Laura L. Levinson
Leaders Council Member; Chief Creative Officer, Valdese Weavers, LLC.
Bio
Laura Lambie Levinson is the Chief Creative Officer for Valdese Weavers, Circa 1801, and Home Fabrics. Laura started with the company in 1990 after earning her degree in Environmental Design with a concentration in Textiles from North Carolina State University/College of Design. In 1995 Laura received a Master of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design with a concentration in Jacquard design.
Laura moved to New York City in 1995 where she established a design studio for Valdese Weavers within their New York sales office. During her tenure in NYC, Laura became the first female Vice President in the history of Valdese Weavers.
Laura moved back to North Carolina in 2001 and manages a staff of over 50 associates that work on all brands, since the acquisition of Circa 1801 in 2007. Valdese Weavers and its brands create and manufacture fabric for jobbers, furniture manufacturers, contract jobbers and OEM customers.
Laura is dedicated to teaching and training fabric design from an art and business perspective. She was a runner-up for WITHIT’s Young Leadership Award and is a member of the Philadelphia University Textile Board. Laura is also very proud and passionate about her work with a domestic manufacturer that provides hundreds of jobs for rural Western North Carolina.
Motivation to serve on Leaders Council:
The Art + Design degree was life changing for me in figuring out a path that matched my talents. I continue to stay in touch with professors and classmates from this experience. With technology changing rapidly I am interested in sharing my industry perspective and learning about your curriculum changes.
Design Philosophy:
My 26 years as a textile leader has given me a unique perspective to collaborate with sales and manufacturing. I believe in a business element being added to the practice of design. Textiles especially is a dying art that I am committed to preserving. I also believe in promoting women in our industry and hope to craft a legacy that leaves an easier path for young design textiles designers entering the work force.