Linda Daly, artist-designer and longtime former Pratt Institute faculty member, passed away on January 21, 2021. Professor Daly taught at the Institute from 1973 to 2010, in the Associate Degree program (Textile Department) for four years and in the Fashion Department throughout her time at Pratt. In the remembrance below, Rose Mary De Pasquale, former coordinator of Pratt’s Integrative Mind and Body Program and former professor and chair of the Fashion department, honors her former colleague and friend.
Professor Daly taught “Textures” and “Screen Printing” within Pratt Institute’s Fashion Department from 1973 through 2003, and also held classes for Pratt students in her studio from 2003 through 2005. Students loved her style of teaching and considered that her creative and eccentric personality inspired them to find their own unique artistic style. She loved teaching and watching her students’ creativity flourish. In her own words: “My teaching goal is to allow my students to have fun and excitement while creating their own designs in a modern screen printing environment. Emphasis is on experimentation and originality.”
Linda was born in Irvington, New Jersey on March 23, 1943 to the late Rose Goldberg O’Desky and Edward O’Desky. She is pre-deceased by her sister Marilyn Kaplowitz and her brother Sheldon O’Desky, and is survived by her nieces Susan, Lynn, and Ilyse; nephews Raymond and Howard; and their children.
She graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey in 1960, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Newark State College in 1964, and was awarded a full scholarship for a Master in Fine Arts Degree by the Institute Allendo of the University of Guanajusto in San Miguel, Mexico and graduated in 1967. She went on leave from her doctoral studies at Columbia University to open an Atelier in 1970 entitled Designs by Linda and then later changed the business name in 1973 to Fibre–Concepts.
It was from 1973 on where her entrepreneurship flourished under her company, Fibre–Concepts. She was commissioned to design visuals for anything from holiday windows to six-foot birthday cakes for W Magazine’s 20th anniversary at Barney’s NYC! She was commissioned as visual designer for Bonwit Teller, Henri Bendel, Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo, Missoni, Goldsmith Brothers, MCM, Steuben Glass, and the Aveda store on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
We mourn and celebrate the life of this talented, creative, and thoughtful woman who dedicated her life to her art, her students, and to the institute she worked in. As many who knew her would mention, she was “one of a kind,” an animal lover and a helper to those less fortunate. In our last conversation, Linda expressed that she felt her life was full circle, that she accomplished all she wanted and was very content.
Linda has truly been an inspiration to all who crossed her path. Her energy and talent live on in each of her students, colleagues, friends, and family.