Introduction

Studio Weavers

A Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes

Designer and weaver Dorothy Liebes (1897–1972), who introduced handcraft and brilliant color to the modern interior, was among the most influential designers of the 20th century. This digital platform explores how the “Liebes Look”—which combined vivid color, lush texture, and often a glint of metallic—became inextricably linked with the American modern aesthetic. Choose a topic to explore her impact on mid-20th-century interiors, fashion, film, and industrial design, and meet some of the studio weavers who contributed to the success of the Dorothy Liebes Studio.

Your journey so far

All pages

Your journey so far

Dorothy Liebes

Studio Weavers

A Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes

Your journey so far

All pages

Unusual Occupations

About the Designer

Arts & Skills

Get to Know Dorothy Liebes

The “Mother of Modern Weaving”

Timeline

Argonaut

Lurex

Pretty Penny

SS Independence & SS Constitution

SS Santa Rosa & SS Santa Paula

SS United States

The Marco Polo Club

The Persian Room

Toss Pillows and TV Cushions

United Nations Delegates Dining Room

Doris Duke’s Shangri La

Frank Lloyd Wright

Samuel A. Marx

The Decorative Arts Display at the Golden Gate International Exposition

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel & SS Lurline

William Pahlmann

Anna Kang

Balbir Kaur

Daren Pierce

Dorr Bothwell

Emma Amos

Geraldine Funk

Glen Kaufman

Harry Soviak

Kamma Zethraus

Louise and Vanita Fong

Mary Walker Phillips

Nancy Kenealy

Ralph Higbee

Tammis Keefe

The Gift of Daren Pierce to the Smithsonian

“Kashmir” for Pomona Tile

American Airlines

Bigelow-Sanford Custom Carpets

Carol Stanley

Chrysler Plymouth Fury

DuPont Pavilion

Goodall Fabrics

Kenwood Blankets

United Wallpaper

Adam’s Rib

East Side, West Side

Souvenir de Paris

Bonnie Cashin’s Skirtings Inc.

Clare Potter

Gilbert Adrian

The Personal Jewelry Collection of Dorothy Liebes

Color

Glitter

Materials

Synthetic Material Identification in Dorothy Liebes Samples at Cooper Hewitt

Texture

Two Liebes Looms