Claire McCardell

1905 - 58. Born in Frederick, Maryland, USA. McCardell studiedfor two years at Hood College in Frederick before transferring in 1927 to Parson's School of Design in New York and later to Parson's Paris branch. Back in Neew York at the end of the 1920s she joined designer Richard Turk, moving with him in 1931 to manufacturers Townley Frocks. Turk died shortly afterwards and McCardell took over his job as designer. In 1938 she introduced her 'monastic dress', a highly successful, free flowing garment, waistless and cut on the bias. Shortly after, McCardell moved to Hattie Carnegie

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