Judith Leiber: Master Craftsman tells the story of a fearless woman ahead of her time. Madonna, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Sarah Jessica Parker, JLo, and Blake Lively are just a handful of the of A-list fans of Judith Leiber evening bags. The great, late designer (Leiber passed away in 2018) made handbags go viral—on the red carpet and off—long before social media even existed. Leiber’s innovative style is immortalized by her beloved animal and food themed minaudières. Bold, bright crystal-covered animals, desserts, and produce are among the quirky designs that have graced the arms of royals, first ladies, socialites and fashionistas for decades.
Among her many awards, Judith received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1994. Today, her handbags are included in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Smithsonian Institution, The Victoria and Albert Museum and many other collections worldwide.
This exhibition honors the Holocaust survivor-turned-mega-designer’s life, work and legacy and will feature photographs of Leiber alongside a comprehensive selection of Judith Leiber’s bags, belts, pillboxes and glasses, from collectors in Florida as well as from The Leiber Collection.
