Dana Haim

Born and raised in Miami, FL to Colombian parents, Dana grew up surrounded by art and design. Her mother, a successful interior designer and artist, became Dana’s earliest inspiration, cultivating a deep love for the arts. From an early age, Dana’s family encouraged her creativity, helping her embrace her artistic expression and passion for design.

Dana’s formal education began at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, where she honed her skills in textile design. It was here that her natural talent for creating timeless, story-driven textiles emerged—pieces that elevate spaces and are built to last, to be passed down through generations. Her passion for weaving and textiles blossomed during her time at RISD and was further explored when she pursued her MA in Design for Textile Futures at Central Saint Martins in London. There, Dana focused on the preservation of craft in an increasingly digital age, writing her thesis on how traditional techniques can coexist and thrive in a modern world.

Today, Dana’s work reflects the rich blend of her upbringing, education, and a deep respect for heritage and craft.

works

  • Hanging on for Dear Life

    In our oceans today, over 171 trillion plastic particles are creating a phenomenon referred to as “plastic smog.” Alongside this, more than 16 million kilometers of fishing line—often known as "ghost gear"—continues to float, abandoned by the fishing industry. This ghost gear entangles and kills countless marine creatures, from turtles to dolphins, and even chokes majestic whale sharks. The wildlife our children cherish is in grave danger, and this problem is one that affects all of us. Recent studies have even found microplastics in human blood and lungs, signaling the alarming reality that we are now breathing in this pollution.

    For many, especially parents, this raises serious concerns about the future. The idea of raising children on a planet that is becoming uninhabitable was never part of the plan. The goal has always been to show the next generation the beauty and magic of the natural world—not to watch it unravel.

    In response, this body of work dives into themes of transformation, optimism, and the mental toll of navigating parenthood amidst environmental uncertainty. The process of repurposing materials, particularly salvaged fishing line and ropes collected from various parts of the world, is a personal and meditative act. By unraveling these ropes and weaving them into new forms, there is an attempt—however small—to address a massive issue. This act of upcycling is both a symbol of hope and a reminder of the potential for change. It’s about doing what can be done with what is available and finding healing in the process.

    Each piece represents an active commitment to addressing the crisis we face, and while it often feels like we are hanging on by a thread, that thread holds the possibility of survival. This work is not just about raising awareness, but also about the fragile balance we are trying to maintain in our efforts to preserve the world for future generations.

  • Hanging on for Dear Life

  • Hanging on for Dear Life

  • Hanging on for Dear Life

  • Hanging on for Dear Life

  • Hanging on for Dear Life

  • Hanging on for Dear Life