Claire describing McCardell: “Claire McCardell – an American who designs clothes completely American – has crazy ideas which very often turn into accepted fashions. The practical appliance of her experiments, for youthful cut and workman-like construction make them more suitable than it may seem at first glance.” Fashion designer and Frederick, Maryland, native Claire McCardell wrote this brief statement about herself on May 22, 1944. She wrote it for C. B. Livingston at the advertising company Brooke, Smith, French and Dorrance, Inc., who was publishing an ad on “clothes of tomorrow.” In return, she received a case of Barclays Bourbon, which she wrote she was “looking forward to.” This statement gives us a glimpse of the designer through the designer’s eyes and this dress proves that her designs are not only acceptable, but also timeless. To learn more about Claire McCardell, keep an eye out for more posts highlighting the woman behind the designs as we prepare for our upcoming exhi...