Ann Gish Phillips, founder and CEO of the eponymous bedding, linens and furniture brand, has passed away. Jane Gish will assume the role of CEO.
Ann Gish Phillips, founder and CEO of the Ann Gish bedding, linens and furniture brand, passed away August 2, 2019 at her country home in North Salem, N.Y., surrounded by family. She was 70 years old.
Ann is survived by her husband David, children Noah, Theo and Jane, stepchildren Ben and Chiara, daughter-in-law Natalie, son-in-law Kris, six grandchildren and three sisters.
New York City-based Ann Gish Inc. has operated since 1991 as a supplier of high-end bedding and linens to private labels, select retailers and interior designers. The company’s products are in the homes of many celebrities and have appeared in film, television and on Broadway. Several years ago the company entered the furniture and department store retail channels with a bridge line called “The Art of Home,” introducing the Ann Gish label to a larger audience of consumers. In 2015, Ann expanded into furniture through a licensed collection with Dallas-based manufacturer Global Views.
Born and raised in New York City and Southern California, Ann also spent years living in France, London and Barbados, the latter in a restored 1712 sugar plantation. For most of her adult life, home has been Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Before venturing into home textiles, Ann worked as a television and radio producer, a chef and an interior designer. It was while working as a designer in California that she became disappointed with the availability in the marketplace and, according to her daughter Jane, “just decided to change it.”
With Ann’s passing, Jane Gish assumes the position of CEO, working alongside David Phillips, CFO and Ann’s husband and partner of 21 years, and National Sales Manager Derrick Rickets, continuing in their current roles.
Jane told Home Accents Today her mother had been dealing with a lung cancer diagnosis for a little over two years, but that it was something Ann chose to do privately. “Her disease had been very stable for some time, until several weeks ago. Her passing came sooner and far more quickly than we all expected, but she passed without pain or fear, and with bravery.”
“After her diagnosis in May 2017, she continued to work because she loved what she did,” Jane said. “She still felt she had so much to design, to make, to create. We have several years of designs she had planned for future collections – she was truly prolific.” Ann also began putting together a plan to ensure a smooth succession, which includes passing the reins of leadership to Jane, who has worked alongside her mother for years, serving as Director of Operations since 2013. “We have had the luxury of being able to plan for a secure, organized business transition, and now we know what to do,” Jane said.
The transition plan also included closing, in June, the 6,000-sq.-ft. Ann Gish retail showroom (open since 2011 at 4 West 20th Street in Manhattan’s Flatiron District) and moving the company’s warehouse operations to an 11,000-sq.-ft. space in West Springfield, Mass.
“I just loved working with my mom,” added Jane, who – in addition to being a mother of two young boys – holds a J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law, is a licensed real estate broker, and spent several years as a professional researcher, copywriter and business owner. “Part of our desire to continue the company is to both honor her legacy and connect with a big part of who she was. We have an incredible team in place. I know she would be proud of what we will accomplish.”
Husband David said he’s lived and worked with Ann for 21 years and would “repeat every single minute of it” if he could. “We have grown and navigated the business together through many changes and countries, a few mistakes, and thousands of wonderful experiences. The business is stronger today than ever, with new company-owned headquarters in West Springfield, Massachusetts. I look forward to my new partnership with Jane and the team, but will miss Ann with all my heart.”
Derrick Ricketts started with Ann Gish over 15 years ago as the company’s Houston sales rep. In February, Ann asked him to become her national sales manager: “Ann was an incredible lady with impeccable style and an extraordinary design vision; she will be greatly missed both personally and professionally. Jane has been trained by the very best and we’re going to keep Ann’s legacy and design aesthetic alive, and continue moving forward with her vision of luxury bedding for all.”
Longtime colleague Patricia Holley recently began collaborating with Ann on product design and will continue in that role. “Ann was a mentor and an inspiration to me in so many ways; her talent was innate and exceptional, as was her entrepreneurial vision,” she said. “Everything she created was beautiful, elegant, unique and special. As a friend, she was always direct, honest and would say exactly what she thought … and it always made me laugh.”
Beloved, respected and celebrated throughout the home furnishings and textiles industries, Ann’s passing has come as a shock to the retailers, designers, manufacturers, media and market professionals who knew and loved her.
Four Hands Vice President Josh Jarboe, a close friend who was aware of Ann’s illness, describes her as someone who “approached life and design fearlessly, continually exploring new expressions of beauty, luxury, and comfort” through her work. “Ann approached cancer with the same fearlessness,” he said. “Her resolve was rock solid, and her strong belief in her ability to overcome kept her buoyant and optimistic throughout her treatments. Her keen sense of humor, her clarity amid chaos, and her courageous spirit were never tamped down. Up until the very end, Ann was Ann.”
David Gebhart, CEO of Global Views, which licensed and launched Ann’s furniture collections said she saw things differently than most designers: “She was always the most creative person in the room when it came to soft goods designs, but she shocked me by coming up with totally unique materials and ways to make important pieces of furniture, too. Combining materials that most people had not yet thought to combine, she created two iconic furniture collections with my company. We were both so proud of what we achieved together, but I can tell you – none of it would have happened if Ann had not come up to me directly and said ‘I’ve got a great bed I want you to make for me.’ But it didn’t stop with just a bed. Along came the next idea, and the next, and the next. She was prolific beyond words. She even built Styrofoam models of furniture items just to make sure her proportions and dimensions were good. She attempted to sit in a Styrofoam model chair at some point, and I think she must have crashed through it, but she swore to me ‘It was a very, very comfortable chair – before my butt caused it to collapse!’”
Ann’s unexpected death has understandably elicited an outpouring of memories and tributes on social media.
Margaret Russell, former editor of Architectural Digest and Elle Décor, called Ann a “gorgeous, brainy, wickedly funny, amazingly creative trailblazer,” who years ago launched “what has since evolved into a luxury-bedding empire. Her straightforward style and remarkable grace, integrity, and character were deeply inspiring—not to mention the fact that she brought a visionary glamour and elegance to bedrooms around the world. At a dinner party in London several years ago, Ann introduced me to the dashing David Phillips, who would soon become her husband and business partner. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a friend so blissfully happy as Ann was that evening; it’s a memory I’ll never forget … the firm will continue to thrive under the skillful guidance of Jane Gish, Ann’s extraordinary daughter and collaborator.”
Cody Ables, CEO of CODARUS, a national home furnishings sales management firm, called her a “a talented, strong, smart” person who loved her family. “She gave CODARUS a chance 15 years ago by being the first brand to sign up with our unknown company. I will always remember how she helped us navigate the first couple of years. I learned so much from her.”
Design blogger Courtney Price said Ann “… artfully called it like she saw it. She was hilarious. At the same time she was kind and fair rather than humorous at another’s expense. She raised the bar on bedding options, thank goodness, which is why all the top furniture manufacturers dress their showroom beds with HER gorgeous silks, linens and cottons.”
A private service will be held. Condolences may be shared at Ann Gish Inc., 857 Elm Street, West Springfield, Mass. 01089. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ann’s memory to City Harvest or Smile Train.
Susan Dickenson is the editor in chief of Home Accents Today, where she has spent more than a decade covering trending topics, best practices and news items pertaining to the manufacturing, retail and interior design segments of the home furnishings industry. A graduate of UNC, Dickenson spent 15 years in the Washington, D.C., area, writing and researching in both the public and private sector. After relocating to her native North Carolina in 2003, she freelanced as a writer of general interest, business, garden and home items for local and national publications before joining Home Accents Today in 2006 as retail editor.
