Avery Trufelman

Even though Claire was begging Geist to let her design clothes that were more dynamic and more wearable with more pockets.

Just wearing her own clothes around to work at Townley Frocks.

And that was how, in 1938, Claire had her first breakout design.

And this dress that this buyer saw Claire wearing was unlike any he had ever seen before.

This is sewing expert and fashion historian Julie Elber, who has, in her own words, this crazy obsession with Claire McArdle and her designs.

Julie has an amazing collection of McArdle clothes.

So a monastic dress is like a tent dress, but there are straps or belts to tighten it around your waist so you can fit it to your size.

So it's almost like a sack, like it doesn't have any zippers or buttons or anything.

Exactly.

It's hard to imagine that a dress this simple was so revolutionary, but it really was.

Right.

It was like, wow, something sexy and fun and easy didn't have to be tightly fitted.

This is this lovely dress that is made for somebody special.

The monastic dress took off.

That dress was a smash success.

It sold out.

Georgia O'Keeffe was a big fan.

Lauren Bacall was a big fan.

Not of Claire yet, of the dress at this point.

No one knew Claire McArdle was behind the design.