If I were to mention some fashion designers from the past whose impact and influences are truly transcendent to this day, I would have to say one of them would be American designer Claire McCardell. She’s truly embodied what being a style visionary is truly about. And if you haven’t noticed yet, our core as a platform is discussing fashion, and celebrating style visionaries.
1930s to 1940s was an era when American designers were generally inspired by Parisian fashion. But Claire McCardell truly looked into the lifestyle of American women to base her designs on. This made her develop her signature work, that would later credit her as the pioneer of “American Sportswear” and the “American Look”. She believed that “clothes should be useful,” and went on to become one of the pioneer designers to successfully translate high-styled, impeccably cut clothing influence from Paris into the mass-production arena of American fashion which would be spread out worldwide. She was first to create matching separates, along with casual sportswear, shirtwaist dresses, and wool jersey sheaths. McCardell truly designed for women who wanted stylish yet practical clothes, as she created pieces made of washable fabrics that were easily cared for.
Tory Burch, the modern American luxury fashion brand also known for modern womenswear but with an eclectic flair, made Claire McCardell the focal inspiration of its Spring/Summer 2022 collection. The series was showcased at the recent New York Fashion Week in the historic SoHo neighborhood. In the Philippines, Tory Burch is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI). Check out the collection:
The collection’s palettes are joyful, unexpected combinations of red, fuchsia, lavender, blue, green and chartreuse–bold and bright color mixes that you wouldn’t normally put together, but that work. The fabrication is about pieces that feel comfortable to wear, in mixes of humble and luxury materials: silk chiffon with linen burlap or broderie anglaise, cotton poplin with matte jersey, as well as tech knit with silk dupioni. Crepe jersey drapes beautifully on long skirts and dresses, while some feature textures in the forms of embroidery, topstitching, and ruching:
The collection’s silhouettes are flattering shapes made to wear in different ways, with a focus on casual elegance. Striking fabric combinations accentuate new and interesting proportions, with defined waists that are wrapped, belted, or shaped with tech-knit bandeaus that are layered under and over tops, as well as dresses and skirts with volume. There are also bustiers paired with relaxed pants, jackets and sweaters that sculpt the shoulders and sleeves. The series also pays an homage to Claire McCardell’s exaggerated pockets, and love of stripes.
The collection’s accessories are impeccable too. Bags, shoes and jewelry continue the themes of function and versatility. Totes and hobos are crafted in raffia and double topstitched leather with hook-and-eye closures. Evening bags in linen and leather are worn for day, with long beads inspired by Bakelite on the straps. The Lampshade tote is featured too, which is the inverse of a 1950s-inspired lampshade hat.
Hand-stitched leather logo details are seen on bags, pendants and mules. The collection also showcases pointed and rounded flats accented with ankle ties or studs. “Included are two reissues of McCardell’s designs: a flat she created with Capezio in 1953, and a striped silk-cotton boot,” Tory Burch said.
The season reflects these then-radical ideas with a mix of versatility, function, integrity and joy. There are striking contrasts of colors, prints and fabrics. Waists are softly defined with broad belts, long sashes and tech-knit bandeaus, balanced by the proportion of full skirts and relaxed trousers. 
There is a delicate tension between the retro and the modern. The collection boasts of cat-eye sunglasses and sculptural silver jewelry:
Tory Burch’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection truly exudes Claire McCardell’s ingenuity and legacy of revolutionizing the way women dress. She discarded the rules of what women should wear, instead problem-solving for the reality of their lives. Her designs instilled a sense of freedom, encouraged self-expression and empowered women with a casual elegance that is as relevant today as it was in the late 1940s.
In the Philippines, Tory Burch is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Greenbelt 5, Power Plant Mall, Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La. Visit facebook.com/ToryBurchPhilippines or follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.
Image Source: Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Tory Burch, SSI