Historic Design Star Enid Marx (1902-1998)

She failed at design school yet succeeded during the Second World War, while England was under threat from bombing.

She thrived during a time dominated by male designers. She created striking, distinctive, and timeless work like this whimsical print with dogs. During her 70 year career, she was an author and illustrator of children’s books, a book designer, a printmaker, a textile designer, and a painter.

She brought good design to the common man for the first time by designing seating upholstery for the London Tube. It wore well and looked fresh even after hundreds of thousands of people sat on it as they went about their daily lives. Shown here is one of her fabric designs that remained in use for many years.

She was a star that shined decade after decade. May we all rise above life’s difficulties and create a better, more beautiful world for those around us!

Lisa Stewart is an interior designer serving the Triangle area of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, NC.