Leser, Tina, 1910-1986 (1910-1986)

Dates

• Existence: 1910-1986

Biography

Tina Leser was born Christine Wetherill Shillard-Smith on December 12, 1910 in Philadelphia. Leser studied art first at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the School of Industrial Arts in before moving to Paris to continue her studies at the Sorbonne. Leser's love of non-western textiles and patterns stemmed from her travels as a young woman. She and her family moved to Hawaii in 1931. Four years later, she opened her first store, selling ready-to-wear sportswear and play clothes with Polynesian textiles. Early Leser designs featured hand painted motifs on such unusual fabrics as sail cloth and "paluke." In 1940, she moved back to mainland United States and formed her own firm in New York. It took three years for her name to gain recognition, finally achieving it when she began designing for Edwin H. Foreman's sportswear company where she remained for 10 years. Throughout WWII, Leser worked with fabric shortages, relying on Central and South American textiles for inspiration. In 1944 she received the Fashion Critics Award, and the following year she received both the Neiman Marcus and Coty Awards. In 1964 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the Moore Institute of Arts.

After marrying her second husband, James J. Howley, in 1948, the newlyweds went on a around-the-world honeymoon, which essentially became a textile sourcing trip for the designer. Leser founded her own company, Tina Leser Inc., in 1952. She remained in control of her business until 1964 when she retired. Two years later, however, she returned to fashion to show a collection of dresses, coats, and suits made out of Indian textiles. She continued to design throughout the 60s and 70s. Leser's most popular designs were her matching bathing suits and cover-ups. In 1982, Leser retired again. Four years later, in January 1986, Leser passed away at the age of 75.

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