Uniform

With a dream of being a dancer, Vera Maxwell arrived in the fashion world through the back door. Working first as a showroom model, she then became interested in the actual construction of the clothes. Not always agreeing with what was being offered, she began to make as well as mix and match her own clothes, which department store buyers from Lord & Taylor and Best Co. began to notice. Maxwell states that her first "real" design job was with Adler & Adler, where she worked from 1936-1937 and afterwards, found contract work to be very advantageous. Her classic, comfortable and timeless designs continued to garner praise and in 1947she opened a business under her own name, Vera Maxwell Originals. Her career outlasted that of her contemporaries, as she did not stop designing until 1985.

This suit is actually a uniform designed by Maxwell for The Lincoln Center's new employees: a group of young girls that would be giving tours of the center. In addition to the dress, the BMA costume archive has photographs and editorial discussing the creation of the suit and its success as a work uniform. Being asked to design a uniform for such an elite institution speaks well of the designer, and shows how important it was for her to be involved in her community.