HIGH POINT, N.C.–Lawrence Phillips, co-founder of the Phillips Collection, died earlier this month. He was 95 years old.
Phillips was born in New York and spent his life traveling the world. After graduating from Brooklyn College at the age of 19, he went on to serve in World War II.
After the war, Phillips went into dress manufacturing, running factories in Hong Kong and selling to high-end department stores like Bloomingdale’s. He founded Phillips Collection in 1983 with his wife Shirley, son Mark and daughter-in-law Julie Phillips. Phillips, along with the Phillips Collection, is regarded as a pioneer for bringing Asian style to the United States furniture market.
Phillips is survived by his wife Shirley; sons Michael and Mark; and grandchildren and great grandchildren.