As part of The Design Library's commitment to providing diverse and exciting design offerings to our clients, we are proud to feature a collection of handwoven pieces by Dorothy Liebes.
American textile designer, weaver, and color authority Dorothy Liebes (1897–1972) had a profound influence across design fields, helping to shape American tastes in areas from interiors and transportation to industrial design, fashion, and film. The “Liebes Look”—which combined vivid color, lush texture, and often a glint of metallic—became inextricably linked with the American modern aesthetic. (Excerpted from Cooper Hewitt’s Exhibition Description)
Ms. Liebes was particularly passionate about Lurex, a synthetic metallic yarn new to the weaving scene in the 1940’s. Finding it both “beautiful and high-performing,” she experimented with this material and successfully incorporated it into commercial applications such as automobile upholstery, drapes and grass-cloth wall coverings. She was considered "modern fashion's secret weapon" having worked with fashion designers such as Bonnie Cashin and countless costume designers to make “shimmering” skirting, swimwear, handbags and shoes. The list of Ms. Liebes’ collaborators is extensive and speaks to her significant role in shaping the character of midcentury design and fashion in America.
Currently exhibited at the Cooper Hewitt Museum in NYC, A Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes is an extensive look at her wide range of work.
The exhibition is on view until February 4, 2024. Details can be found here.
The Design Library houses a large collection of Liebes’ one-of-a-kind handwoven works. Each design, unique in composition, material and color, showcases her signature style as well as her inventive blending of traditional and cutting-edge synthetic materials.
To make an appointment to view this signature collection and more, please contact:
London
Kate Denham kdenham@design-library.com
or
New York
Richard Weissman rweissman@design-library.com