Vera Neumann and her husband George Neumann began silkscreening placemats in their New York City apartment in 1946. They began selling them to the B. Altman department store, and the business was an immediate success.
She soon expanded her lines to include other kitchenwares and home accessories, as well as scarves and (in the 1960s) clothing. She even designed dinnerware for Mikasa.
Vera is most famous for her scarves, which she conceived of as unique works of art. She began making them using army surplus parachute silk. She used only her first name in the business, and signed each of her creations, accompanying her name with a ladybug logo during some periods of her career.
Vera's The Foucault Pendulum was the first work of art commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution's Resident Associate Program. After George's death, Vera sold the company, but continued to design.
She herself designed prodigiously almost until her death in 1993, but was assisted by a design team in producing the 500 to 600 different scarf designs each year. Her most famous assistant designer was Perry Ellis, who spent 2 years creating scarves for her. The company has continued to the present day.