After 43 years in the A&D industry and 11 years at Luum Textiles, Suzanne Tick will step back from her role as Luum’s Creative Director, effective December 31, 2024. Anyone who knows Suzanne knows her dedication to design methodology, the environment, and the architects and designers she has served throughout her accomplished career. Her warmth, approachability, and tenacity leave an indelible mark on all who meet and know her collections that address emerging societal shifts have shaped the industry and beyond.
For the first time in many years, Tick’s live/work space in New York City will transition back to a private one. Tick will have her home back as an art and meditation studio, as she blazes her next creative chapter: exploring what makes her tick.
Tick’s designs are attuned to nature yet equally informed by technology, craft, and human ingenuity. A weaver who grew up in a family of recyclers, Tick’s formal skills and life experience are the basis for the Luum product development process – fiber grading, yarn twisting, dyeing, costing, warping, jacquard-design structures, and dobby constructions – all of which will continue on. Luum stands strong today with 80% of its inventory containing renewable, recycled, or biodegradable content including recycled garment waste.
“If you’ve ever met Suzanne, you’ll know there is no stopping her. Suzanne is a master of her craft, her ability to create products, market her ideas, and work directly with our clients and their end users has made the brand what it is today,” says Dave White, President of Luum Textiles.
Her work as a risk-taker and innovator is inherent to her spirit as a leader and mentor. In 2012, as a reach and a dream, Tick approached David Feldberg, president and CEO of Teknion, to pitch a new idea: create the contract industry’s go-to sustainable textile brand. With Feldberg’s support, Suzanne Tick and Dave White, President of Luum, built the company into a global brand.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Suzanne over the many years. We are so fortunate to have been able to bring her into our Teknion family,” said Feldberg. “She was the spiritual leader of our Luum business and has a unique combination of creative brilliance and strong business acumen. She wasn’t shy about expressing her opinions, especially at the start of our partnership, and as I grew to appreciate she was usually right! She has become a good friend as well. I wish Suzanne all the best of health and happiness as she moves into this new phase of life.”
Tick was honored with the IIDA Titan Award in 2013 and inducted into the ASID College of Honorary Fellows in 2022. From 2013 through 2024, Tick’s 25 collections for Luum have won dozens of awards.
Tick may have fewer meetings on her schedule, but she won’t be stepping away from the design industry. Tick will continue her artistic practice, working with corporations to identify their waste streams and using recycled materials to create bespoke woven artworks. She will also continue to teach Vedic Meditation to corporations, architects, designers, and artists at her in-home meditation studio in New York.
“I couldn’t have conceived of a better partnership than with Teknion. We worked hand in glove. An organization without pretension. Filled with support, kindness, and consideration. So grateful to have been given the opportunity to build Luum and build lifelong friendships,” said Tick.
Details about the future of Luum’s creative leadership will be announced in January 2025.