 we talked among ourselves as artist and we established a believe that all good art must evolve and keep moving, and not remain stoic in time.  However the classical shapes of the artform have always remained according to Haida form line rules. The artist of today has maintained that respect for our ancient art.   We here in Vancouver British Columbia  were  privileged to see  that evident in the show at the Vancouver Art Gallery this past summer 2006, called  “Raven Traveling”.  It was a showcase exhibit of  200 years of Haida art, including the top contemporary living Haida artist.  This exhibit renewed so much in me, as I went back several times to take in the exhibit.  The exhibit closed in September of 2006, for a one time showing in Vancouver.   T he book “Raven Traveling, 200 years of Haida art”,  is a powerful statement  of essays and photos, can still be found  at the VAG, Publisher Douglas and McIntyre.

It has been a good year for First nations art in museums here in Vancouver.  Vancouver Museum in vanier park is hosting the  “Totems to Turquoise “    exhibit until March 27, 2007.  It is a powerful exhibit of Northwest Coast Native art jewelers, and South West American Native art jewelers and their profoundly beautiful works of art.  It is about bodily adornment and the elegance of the art with skillful masters of jewelry techniques.  These Canadian Native and South West  artist speak from their cultural esthetics, as is also shown in their beautiful works on exhibit.  

I was also privileged to celebrate my 20 years as a showcase designer in Torino Italy in February, of this year.  Along with 8 British Columbia fashion designers we had a fabulous fashion show at British Columbia House in downtown Torino, during the winter Olympics.  We represented  “the Best of the West”, series of shows that show cased BC businesses.  It was a fantastic learning lesson,  as we head toward venturing to do more business with other countries  for our games in 2010.  Going to Italy was truly  inspirational  for me,  as I move forward in business in 2007.  I was treated visually to the beauty of Lake Como, and  was able to tour two silk and cashmere factories there.  I look forward to the next few years as  I shall be planning my product line to reach a broader audience.   I endeavor to maintain my vision of sharing with other cultures the beauty of Haida Art thru classical and elegant design.

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