Judith Leiber interview, 1982 October 26, 1982 October 26
Scope and Contents
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.
Dates
- Creation: 1982 October 26
Creator
- Leiber, Judith (1921-2018) (Person)
- Finger, Mildred (1924-1995) (Person)
Language of Materials
English Latin
Conditions Governing Access
Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive. If you have any questions, or wish to schedule an appointment contact us at [email protected] or call (212) 217-4385.
The contents of this collection are also available to the public via our Archive on Demand repository: https://archiveondemand.fitnyc.edu/items/browse?collection=22
Biographical / Historical
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.
Biographical / Historical
"Mildred Finger Haines ... helped shape fashion tastes for four decades as a top buyer for department stores and a consultant to clothes makers and retailers.... From the late 1940's through the late 1960's, Mrs. Haines, known throughout her career as Mildred Finger, was a buyer of ready-to-wear at Macy's, Ohrbach's and Bergdorf Goodman, and was one of New York City's most often cited taste makers. At Bergdorf's, in particular, she was noted for bringing European styles to American consumers. She later became Vice President of Charles of the Ritz, headed fashion merchandising for Yves St. Laurent and became an independent consultant, with clients like the Limited and Arthur D. Little. Suffering from multiple sclerosis, she retired in 1986. In succeeding years, she frequently contributed her knowledge of the fashion industry to the oral history projects of the American Jewish Committee and the Fashion Institute of Technology...." New York Times Obituary, 1995
Full Extent
From the Sub-Group: 1 placeholder
Physical Description
Original media: 1 audio cassette
General
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.
General
"Mildred Finger Haines ... helped shape fashion tastes for four decades as a top buyer for department stores and a consultant to clothes makers and retailers.... From the late 1940's through the late 1960's, Mrs. Haines, known throughout her career as Mildred Finger, was a buyer of ready-to-wear at Macy's, Ohrbach's and Bergdorf Goodman, and was one of New York City's most often cited taste makers. At Bergdorf's, in particular, she was noted for bringing European styles to American consumers. She later became Vice President of Charles of the Ritz, headed fashion merchandising for Yves St. Laurent and became an independent consultant, with clients like the Limited and Arthur D. Little. Suffering from multiple sclerosis, she retired in 1986. In succeeding years, she frequently contributed her knowledge of the fashion industry to the oral history projects of the American Jewish Committee and the Fashion Institute of Technology...." New York Times Obituary, 1995
General
Published
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository