In the ever-changing world in which we live, few brands have what it takes to stand the test of time.

The Dorothy Draper brand and its iconic leader, Carleton Varney, continue to remain relevant in today’s evolving design market, more than seven decades after the vibrant brand was founded.

“Dorothy Draper represents glamour, and people still want glamour,” Varney said at a recent Dorothy Draper Design Weekend held at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV.

Establishing a ‘Thing of Beauty’

Known for its unmatched blending of bright colors, floral patterns, and bold contrasts in everything from fabric and wallpaper to furnishings and lifestyle accessories, the Dorothy Draper Company, founded in 1923, continues to be the hallmark style of countless homes, hotels, and resorts worldwide.

“Color turns drab things into things of beauty,” Varney said.

I was fortunate to attend the recent Draper Design Weekend and cherished my time with the legendary Varney and his team of talented design professionals. Varney went to work for Draper 52 years ago and has been championing the Draper brand, as well as refreshing its legacy at The Greenbrier ever since. Draper retired seven years after Varney joined the company, and no one anywhere could ever dispute the fact that Carleton Varney IS the Dorothy Draper brand.

“Dorothy Draper represents glamour, and people still want glamour.”

Carleton Varney

In addition to a colorful Q&A session where Varney reminisced about the Draper storyline, the history of The Greenbrier, and the happiness that envelopes his personal home in Ireland, he shared engaging memories of countless famous clients like Betty Davis, Ethel Merman, President Jimmy Carter, and “My Fair Lady” playwright Frederick Lowe.  

We toured The Greenbrier’s stylish and historical Presidential Suite, as well as a newly designed cottage property showcasing the timeless essence of Draper’s electric mix of signature paint, fabric, and wallpaper collections.

What to learn from timeless brands

My biggest takeaway? Happy rooms, happy homes, and happy people. That’s the storyline of Carleton Varney and the timeless legacy of a decorating genius. 

For everyone building or refreshing a brand, take a lesson from Varney, who told this personal story:

“Joan Crawford once told me, ‘I invented me and you do can do the same thing. Make yourself who you want to be.’”

That’s how timeless brands like Dorothy Draper and Carleton Varney are born.