 Judith Peto (Leiber) was a Jew who escaped the Holocaust by escaping to the Swiss house as soon as her father secured a Swiss schutzpass, a document that gave its bearer the right of safe passage into Switzerland. She was the first woman who was permitted to join the handbag-makers guild in Budapest. Following the war she began making handbags, first in her home and later a friend had a small factory that she was permitted to use. In 1948 she came to the United States after marrying an American soldier.
Leiber worked for other companies designing handbags before starting her own business in 1963. It wasn't long before she was able to brand herself as an industry leader when it came to being creative and innovative with high-class fashion. She sells her creations at exclusive shops around the world, and though they cost several thousand dollars, they are a status symbol for many women. The Presidential First Ladies are especially likely to carry one of Leiber's creations to one of the many formal affairs or presidential gatherings.
Leiber received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994 from the Council of Fashion Designers, an award that she justly deserves. Some of her work is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England. The boutiques that carry Leiber's designs are exclusive since there are only five in the entire United States: Atlanta, Las Vegas (2 shops), Orange County, and New York City. She may have retired in 1998, but her designs are still alive and well.
When Leiber began designing her handbags, they were not for the average consumer but for those who wanted something exclusive and of very high quality and were willing to pay the price. For those of means, Leiber's line gives you what you want for every occasion, casual, business, or formal. For over forty years her designs have passed the test of time. The quality that goes into the designs makes tem well worth the price of the product. Her prices, of course, show that she caters to the customer who is interested in an exclusive product, In spite of the price, the designs are appropriate for anyone of any status.
The important thing to know is that every design includes a rare combination of elegance and style with perfect detailing. She gathers her inspiration from various sources. Take her legendary crystal evening bags. When she had ordered a gift for a friend and the polished metal of it was scratched, she used some crystals to cover the imperfections. Today it is commonplace to add crystals and additional skins to enhance the design of a handbag. Of course, art rather than fashion has always been the basis of Leiber creations, and is the glue that contributes to their continued popularity. The artistic designs make them a continuing feature at many fine art galleries throughout the United States as well as London.
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