Charlotte is about to get a lot more sparkle. Brilliant by Design: The Handbags of Judith Leiber opens Saturday, October 24, at Mint Museum Randolph, bringing together more than 100 handbags and accessories that celebrate one of fashion’s most imaginative designers. The exhibition runs through July 3, 2027, at the museum’s Eastover home, 2730 Randolph Road.
Leiber turned the evening bag into a wearable work of art. Her jewel-covered minaudières, playful animal shapes and architecture-inspired designs became symbols of glamour, carried by First Ladies including Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, and by stars such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Look for rare pieces made from an actual shell, designs inspired by Tiffany mosaic ceilings, and the crystal-covered pink rotary-telephone bag pictured here, presented alongside fashions from the Mint’s own collection.
Behind the sparkle is an inspiring life story. Born in Budapest in 1921, Leiber trained in handbag making, survived the Holocaust, and arrived in the United States in 1947. After more than a decade perfecting her craft, she launched her own company in 1963 and led it until 1998, reshaping luxury fashion with perseverance and invention.
Curated by fashion fellow Bridget Kerr, who also wrote the exhibition’s richly illustrated companion book, the show opens with a free curator conversation on October 23 and a Party in the Park on October 25 celebrating the Mint’s 90th anniversary. Admission is free for members and visitors 18 and younger, so gather someone who loves design and come see the brilliance up close.
Photo: The Mint Museum
