The Stacy Garcia® Design Studio is incredibly proud to share that our founder, Stacy Garcia has been named the 2026 recipient of the prestigious NEWH ICON of Industry Award.
The announcement was made during the NEWH Women in Design Awards Breakfast at HD Expo at Mandalay Bay, recognizing a milestone achievement in Stacy’s remarkable 30-year career in hospitality design.
Presented annually by NEWH, Inc., The Hospitality Industry Network, the ICON of Industry Award is the organization’s highest honor. The award recognizes manufacturing leaders whose careers have shaped the products, partnerships, innovation, and standards that define hospitality design around the world. Recipients are selected not only for their professional accomplishments, but also for their lasting impact on the industry through mentorship, philanthropy, and leadership.
For those who know Stacy, this recognition reflects exactly who she is.
Since entering the hospitality industry in 1996 as a textile designer for Richloom Contract, Stacy has continuously pushed the boundaries of hospitality product design. First founding LebaTex in 1999 and then, through the creation of globally recognized lifestyle brands and partnerships, she has built a career rooted in innovation, storytelling, and creating meaningful guest experiences through design. Her work has influenced hospitality interiors across textiles, flooring, wallcoverings, furniture, tile, and beyond, always balancing elevated aesthetics with real-world performance and functionality.
Over the years, Stacy has become known not only for her creative vision, but also for her entrepreneurial spirit and ability to identify where hospitality design is headed next. Her influence continues to shape the industry through trend forecasting, product innovation, and collaborative partnerships that inspire designers worldwide.
NEWH CEO Chris Tucker captured this sentiment perfectly, sharing:
“Stacy Garcia represents exactly what the ICON of Industry award was created to honor. Three decades of innovation. Multiple global brands built from the ground up. And a commitment to mentorship and giving back that has touched nearly every corner of our industry. Stacy hasn’t just contributed to hospitality design — she has helped shape its future.”
At the Studio, we see this impact every day. Stacy leads with passion, creativity, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to helping others grow. Mentorship has always been central to her mission, whether through her leadership with NEWH, her role as Martha’s Mentors Executive Chair, or the countless designers, entrepreneurs, students, and creatives she has encouraged throughout her career.
Her dedication to giving back extends far beyond the design industry. Stacy’s philanthropic efforts support organizations including The Valentine Project, the Heifer Foundation, the Black Artists + Designers Guild, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, and local community initiatives through Temple Beth Sholom. She has always believed that great design is about creating positive impact, not only through products and spaces, but through people and community.
Being nominated by Diana Dobin, the 2025 NEWH ICON of Industry recipient, makes this recognition even more meaningful. In her nomination letter, Dobin described Stacy as “a visionary, game-changer, and trailblazer” who “didn’t just enter the world of design — she redefined it.”
As a studio, we could not agree more.
“I am incredibly grateful for the partners who have supported our studio and allowed us to co-create such beautiful collections over the years. Collaboration has always been at the heart of what we do, and through these creative partnerships, we have been able to bring meaningful, design-forward products to life. Thank you to Koroseal, TileBar, Signature Flooring, LebaTex, Brintons, Momentum, Andaaz Manufacturing, Townsend Leather, Edgecombe Furniture, and all of our legacy partners over the years. Your trust, creativity, and partnership have meant so much to me personally and to the Stacy Garcia® Design Studio.”
— Stacy Garcia
This award is not only a celebration of Stacy’s extraordinary career, but also of the values that continue to guide everything we do at the Stacy Garcia® Design Studio: innovation, creativity, mentorship, collaboration, and giving back to the hospitality community that has supported us throughout the years.
In keeping with the ICON tradition, a $7,500 NEWH scholarship will also be awarded in Stacy’s honor to support the next generation of hospitality design talent, further reinforcing her lasting commitment to education and mentorship.
Stacy will be formally honored at the Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design Gala on November 9, 2026 in New York City during BD|NY.
Please join us in congratulating Stacy Garcia on this incredible and well-deserved honor. We are beyond proud to celebrate this milestone and excited for all that is still to come.