Mary Bright facts for kids

Mary Bright (born January 11, 1954, died November 29, 2002) was a talented designer from Scotland. She was best known for creating unique and artistic curtains. Mary started her career with a short training period at the famous Lanvin fashion house in Paris.

In 1979, she moved to New York City. There, she first worked as a hat maker and also designed clothes. By 1983, Mary Bright opened her own studio, Mary Bright Inc. She began designing curtains that were truly special. Many famous architects and celebrities became her clients. Mary also helped design exhibitions, making spaces look amazing. She loved to experiment with unusual materials like corrugated paper, rubber, and fine metal meshes. She also used classic fabrics like linen and wool in new ways.

Mary Bright's Life Story

Mary Bright was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on January 11, 1954. Her father was a family doctor. Mary studied fine arts in London. Later, she learned about fashion and making hats in Leeds. Even though she didn't formally train as a designer, she learned a lot.

She had a brief apprenticeship at the Lanvin fashion house in Paris. There, she learned important secrets about making hats. She also sewed men's hats at a place called Gelot. In 1979, Mary moved to the East Village in New York City. She continued making hats and learned about making clothes. She even designed a special cocktail dress with a unique back that looked like window blinds.

Starting Her Curtain Design Business

In 1983, Mary Bright started her own curtain design studio. It was called Mary Bright Inc. and was located in lower Broadway, New York. One of her first big projects was designing a 60-foot curtain for the actress Ellen Barkin.

Soon, Mary became very popular. She often worked with leading architects and interior designers in New York. Her clients included famous people like Lauren Bacall, Calvin Klein, and Bette Midler. She also designed for places like The Mercer Hotel and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

One of her amazing works was a 12-foot-high, 26-foot-wide wavy curtain. It was made of tiny metal coils and hung in the Museum of Modern Art's restaurant. Mary also helped design exhibitions, like the "Mies in Berlin" show at MoMA in 2001.

Personal Life and Family

Mary Bright was married to David Paskin. They were married from 1990 until 2002.

Sadly, Mary was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002. She passed away from lung cancer on November 29, 2002, at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Mary Bright's Unique Style

Mary Bright was known for her experimental approach to design. She used materials that people didn't usually think of for curtains. These included corrugated paper, rubber, and fine metal meshes. She also combined these with cut and sewn linen and wool. This unique use of materials made her work stand out.

She would spread fabric on a 30-foot worktable. Then, she would cut it with her 8-inch shears. For each client's room, Mary would find a different solution. She used various blends, soft wools, shiny linens, and even special Teflon-coated nylons. In 1997, she said, "I try to find other ways besides using fringe and tassels to make curtains look interesting."

Starting in 1987, Mary also began using silvery metals in her designs. These became very fashionable. She sometimes added a 3-inch silk taffeta lining that peeked out, like a petticoat. This gave her curtains a distinctive look.

Her Lasting Impact

John A. Hoch wrote about Mary Bright's impact in a magazine called Metropolitan Home in 2003. He said she was a "needle woman" who excelled in her craft. He also mentioned her amazing ability to understand people and situations. Mary could make any gathering lively with her wit and sparkle.

William L. Johnson from The New York Times also praised her art. He described her work as going "from controlled chaos" to "a flatness as tranquil as a flat sea." This shows how versatile and creative Mary Bright was in her designs.