Phillips Collection co-founder Larry Phillips dies at 95

Lawrence Phillips, Oct. 17, 1917- Feb. 8, 2013

Home Accents Today Staff -- Home Accents Today, 2/21/2013 10:01:45 AM

Lawrence (Larry) Phillips, one of the co-founders of The Phillips Collection, died earlier this month at age 95.

Phillips was born in New York and spent his life traveling the world. After graduating from Brooklyn College at age 19, he went on to serve in World War II. He then went into dress manufacturing, running factories in Hong Kong and selling to high-end department stores. He founded The Phillips Collection with his wife Shirley, son Mark and daughter-in-law Julie Phillips in the mid-80s. He is credited with helping to introduce Asian style to the American marketplace.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Phillips, sons Michael and Mark Phillips, and his grandchildren (including Jason Phillips and Jessica Phillips Penn of The Phillips Collection), as well as great grandchildren.