LOS ANGELES–The International Furnishings and Design Association has given textiles designer and colorist Barbara Beckmann its 2008 Trailblazer Award.
The award is bestowed each year to a person “who has been responsible for an innovation that meaningfully alters the way some aspect of the furnishings and design industry functions or is perceived,” according to an IFDA statement. Beckmann is known for hand-painted fabrics with abstract and floral patterns, inspired by Far East designs, sea creatures, butterflies and organic forms. Her company, Barbara Beckmann Designs, produces silks that are handwoven in Italy, Thailand, India and China; and sources linen, cotton, wool, velvet, woven fabrics and acrylics for interior designers and trade showrooms.
Past recipients of the Trailblazer Award include former first lady “Lady Bird” Johnson, designer Raymond Waites, designer-architects Michael Graves and Philippe Starck, developer Trammell Crow, textiles designer Jack Lenor Larsen and magazine publisher Grace McNamara.