Object Title
Townley Frocks 1934
Part of
Collection: Claire McCardell fashion sketches
Material Category
Drawing/Painting/Print
Type of Work
sketches
Description
In this year, McCardell presented her first five-piece system of interchangeable separates, or “mix-and-match†separates, which were inspired by her need to pack light when traveling. The relative simplicity and functionality of the garments proved her willingness to diverge from French couture, and would serve as one of her design trademarks for many years to come. Although the designs in this series feature ensembles with multiple components, it is unclear if any of them depict a full five-piece system. The majority of the designs are similar to what McCardell produced in previous years, with calf-length skirts, jabot collars, and wide shoulders, as popularized by Elsa Schiaparelli. Designs also include numerous embellishments such as ruffles and netting, which McCardell seldom used later on in her career. The inscriptions found on sketches in this series feature the names of French designers and New York department stores, including Coco Chanel, Augustabernard, and Best & Co. A few sketches also include the names Paramount and Blumenthal, presumably referring to a belt manufacturer and B. Blumenthal & Co., a fashionable button company.
Date
circa 1934
Related people
Claire McCardell (designer)
Townley Frocks (Firm) (commissioner)
Measurements
8.5 in (width) x 11 in (height)
Use Restrictions
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Location
binders 17-21
Identifier
KA0082_000007
There’s more! What you see on this site is only what is viewable online. Please visit archives.newschool.edu to find out more about what’s in the archives.
Material Category
Drawing/Painting/PrintType of Work
sketchesDescription
In this year, McCardell presented her first five-piece system of interchangeable separates, or “mix-and-match†separates, which were inspired by her need to pack light when traveling. The relative simplicity and functionality of the garments proved her willingness to diverge from French couture, and would serve as one of her design trademarks for many years to come. Although the designs in this series feature ensembles with multiple components, it is unclear if any of them depict a full five-piece system. The majority of the designs are similar to what McCardell produced in previous years, with calf-length skirts, jabot collars, and wide shoulders, as popularized by Elsa Schiaparelli. Designs also include numerous embellishments such as ruffles and netting, which McCardell seldom used later on in her career. The inscriptions found on sketches in this series feature the names of French designers and New York department stores, including Coco Chanel, Augustabernard, and Best & Co. A few sketches also include the names Paramount and Blumenthal, presumably referring to a belt manufacturer and B. Blumenthal & Co., a fashionable button company.Date
circa 1934Related people
Claire McCardell (designer)Townley Frocks (Firm) (commissioner)
Measurements
8.5 in (width) x 11 in (height)Use Restrictions
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Location
binders 17-21Identifier
KA0082_000007There’s more! What you see on this site is only what is viewable online. Please visit archives.newschool.edu to find out more about what’s in the archives.