Vintage FYI: Vera Neuman


“Color sings to me.

 Color is such a marvelous way of expressing emotion. 
 We have so many problems in this world;
 color just brings a little bit of joy into our lives.”
– Vera Neumann

This week’s Vintage FYI post is by Pam from 1006Osage
This scarf started my love affair with “all-things Vera.” I bought it over 20 years ago from a thrift store. At the time, the gorgeous spring design and fabulous colors spoke to me, but I didn’t know a thing about the little signature in the corner. It would be years later until I researched the “Vera” name and learned about this incredible female designer and marketer working in the mid to late twentieth century.

Vera was born in 1907, and was fortunate to have parents and teachers who encouraged her artistic endeavors at an early age. She went on to study art and design in college and began her solo professional life doing book illustration and mural work.

Vera married George Neumann, a man with family ties in the textile industry. In the early 1940s, they started their first company, Printext, from their home using a tabletop screen printing press. Their early products were primarily table linens. Her foray into scarf design was a happy accident. Linen became difficult for their company to obtain after the war, so they began working with parachute silk. The simple scarf allowed her to continue to work with smaller items, but satisfied one of her goals: providing affordable art for the masses.

Over the years, Vera’s name became associated with many large companies including F. Schumacher & Co, for whom she designed fabric and wallpaper; as well as Mikasa, where her designs adorned serviceware and china. Her signature, along with her ladybug symbol, became known worldwide.

Vintage Vera napkins with ladybug from CoconutRoad

Vera died in 1993, but her designs live on. The Vera Company continues to manufacture and market her designs. Vintage Vera is a favorite collectible. Her signature scarves are always popular, as are linens, dishware, and even clothing. 
Vintage Vera Neumann blouse and hat by judygovintage
Vera’s designs were diverse. She drew inspiration from so many sources including her travels, science, architecture, nature, and pop art. Many years have passed since I purchased that first scarf. Today my closet includes many Vera scarves, each one an incredible piece of art.

For more information on Vera Neumann-

Overall history and tips for dating Vera items:
http://theveracompany.tumblr.com/post/8733111432/when-was-my-vera-scarf-made

Great slide show on Vera and her design inspirations http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/vera-neumann_n_1018007.html

Book about Vera Neumann
“Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon” by Susan Seid (Abrams; Thames & Hudson)
Vintage Vera scarf by PopFizzVintage

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