RIP Jessica McClintock - Maker of Princesses
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:47 pm
For those of you in the US, especially the West Coast, yesterday we lost a San Francisco icon - Jessica McClintock - creater of Gunne Sax line
https://people.com/style/fashion-design ... ies-at-90/
She was responsible for making hundreds of thousands girls (and some boys) feel like a Princess for all of their formal events. From Christening, Prom, Holiday, Bridal, Bridesmaid and even MOB. I have owned over 30 Jessica McClintock dresses and separates.
I bought my first gown at age 17, during Halloween season, at the Jessica McClintock Outlet store in San Francisco. It was a size10 cobalt blue, boat neck, long satin gown with poofy sleeves and mermaid skirt. With elbow length satin gloves. I remember fingering the satin of the gown in the bag all the way home on the train. At that time, I only had discarded lingerie and a pajama outfit I had purchased as a "Mother's Day" gift. This was my first time buying a dress that was clearly for me. It was my coming of age moment as a satin obsessed crossdresser.
I was not the only male in the shop going through racks of gowns and the filipina ladies working there had seen it all. In San Francisco, Halloween is huge, a much bigger deal than Christmas. The cashier is the one who suggested I get the matching gloves. I loved that gown and two years later I actually wore it for Halloween - it was a little worse for wear. Unlike my sister who may wear the same formal 2-3 times only. I logged hundreds of dressing sessions. I got my money's worth from satin gowns!
In my late teens, I continued to build my collection and shop at the JM Outlet. The staff was completely indifferent to my being there. As long as I didn't try using the communal dressing room, they didn't care. They would happily take my money and ask if I needed anything else.
Coincidentally, I am selling off my Bridal Gown https://www.ebay.com/itm/Satin-Ivory-Je ... 4725948812 that I purchased but never wore. I bought this in my late 20s when my body had already changed to a "man's body" - I thought maybe if I lost weight I could wear it. That never happened. So it has been sitting in my closet (in a garment bag) for 30 years. If you like heavy satin acetate from the late 80s, this is your girl!
So thank you Jessica! You made this boy feel like a Princess.
https://people.com/style/fashion-design ... ies-at-90/
She was responsible for making hundreds of thousands girls (and some boys) feel like a Princess for all of their formal events. From Christening, Prom, Holiday, Bridal, Bridesmaid and even MOB. I have owned over 30 Jessica McClintock dresses and separates.
I bought my first gown at age 17, during Halloween season, at the Jessica McClintock Outlet store in San Francisco. It was a size10 cobalt blue, boat neck, long satin gown with poofy sleeves and mermaid skirt. With elbow length satin gloves. I remember fingering the satin of the gown in the bag all the way home on the train. At that time, I only had discarded lingerie and a pajama outfit I had purchased as a "Mother's Day" gift. This was my first time buying a dress that was clearly for me. It was my coming of age moment as a satin obsessed crossdresser.
I was not the only male in the shop going through racks of gowns and the filipina ladies working there had seen it all. In San Francisco, Halloween is huge, a much bigger deal than Christmas. The cashier is the one who suggested I get the matching gloves. I loved that gown and two years later I actually wore it for Halloween - it was a little worse for wear. Unlike my sister who may wear the same formal 2-3 times only. I logged hundreds of dressing sessions. I got my money's worth from satin gowns!
In my late teens, I continued to build my collection and shop at the JM Outlet. The staff was completely indifferent to my being there. As long as I didn't try using the communal dressing room, they didn't care. They would happily take my money and ask if I needed anything else.
Coincidentally, I am selling off my Bridal Gown https://www.ebay.com/itm/Satin-Ivory-Je ... 4725948812 that I purchased but never wore. I bought this in my late 20s when my body had already changed to a "man's body" - I thought maybe if I lost weight I could wear it. That never happened. So it has been sitting in my closet (in a garment bag) for 30 years. If you like heavy satin acetate from the late 80s, this is your girl!
So thank you Jessica! You made this boy feel like a Princess.