Lou Mahr is the Co-Founder and President of Design Compendium Inc.  As President, Lou manages all strategic and operational functions from creative progress to new business development as related to client services.

Lou’s love for design began at the age of 16 when he worked for Carnegie Industries, a jewelry company where his uncle was employed.  Lou assisted with the design of showroom showcases for designer David Alverson.  The lines and designers represented were Yves Saint Laurent, Diane Von Fürstenberg and Pierre Balmin.

Lou graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Visual Merchandising.  As a second semester student Lou, along with his peers at FIT, designed an exhibit of fashion displays for movies throughout the decades.  Although a group effort, Lou’s exceptional work did not go unnoticed as he was awarded the opportunity to work on display windows for Bergdorf Goodman during his last semester while still at FIT.  Lou frequently serves as a featured speaker at FIT, where he gives individual critique to help prepare students for real world experience.

In the early 80’s Lou worked at design house Harriet Witkin Associates as the Assistant to the President producing tradeshows, which taught him to take on a project from start to finish.

Much of Lou’s young development in the industry came during his time with Hindsgaul Mannequin, USA.  For seven years Lou worked his way through the ranks of the company, eventually landing the role of international sales marketing manager.  Along the way he developed the operational, sales, marketing, and client relation skills which later would prove vital to his success.

Later, Lou became the showroom manager with George Dell Inc., eventually working his way into a strategic independent sales rep position.  It was during this time which he met his future business partner, Godfrey Rayner, while waiting at a bus stop.  Rayner was the director of special events for Guerlain the French cosmetics company.  Rayner began hiring Lou to assist on various projects. After several successful projects and learning how to develop successful designs from the inside out, Lou set out to start his visual design company, Design Compendium Inc., with Godfrey Rayner.

Lou believes in both tradition and innovation in design.  Tradition being derived from nature and classical forms, and innovation gained through listening and collaborating with young, fresh, talented, designers.