Mary Ryan Reeves, illustrator of “Claire: The Little Girl Who Climbed to the Top and Changed the Way Women Dress,” hosted a party at her home recently to celebrate both the book’s official publication and what would have been fashion designer Claire McCardell’s 116th birthday. Debra Scala Giokas authored the picture book.
Party guests included members of the Frederick Art Club steering committee who this October will unveil a larger-than-life bronze statue of the iconic designer at the east end of Carroll Creek Linear Park in downtown Frederick.
Ryan Reeves lives in Frederick, where Claire was born, and attended Hood College, as did Claire. It was Frederick Art Club president Marilyn Bagel who connected Ryan Reeves with Scala Giokas, who resides in Sayville, New York, when the author reached out in search of an illustrator. The two now call Bagel their fairy godmother.
McCardell graced the cover of Time Magazine in 1955 and received multiple prestigious awards during her career. She brought modern American women sportswear, ballet flats, knit ski caps, hooded jerseys, and — perhaps best of all — pockets. Her designs were practical, comfortable and stylish all at once.
“Claire: The Little Girl Who Climbed to the Top and Changed the Way Women Dress” incorporates a story and elaborate pen and ink drawings that illuminate McCardell’s story and empower children to dream. There is also a companion coloring book called Claire’s Closet.
Debra Scala Giokas, a member of the Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators, first came across McCardell’s name in 2018 after reading about an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is her first children’s book, and she calls the collaboration a “labor of love.”
Ryan Reeves, an award-winning artist and retired art educator, is a member of the Frederick Art Club and has designed a scarf, necktie and bowtie to honor McCardell. When asked about her illustration process, she said, “I thought about Claire’s dream of creating functionality in women’s clothing. I also relied on the shapes and patterns she used in her designs to give me inspiration.”
Frederick Art Club president Marilyn Bagel said that in addition to the children’s books, “McCardell will be honored this fall with a 7 1/2-foot bronze statue by award-winning sculptor Sarah Hempel Irani. It will overlook Carroll Creek in downtown Frederick’s world-class linear park. An accompanying wayside exhibit will tell the story of Claire’s extraordinary career.” The public art project is sponsored by the Frederick Art Club. For more about the statue project, visit www.frederickartclub.com/theclairemccardellproject.
Both the picture book and the coloring book, published by Chandelier Street, can be purchased through Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other booksellers.
(1) comment
What took so long to celebrate this Great Lady? Wonderful this is being done. Thank you!
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