Jessica Glasscock, Author, Historian, Researcher, Professor at Parsons School of Design

As much as the academy and the museum may march “genius” designers through their galleries and their well appointed coffee table books, the real authors of our 21st century fashion were American women of style. Independent, active, and given to sportswear, the American woman of style invented the modern fashion we live in today. Jessica will trace her story from female founders to global influencers.

Mrs. Winston Guest, November 30, 1958, Photograph by Toni Frissell

Sports Illustrated Assignment Information: Sporting Look: Mainbocher Fashions (Mrs. Edward Hutton).

Credit line: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Toni Frissell Photograph Collection, [reproduction number, LC-F905-13668]

Minnie Cushing posing for Vogue, February 1965, Photograph by Toni Frissell

Credit line: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Toni Frissell Photograph Collection, [reproduction number, LC-F905-29857]

Gloria Cooper, February 1966, Photograph by Toni Frissell

Credit line: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Toni Frissell Photograph Collection, [reproduction number, LC-F905-52115]