About Lillian August

Lillian August has seen meteoric success with her designs. Her career has taken her from fine arts to internationally acclaimed textile designer to a major force in American furniture design. With so man players in the marketplace, what makes Lillian’s work rise above the rest is not only her gift as an artist, but her unique perspective on design.

In 1985, August moved to New York to build on her early success designing wallcoverings for Imperial. Those bestselling collections lead to international licensing programs in all areas of home fashion products, including an extensive bed linen and towel program for Dan River and other major textile programs. Lillian’s entré into furniture licensing began in 1992 when Ralph Lauren moved his license to Henredon, leaving an opportunity at his prior manufacturing company.

The tremendous success of that introduction established the Lillian August Collection in the forefront of American furniture design. Over the next few years August moved deeper into the luxury market, expanding on her furniture designs at Drexel Heritage, adding casegoods and accessories and continuing to design extensive textile collections. Much of Lillian’s tremendous success is attributed to her design philosophy. “I approach all of my design collections from the same vantage point. I strive for artistry, taste and style in my work. It is my task to be as creative as possible…to respect the inspirations from the past, but design new interpretations for today’s style-conscious consumers.”

As always, Lillian maintains her signature look of fine antiques in her traditional designs, but always finds ways to keep her collection new and interesting. “As I was designing my latest collection, I felt the spirit of classic English tailoring, and I love where it took me…down a lovely road of tweeds and herringbone, soft velvets and creamy silks. The finished products, while timeless, are perfect examples of how to reinterpret the classics with vitality,” says Lillian.

Today, August serves as director of licensed designs for the Lillian August brand. Her award winning signature collections are sold internationally. Lillian August Designs, Inc. is a successful family business which her sons, Dan Weiss, President, and John Weiss, COO, have expanded into furniture retail with five premier home furnishings and interior design stores in the Northeast.

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