About Jane Scott
As the founder of couture fine linens company Leontine Linens, Jane Scott Hodges is credited with reviving the art of couture linens for home. As an innovator of, and the authority on, fine linens, she is known for her ability to introduce heirloom quality luxury linens and accessories for everyday use. More so, Jane Scott took the heritage driven concept of the monogram and rejuvenated it with a modern sensibility, incorporating unique styles and unexpected color.
Influenced by her Southern upbringing and a 
belief in the importance of heritage, Jane Scott was always fascinated with antiques and heirlooms. At the same time she was preparing for her wedding, Jane Scott stumbled upon her own great grandmother’s trousseau in the cellar of her parents’ 1780s Kentucky farmhouse. Inspired by her discovery, Jane Scott sought out her very own bridal trousseau emblazoned with her new monogram. After scouring the New Orleans shops and boutiques where she and her soon-to-be husband lived, Hodges was surprised and disappointed by the lack of custom fine linens, and thus she identified a need in the marketplace. Upon returning to Kentucky for her wedding, she discovered the Kentucky-based Eleanor Beard studio, an historic all-female company that since 1921, has hand-created linens known the world over for their superb quality. Jane Scott began Leontine Linens in 1996 to showcase their artisinal work. Shortly thereafter, in 2002, Hodges acquired Eleanor Beard Studio and has assumed the role of caretaker to the historic company.
Jane Scott met with her clients at their homes and returned to her back bedroom office to create unique products that were truly tailored to the lifestyle and aesthetic of the clients themselves. With her husband Philip, they decided to conduct the majority of the product sales by in-home appointment, a unique customized experience that set Leontine Linens apart from other companies. No items are stocked; Rather, products are tailor-made by the 25 skilled artisans at the Eleanor Beard studio.
The company quickly gained a loyal following and became a hit among socialites, celebrities and the editorial industry. As Leontine Linens started to gain popularity, the product became available on a national level. Hodges organically grew her company to include six sales women, a flagship store which opened in New Orleans in 2005, a showroom in Atlanta and an easy-to-navigate website.
Company Background
Leontine Linens is a privately owned company founded in New Orleans in 1996 by Jane Scott Hodges offering a couture service and product based on the belief that one’s linens should be a reflection and extension of the person’s personal taste and lifestyle. At the heart of Leontine’s philosophy is an artful approach to how one lives.Every product is meant to be used and enjoyed on a daily basis and not simply put in a drawer to be saved for special occasions. It is this philosophy that has propelled Leontine to become a sought-after brand.
In its young life, Leontine has become a leader in the home and luxury consumer goods industry, raising the bar in service and customization. The products are available through their flagship store, located on Magazine Street in New Orleans, and online at www.leontinelinens.com.
Customization
Leontine Linens is best known for its truly couture products. The product itself is cut and sewn to order in the style and fabrication specified by the client. The client then further customizes with embroidered, appliquéd or quilted embellishments. Leontine has created an extensive collection of signature monogram and border designs, but the client may choose to collaborate with his or her sales representative to create their own unique designs from scratch. Simply put, there are no limits to the level of customization a client can achieve.
Service
The Leontine experience is equally as important. From its inception, the company began in-home consultations. Unlike the traditional retail setting, the in-home appointment allows for an immediate sense of understanding about how the client lives and what products and designs best compliment his or her lifestyle. The company’s sales representatives intuitively guide the client through the selection process to help them select each design element.
Quality and Craftsmanship
In 2002, Leontine Linens acquired the Eleanor Beard Studio, an historic company located in Hardinsburg, Kentucky that since 1921, has made couture linens known the world over for their superb detail. Each sewer has an acquired specialty, ranging from cutting to hand-stitching to patternmaking. Once an order is placed, each task is specially delegated to an artisan based on her specialty. Leontine designs all products to be as sturdy as they are beautiful. Nearly all of the products are washer- and dryer-safe, with only a select few cashmere pieces requiring special care. A testament to the quality of the products is the archives of antique and vintage Eleanor Beard pieces that line the Leontine office shelves; quilts dating back to the 1930s look as if they were sewn just yesterday.
Products
Each product created by Leontine reflects the individual attention paid to it by the artisans. Whether it’s the buttery softness of the sheeting or the warm weight of the towels, all of the products from Leontine Linens are custom-made and tailored to each client.
A breadth of product offerings include, but are not limited to the following:
- Bedding – Quilts, Down, Coverlets, Duvets, Shams, Sheets, Bed Skirts
- Bath – Terry Towels, Linen Guest Towels, Shower Curtains
- Table Linens – Table Cloths, Table Runners, Dinner Napkins, Placemats, Cocktail Napkins
- Accessories – Jewelry, Make-up, Toiletry, Travel, and Boudoir Accessories
- Bed Clothes – Robes, Gowns, Pajama Sets, Nightshirts, and Quilted Bed Jackets
Leontine’s philosophy about leading a lifestyle based on the fine “art of living” has translated well with its customer base and the company has gained a loyal following in the couture luxury market. Leontine’s future plans include continuing to develop and train additional hand-picked sales representatives throughout the US.
New Orleans Flagship
Leontine Linens opened its flagship location on the famed Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans in the late summer of 2005. Designed to serve as a refuge from the typical retail experience, the store was inspired by the original Eleanor Beard boutiques from the 1950s. Founder Jane Scott Hodges paralleled the design to match the “salon” atmosphere that Beard pioneered for her own stores.
Hodges strived to create an environment that was served as canvas for clients to create inspired product that was truly of their own design. The building, located on a courtyard just steps from the main thoroughfare, required three months of renovation to transform it into what has become the signature Leontine shopping experience.
The showroom space, a two-story 1,400 square-foot loft, designed by local architect Brian Bockman, provides a serene and airy environment, fertile for the creation of all things custom. The loft’s main floor displays Leontine product in a variety of themed vignettes. Crisp white walls with chocolate, taupe, and bright lavender accents encase fixtures and headboards of lacquered white. Painted chandeliers adorn the ceiling, while modern furnishings provide space for both creativity and relaxation.