Dubbed the creator of the "American Look", Claire McCardell (1905 – 1958) is considered one of the most significant designers of contemporary women's wear. In an era when most fashion was influenced by Parisian haute couture, she drafted practical yet elegant pieces, tailored to fit a modern American lifestyle.
McCardell relied heavily on her intuition as a woman when creating her garments. She believed her wardrobe requirements were the same as many others and felt the need for sensible and comfortable fashion solutions. For example, McCardell always put closures where a woman could easily get to them - without the help of a man to do zippers or buttons. Her most famous design was the “Monastic” in 1938, a waistless, dartless, bia-cut tent dress that could be worn with or without a belt. In the 1940s, she created a line of swimwear and playsuits that transformed the way women dressed for the beach. McCardell also utilized the help of artists such as Marc Chagall, Fernand Leger and Pablo Picasso to make prints for her collections.
Unfortunately, Claire McCardell passed away from cancer at age 53, working up until her final months. However, her influence and fashion mantra still holds true today, "wear what you want, know what looks good on you and don't follow fashion if it doesn't feel right to you."
For more Claire McCardell, browse her archives here.