Seven Women in Design History

Women's History Month celebrates the invaluable contributions and achievements of women throughout history. In the realm of design, seven remarkable women stand out for their groundbreaking work and enduring influence. From the innovative designs of Lilly Reich to the iconic furniture creations of Ray Eames, these women have reshaped the landscape of design, inspiring generations with their creativity, vision, and resilience.

Tomoko Miho

Japanese-American graphic designer Tomoko Miho is celebrated for her understated yet impactful contributions to graphic design. She collaborated with Herman Miller during the late sixties and early seventies, contributing to books, catalogs, logos, showrooms, and architectural signage. She was awarded the AIGA Medal in 1993 and has her work on display in the MoMA.

Florence Knoll

Florence Knoll revolutionized modern corporate interiors in post-war America. With a background in architecture, she brought a holistic approach to office planning, transforming interior design from mere decoration—a field traditionally associated with women—into spatial architecture, a domain largely dominated by men at the time. Florence Knoll's enduring legacy not only reshaped corporate interiors and furniture design but also redefined the role of women in the design industry, cementing her status as a pioneering figure in 20th-century design history.

Ray Eames

Ray Eames stands as a pioneering American designer renowned for her multifaceted contributions across various mediums, including furniture, textiles, and architecture. Alongside her partner, Charles Eames, the duo achieved iconic status, particularly celebrated for their groundbreaking furniture pieces and the design of their own home.

While Charles often received more public recognition, he consistently underscored the collaborative nature of their work, emphasizing Ray's indispensable role in their creative endeavors and adamantly acknowledged Ray's significant contributions. Moreover, their partnership challenged prevailing assumptions about gender roles in husband-wife collaborations, debunking the notion that Ray was any less than an equal partner.

Lilly Reich

Lilly Reich emerges as a formative figure in the modern movement in post-war Europe. As a German architect and textile designer, Reich made significant strides in advancing modern design principles. She notably became the first female board member of the prestigious Deutscher Werkbund, a testament to her pioneering spirit and expertise.

Reich's collaboration with architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the Deutscher Werkbund led to the creation of iconic modern furniture designs, including the renowned Barcelona chair and Brno Chair. In 1932, van der Rohe appointed Reich as one of the Bauhaus's first female teachers.

Bonnie Cashin

Bonnie Cashin stands as a trailblazing figure in American fashion design, celebrated for her innovative approach that seamlessly blended modernist principles with artistic sensibilities. Rejecting the distortion of the female form, Cashin championed designing for real needs and activities, drawing inspiration from architecture to inform her creations. She viewed clothing and interior design as interconnected realms, often utilizing shared materials between her furniture and ready-to-wear pieces. In a bold move underscoring her alignment with modernist ideals, Cashin staged a fashion show in Herman Miller's New York showroom in 1958, showcasing her designs alongside iconic modernist furniture.

Through her visionary designs and unwavering commitment to merging artistry with functionality, Bonnie Cashin left an indelible mark on American fashion and design, cementing her legacy as a pioneering force of the twentieth century.

Eszter Haraszty

Eszter Haraszty is celebrated as a pivotal figure in the evolution of Knoll's textiles department, having served as its director following her tenure under Marianne Strengell. Haraszty was described by designer Lewis Butler as "a brilliant colorist and a rather flamboyant character.”

While Haraszty introduced several notable designs to the Knoll collection, including the iconic Knoll Stripe and Fibra, her true impact lay in her use of color. Renowned for her bold and unprecedented color combinations, she injected vibrancy and vitality into Knoll's projects, earning a reputation for her daring choices.

Eszter Haraszty's legacy endures as a testament to her visionary approach to color and design, leaving an indelible mark on Knoll's textiles program and shaping its aesthetic identity for generations to come.

Marianne Strengell

Marianne Strengell's journey into the world of design was deeply rooted in her upbringing, surrounded by the creative influence of her architect father and interior designer mother. Recognizing Strengell's exceptional talent for patterns, Florence Knoll tapped into her expertise by recruiting her as a consultant for Knoll's burgeoning textiles division.

She served as an invaluable resource for fellow designers, offering her expertise to solve technical challenges inherent in preparing patterns for mass production. Strengell's meticulous attention to detail ensured that every fabric introduced under the Knoll brand met the company's reputation for superior craftsmanship.

Marianne Strengell's legacy as a design consultant at Knoll remains a testament to her unwavering dedication to innovation, quality, and technical precision in the realm of textiles and design.