Libretto was founded in 1997 by Thomas Cushing to create Kate Spade Paper, which was Kate Spade's first license. A blend of illustration and fine leather goods, using Kate's signature fabrics and leathers, it changed the direction of social stationery. Since then, Libretto has created several stationery and accessory collections, under license, for leading European design and fashion brands. Its current licenses include: Christian Lacroix Papier, The New York Times, Lotta Jansdotter, The Victoria & Albert Museum, and Orla Kiely Paper.

Libretto's guiding principle is that social stationery needn't be commodity in nature - it should be "social" - fun, inspiring, amusing - and that by working with the world's finest designers we can create products that are as innovative and stylish as the finest fashion or industrial design without being over-priced and elitist.