“A Museum of Art, Fashion and Legacy,” says the brochure describing the Leiber Collection in the East Hampton hamlet of Springs, New York. Here, Judith Leiber’s iconic handbags are on display.
Judith Leiber (1921–2018), a Holocaust survivor, learned her trade in Budapest, before arriving in the United States. She created imaginative, luxurious handbags. From lavishly-beaded minaudieres to whimsical shapes like turtles and sea shells, her creations were sold at exclusive stores. Celebrities and First Ladies wore them. Today they are featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Below, are some of the photos inside the museum; however, the top right are my two handbags which I purchased more than 20 years ago. Note the peacock shaped minaudiere (lower right) because that is the last handbag Lieber designed. Today, there are a few designers and co-owners of the brand who continue the meticulous, beautiful designs and are available for purchase at upscale retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
The Leiber Collection also features the artwork of Judith’s husband Gus, a Brooklyn native and World WarII veteran. There is also a rotating exhibit of other artists as well. The setting of the museum is bucolic and zen-like.
For more information, email info@leibercollection.org
Motown Savvy 