Resource Description

The Parson's New School for Design libraries have digitized over 1,500 fashion design sketches from the archival collections of Claire McCardell, Norman Norell and Mildred Orrick with the intent of documenting the history of 20th century American Fashion. "The images that comprise the Fashion Design History Database reflect the metamorphosis of women's fashion from the 1920s through the 1970s. Exploring themes of functionality and form, the designers whose work is represented in the database demonstrate the ways in which fashion has evolved along with women's changing roles."