A costume designer for theatre and cinema by training (under the name Bernadette Villard), over the last five years Leah Lieber has turned her talents to painting and photo portraiture.
After graduating from France’s Higher Institute for Theatre Arts (ENSATT), she worked on numerous productions in France, England and around the world and has received awards including the 1992 Best Costumes Moliere (equivalent to a Tony) for the play “Celimene et le Cardinal” and the 1994 Best Costumes Cesar (equivalent to an Oscar) for the movie “Germinal”.
In 2003, she was honoured by the French Ministry of Culture with the distinction of “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres”.
Leah Lieber now concentrates on painting, especially of using unusual supports, such as salvaged slate and zinc from Paris roof tops, as well as wood and canvas.
In addition, combining her creative talents in period costumes with historic artworks, Leah Lieber has recently started producing historical photo portraits in which clients are dressed and posed in recreated scenes from well-known paintings.
She devides her time between Paris and Upstate New York.