Brilliant by Design

A magnificent look at the storied life and career of one of the most influential handbag designers of the twentieth century

Judith Leiber (1921–2018) was a Hungarian American designer born to a Jewish family in Budapest. Following the outbreak of World War II, she joined the handbag guild as its first and only female member and worked her way up from apprentice to master. After moving to the United States in 1946, Leiber worked for several handbag manufacturers before establishing her own storefront in New York in 1963. There, she experimented with leather and metal and began producing her iconic and highly collectable minaudières. Her handbags have accessorized high-profile women from Greta Garbo and Diana Ross to Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton, and continue to remain popular with celebrities such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rihanna.

Offering a serious look at Leiber’s innovative designs, inspirations, and success in a male-dominated industry, this volume features more than one hundred purses and accessories, as well as previously unpublished archival photography. With a comprehensive biography by Bridget Kerr, contributions by scholars Hilary Davidson and Annie Carlano, and an afterword by designer Olympia Le-Tan, Brilliant by Design examines Leiber’s significant contributions to handbag design history and her ongoing cultural legacy.

Published in association with the Mint Museum

Exhibition Schedule:

The Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
(October 24, 2026–July 2027)