Leiber, Judith (1921-2018)
Dates
- Existence: 1921-2018
Biography
Judith Leiber was a designer of high-end handbags. She was born on January 11, 1921 in Budapest, Hungary to a wealthy family. She apprenticed herself to an artisan guild where she mastered handbag design and construction. After surviving persecution during WWII, Leiber moved to New York in 1947 with her new husband, Brooklyn native Gerson (Gus) Leiber. In the U.S. Judith Leiber started working for handbag manufacturers. In 1963, her husband encouraged her to start her own company, which she did. She is perhaps most known for her crystal minaudières bags, a favorite of celebrities and First Ladies. Her elaborate, colorful, meticulously constructed designs sold internationally to an elite clientele for as much as $4,000. The company "Time Products, London" purchased Leiber’s firm in 1993. She stayed on as president and designer until 1998 when she retired. The company still produces luxury handbags and has boutiques in department stores and stand-alone shops in New York. Leiber was the first handbag designer to be awarded the Coty American Fashion Critics Award in 1973. Leiber passed away on April 28, 2018.
Places
Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:
April 26-27, 1997, 1997
This folder contains a column on Judith Leiber and color and black and white photos of accessories by Leiber, promotional materials and 8x10" negatives.
August 17-18, 1996, 1996
This folder contains a column on Judith Leiber and color photos of handbags by Leiber and black and white photocopies of handbags by Leiber.
December 18-19, 1993, 1993
This folder contains a column on Judith Leiber black and white portraits of Leiber and photos of her handbag designs.
February 14-15, 1998, 1998
This folder contains a column on Judith Leiber and color photos of handbags by Leiber and press clippings.
Judith Leiber, 1973, 1973
This folder contain a biography of handbag designer Judith Leiber from 1973.
Judith Leiber interview, 1982 October 26, 1982 October 26
The Oral History Project of the Fashion Industries began informally in the late 1970s, and was officially funded by a grant from the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries beginning in 1981. The project was guided by an industry advisory committee chaired by Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, Jr., and was largely guided by then director of the Gladys Marcus Library at FIT, John Touhey.
Judith Leiber records, 1999-2000
Collection of photographs, invitations to a press review of an FIT exhibition, press releases, photocopied articles about Leiber's handbags, two rough pencil sketches, one diagram in ink on tracing paper, and a finished illustration of Leiber's "chatelaine minaudiere."
June 15-16, 1996, 1996
This folder contains a column on handbags and a color photo of Kelly bags by Hermès and black and white photocopies of photos of handbags by Mark Cross, Coach, Judith Leiber and Azzedine Alaia for Louis Vuitton.
November 19-20, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column on handbags and black and white photocopies of handbags by De Vecchi, Carlos Falchi, Joan and David, Barry Keiselstein-Cord, Tiffany & Co., Judith Leiber and a black and white portrait of Leiber with a selection of her bags.
September 23-24, 1995, 1995
This folder contains a column on accessories and color photos of accessories by Paloma Picasso, Judith Leiber, Cartier and black and white photocopies of photos of wigs by Karl Lagerfeld and shoes by Joan & David.