Lucite International, the driving force behind Lucite®, today announced it will host an exhibition in New York City to celebrate the brand’s 75th anniversary. The exhibition opens on May 10 and will remain on display through June 10 at materials library Material ConneXion.

Lucite will showcase the winning prototypes from its Carry Me! handbag design competition along with a rare collection of vintage handbags that inspired the competition. The exhibit will also include a series of current product applications that demonstrate the versatility of Lucite® and its use in a wide range of industries—from architecture and furnishings to industrial design and retail merchandising.

“Our venerable product has made a significant impact on the design, fashion and art worlds over the last several decades. As such we are not only celebrating where the brand has been but also its potential for the future” said Chris Robinson, business manager at Lucite International.

White Webb Lucite side tables

Originally created by DuPont, commercial production of Lucite® began in 1936. During World War II, it was used for submarine periscopes, windshields and canopies as well as gun turrets for airplanes. Handbag, jewelry and furniture designers made Lucite a must-have material in the 1950s.

Now called Lucite International, the company is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Rayon but the material is still manufactured just outside Memphis. Lucite® is easy to cut, join, form and fabricate and continues to be popular today in fashion, interior design and architectural circles.

Vladimir Kagan lucite club chairs

“Lucite® is revered by designers from every discipline for its beauty, flexibility and durability,” said George M. Beylerian, founder and CEO of Material ConneXion. “We look forward to sharing this moment in design history with the thousands of designers who come through our space to learn about the latest innovations in material solutions.”

Alexis Bittar, the world-renowned jewelry designer famous for incorporating Lucite® acrylic into his creations, was among the judges’ who selected the Carry Me! competition winners.

Exhibition hours are 9am – 6pm Monday through Friday, with special ICFF hours Saturday May 14th & Sunday, May 15th, 10am – 5pm.