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Vera Neumann, (1907 – 1993), was a trailblazer in licensing, among the first American designers to expand her brand through strategic partnerships. Recognizing the power of collaboration, she licensed her bold, joyful designs to major retailers and manufacturers, making her art accessible across fashion, home décor, and beyond.
From scarves to bedding, wallpaper to apparel, Vera’s licensing model helped build a vast empire, ensuring her vision of livable art reached millions. Today, we continue her legacy, partnering with brands that share her passion for color, creativity, and innovation, bringing Vera’s timeless designs to new generations.
In February 2012, Anthropologie launched an exciting collaboration with Vera, celebrating the late artist's vibrant legacy. Vera's designs from the 1960s were reimagined across a range of products, including apparel, home décor, and accessories. The We❤️Vera collection aimed to make fine art both livable and wearable, reflecting Vera's pioneering spirit in making art accessible to the masses. Items such as the Confetti Midi Dress, adorned with festive motifs, and the Handwoven Fresh Peaches Rug, featuring a grove of ripe peaches, exemplified the seamless integration of art into everyday life. Anthropologie's Senior Design Manager, Julie Gwin, noted that Vera's passion for art and belief in its everyday applicability resonated deeply with Anthropologie's ethos, making this collaboration a harmonious blend of past and present design.
In the late 1970s, Burlington Home partnered with Vera to bring her signature artistic vision into American households through a collection of bedding and home textiles. Vera’s designs transformed ordinary bedrooms into lively, art-filled sanctuaries. This collaboration introduced bedspreads, sheets, pillowcases, and drapery featuring her iconic floral, geometric, and abstract motifs, seamlessly blending fine art with everyday living. Vera’s partnership with Burlington Home was pivotal in making her designs even more accessible, allowing her joyful aesthetic to reach a broader audience. The collection became a staple in department stores across the country, reinforcing Vera’s belief that art should be a part of daily life—not just something to admire, but something to live with.
In 2016, Clinique honored the legacy of Ver, a trailblazer in art and design, by releasing limited-edition makeup bags adorned
with her iconic patterns. These bags, exclusive to Macy's, featured vibrant motifs such as poppies, watermelons, butterflies,
and sunflowers, capturing Vera's belief that "color brings just a little bit of joy into our lives." Each design was complemented by
Clinique compacts embellished with Vera's signature ladybug, symbolizing good luck and happiness. This collaboration seamlessly blended Clinique's commitment to beauty with Vera's mission to make art accessible in everyday life.
In 2012, Crate & Barrel collaborated with Vera to reintroduce her vibrant designs through a limited collection of dish towels. This
exclusive release featured three distinct patterns—"Insalata," "Canning," and "By the Pint," each showcasing Vera's signature bold colors and whimsical motifs. The "Insalata" design, for instance, depicted a lively assortment of salad ingredients, reflecting her ability to transform everyday themes into captivating art. The 100% cotton towels made Vera's timeless aesthetics accessible to a new generation of home enthusiasts. This collaboration not only honored Vera's legacy but also aligned seamlessly with Crate & Barrel's commitment to offering thoughtfully designed, high-quality home goods.
MAC Cosmetics honored the legacy of Vera by launching a limited-edition makeup collection inspired by her iconic designs. The collaboration featured vibrant butterflies, flashy florals, and geometric graphics, reflecting Vera's signature style. A standout item was the Pearlmatte Face Powder, which incorporated Vera's signature ladybug motif, symbolizing good luck. This collection seamlessly blended MAC's innovative approach to beauty with Vera's artistic vision, offering makeup enthusiasts a chance to experience the fusion of cosmetics and art.
In the 1970s, Vera collaborated with Mikasa, a prominent Japanese tableware company, to create a series of dinnerware patterns that
seamlessly blended art with everyday dining. One of the standout designs from this partnership was the Poppy pattern, celebrated for its vibrant red poppy motifs that added a touch of nature-inspired elegance to dining settings. This pattern became one of Mikasa's most popular offerings during that era.
Another notable design was the Marigolds pattern, featuring bold orange marigold illustrations that reflected Neumann's signature style of incorporating natural elements. These collaborations exemplified Neumann's philosophy of making art accessible and functional, allowing consumers to enjoy artistic designs in their daily lives through beautifully crafted dinnerware.
Today, these vintage Vera Neumann for Mikasa pieces are cherished by collectors and enthusiasts, serving as enduring symbols of the successful fusion between mid-century art and functional design.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's store introduced a collection of products featuring Vera's iconic designs, including apparel and accessories. This collaboration aimed to celebrate Vera's legacy by making her vibrant patterns accessible to museum visitors and design enthusiasts alike. The collection included items such as totes inspired by her original artworks, allowing customers to incorporate her timeless designs into their everyday lives.
In 2019, Schumacher revived its 70-year collaboration with Vera by launching a new collection of fabrics and wallpapers that reintroduced her iconic designs to contemporary interiors. This collection featured 11 fabrics and 3 wallpapers, showcasing Vera's signature vibrant colors and bold patterns. Notable designs included "Lemonade," a playful citrus motif available in both fabric and wallpaper, and "Wild Things," a stylized botanical pattern reflecting her affinity for nature. Schumacher's creative director, Dara Caponigro, noted that these designs "simply make you smile," highlighting their timeless appeal. This collaboration not only honored Neumann's legacy but also made her joyful aesthetic accessible to a new generation of design enthusiasts.
In April 2013, Target collaborated with Vera to launch an exclusive collection. This limited-time collection featured 17 products, including scarves, totes, and home décor items, all adorned with Vera's signature bold patterns and cheerful motifs. Each piece prominently displayed her iconic signature and ladybug emblem, symbolizing good luck. The collection aimed to make Vera's timeless designs accessible to a new generation, allowing customers to incorporate her art into their everyday lives. The line was available at most Target stores and online from April
28 through June 23, 2013, or while supplies lasted.