CIPE PINELES

I lived 1/2 mile from one of the most badass woman of graphic design for 18 years & I didn’t even know it!

an illustration C.P. made of her home, my house would be roughly were the “&” is

I can’t recall how many times I would pass the lone Second Empire Mansard style mansion on a quiet lane leading up to the Marian Shrine. You had to pass it to get to my nursery school and the open-air church my family would attend. To me it was a fascinating place always steeped in mystery- who lived in this home? 

It was only recently, when the house went up for sale in 2017 that I discovered the amazing person who resided inside and I perhaps crossed paths with on many occasions. It was the home of Cipe Pineles.

Cipe Pineles was the first independent female graphic designer in America, the first female member of the prestigious Art Directors Club, and the first woman inducted into the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame. Pineles emigrated to New York City from Austria at the age of thirteen. She went on to win a scholarship to Pratt and upon entering the work force in the 1930’s, really had to hustle to land a job. Her unabashed talent could not be ignored and she eventually won over Condé Nast himself. Her creative and collaborative spirit served her well as she worked her way up from positions at Vogue, Glamour, Seventeen, Charm, and Mademoiselle Magazines. Pineles was a trailblazer in showing young American women what it was like to be smart and modern, and not pandering to the stereotypes of the day. She was also a pioneer of bringing fine artists like Ben Shahn and Andy Warhol to magazines and giving them incredible creative license. Her contributions in evolving editorial design to what is is today cannot be overlooked.

Three generations of Cipe Pineles’ family would go on to dwell in that beautiful home where Cipe would have Vogue photoshoots and legendary parties. I only wish I knew while she was alive what an inspirational and iconic role model was right in my hometown. I love what the author Sarah Rich says, “Cipe’s story adds a branch to our creative family tree. She is the artistic great-grandmother we never knew we had."