David Spada was a jewelry designer in New York City in the 1980s and 1990s, and the creator and marketer of Freedom Rings.
10 Facts About David Spada
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David Spada attended Parsons School of Design in New York City, graduating around 1982.
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David Spada began making jewelry as a student, and his works were recognized as early as 1984, when a piece made from orange rubber tubing was highlighted in the New York Times.
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David Spada eventually opened a boutique, Casa di Spada, in New York's Lower East Side, which sold his jewelry designs, clothing and custom items; Spada's works were sold through other outlets.
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Independently and with his close friend Keith Haring, David Spada designed and fabricated several costumes, headdresses and accessories for Grace Jones that were worn by her in performances.
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David Spada collaborated with designer Patrick Kelly on a jewelry line for Kelly's 1986 collection.
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David Spada worked with Kelly on one of the designer's most famous couture works, a 1986 Josephine Baker-inspired banana skirt and top originally modeled by Pat Cleveland, now in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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David Spada designed the jewelry and accessories for the movie Vamp in 1986.
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In 1991, David Spada developed Freedom Rings, sets of six aluminum rings in colors based on the gay pride flag that he described as symbolizing happiness and representing the diversity of the gay community.
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David Spada became especially known for his work in colored anodized aluminum, crafting a wide array of forms from the material, ranging from rings and earrings to clothing and swimwear embellished with aluminum decoration.