Jean Muir’s life in fashion began at the age of 22 when she
joined Liberty of London in 1950. Working her way from junior
stockroom assistant to the new Young Liberty section, Muir gained
valuable experience sketching designs for clients.
Muir then moved to Jaeger in 1956, designing for the label until
1962. Pivotally, in 1962 she left Jaeger to design under the
Jane and
Jane label.
In
1966, Jean Muir established Jean Muir
Ltd with her husband, Harry Leuckert. So successful were her
designs that her label remained at the forefront of fashion for
four decades.
The key to her designs was the emphasis on technical excellence
and craft. Strict attention to the details was integral to Jean
Muir's design philosophy.
After Muir’s death in 1995, her staff continued to produce
collections incorporating the brand’s distinctive design ethos. However, the
company closed in 2007, shortly after celebrating its 40th
anniversary.
Proud of her Scottish heritage, Jean Muir used Scottish
craftspeople in her work throughout her career. Further cementing
her ties with Scotland, Muir was a long term supporter of the
National Museum of Scotland and is acknowledged as a Founder on the
founder’s stone.
In recognition of Muir's close links to the museum, Leuckert
donated over 18,000 items from the Jean Muir archive to National
Museums Scotland in 2005. From sketches to toiles, fabric
samples to finished garments, the Jean Muir Collection gives an
unrivalled insight to the inner workings of one of Britain’s famous
fashion labels and a much-loved designer.