Thea Tewi

Thea Tewi (June 24, 1902 – July 5, 1999) was a German-born American sculptor known for her work in stone. During the 1940s she was also a successful fashion designer who was proclaimed America's top lingerie designer in 1947. She studied at Staatliche Kunstakademie under the direction of Bruno Paul. and she eventually gained American citizenship in 1944, at which time she took the surname Tewi.

Tewi continued studying throughout her life, attending the SculptureCenter between 1953 and 1956, the Art Students League from 1954 to 1955, and in 1955, alongside Seymour Lipton and Manolo Pascual, she went to The New School for Social Research. Reporting on fashion trends that year, the Detroit Free Press referred to Tewi's "naughty-nice lingerie" featuring "daring cuts" and racy appliqués. Two Thea Tewi garments are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute: a silk nightgown called "Busting Out All Over" and an embroidered silk and lace slip called "Ripe Roses."

In 1947, the Textile Colorist journal, while reporting on Tewi's electric-blanket inspired nightgowns, noted that she had been named America's top lingerie designer. In 1950, Thea Tewi Lingerie merged with another leading company, Dutchess Underwear, to offer a line called "Dutchess Individually Yours by Tewi." In 1950, she returned to sculpting.

Artist Tewi started out working in metal, but switched to stone as her favourite material, particularly marble and onyx. She represented the United States at the 1969 Biennale in Carrara, Italy. the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and many other institutions.

Memberships Tewi was a former president of the Sculptors League and an honorary president of the League of Present-Day Artists. She was also a member of the American Society of Contemporary Artists, the Artists-Craftsmen New York, and the National Association of Women Artists; she chaired the latter group's Sculpture Jury from 1969 to 1972.

Personal life In 1980, Tewi was reported as dividing her life between Maryland, New York, and Italy.

She died in Queens, New York at the age of 97 in 1999. When her death was recorded, she was entered as Thea Schlachet.