Francis Scott Key Lecture Series—FSK from Home Claire McCardell: WWII and The American Look with Robyn Levy, Tory Burch Claire McCardell Fashion Fellow

World War II brought Frederick, Maryland-born fashion designer Claire McCardell to a turning point in her career. Already established in the fashion industry but not quite a household name, McCardell was commissioned to design uniforms for the Office of Civil Defense Corps. Using non-rationed materials such as weather balloon cottons, aprons and mattress ticking, McCardell embraced the opportunity for uniqueness, ultimately leading to the embedded American Look for women.

Dive deeper into McCardell’s WWII experience and get a behind-the-scenes look into the upcoming Claire/McCardell exhibition with Robyn Levy, recipient of the Tory Burch Claire McCardell Fashion Fellowship at MCHC, and Victoria Pass, PhD, Associate Professor of Fashion and Design History at The Maryland Institute College of Art. 

This virtual program is free and open to all audiences. Registration is required. After registering, an automated confirmation email will provide connection instructions.

Image: Model in a Civilian Uniform, unknown photographer, c.1941. Maryland Center for History and Culture, Claire McCardell Photograph Collection, PP238.07.006