NEW YORK: The legendary American handbag designer ‘Judith Leiber’ died on Saturday in her home in New York. The late designer has created magical creations in handbag designs throughout her lifetime.
The designer died just hours after the death of her husband of 72 years, Gerson Leiber, also aged 97. Both Leiber died of natural causes at their home.
Leiber is famous for her crystal minaudières, evening purses made of a metal shell often encrusted with Swarovski crystals, plated with silver or gold and with various forms, such as baby pigs, slices of watermelon, cupcakes, peacocks, penguins, and snakes.
In 2005, The Leiber Collection Museum opened in East Hampton, New York. Space showcases both the works of Judith and Gerson Leiber, who was an abstract painter. The grounds, which include six acres of ornate sculptural gardens, display many of Leiber’s most luxurious handbags from the past several decades—many of which sold for upwards of $4,000 and $5,000.
Throughout her career, Ms. Leiber was often asked if she ever carried handbags other than her own. Her reply to such question was: “I either carry my own or a paper bag,” she would say, “and I won’t carry a paper bag, so you figure it out.” Rest in peace Leiber, you will be missed.
