Sheila Bridges, A Bald Mermaid & Design Hero

Sheila Bridges New York Apartment

I have long admired Sheila Bridges for her work and accomplishments. Although our paths are not explicitly the same, they feel similar. In fact, I first learned of her after questioning whether there was room in the design world for someone like me. Sheila has always been a source of inspiration, and her battle with hair loss has made me a lifelong fan. With every magazine/media appearance, she boldly displays what our culture suggests you hide. That kind of fierceness should be more than applauded; it should be duplicated, a lesson in tackling adversity and kicking it to the curb.

Here are a few pics of Sheila's famously-photographed apartment. Her style is fairly traditional but she always manages to work in a bit of quirk.

Sheila Bridges New York Apartment

Sheila Bridges New York Apartment

Sheila Bridges New York Apartment

Sheila Bridges New York Apartment

Sheila Bridges' new memoir, The Bald Mermaid, details the trials and tribulations of life as a successful black designer and her road to get there. It's definitely on my list. I hear it's incredibly candid and full of sass. Learn more via this awesome article in the New York Times.

The Bald Mermaid by Sheila Bridges

Who's your design hero?

Images: (1-5) Trevor Tondro for The New York Times, (6) Pointed Leaf Press