Eveningwear Designer Constance McCardle spent two days at the John De Medeiros boutique at 150 WORTH, where she was showing her new Bohemian Fantasy collection. She sat down for a quick interview and showed some of her latest dresses. Please stop by John De Medeiros to view the full collection of her latest work before February 7, 2012. After that, some of her pieces will still be available at John De Medeiros, 150 WORTH.
The first dress fashion designer Constance McCardle ever made won a big prize. A blue ribbon to be precise, in the 4-H competition at the local fair nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she grew up. It was a border print dress and launched a lifelong passion with textiles, beautiful clothes, lace and stunning design. She started making dresses at nine, learning from her seamstress mother and artistic grandmother. As a teenager, she became interested in string art – crochet, macramé, needlepoint.
“I got into smaller thread to the point I was lace making at the age of 20 –tiny, tiny thread,” she said.
She moved to New York City in the 80′s to study fashion design and her obsession with lace became her signature design. Henri Bendel noticed her work and sold her blouses. She started making wedding dresses and eveningwear and opened a designer boutique store. As head designer at the Gallery of Wearable Art, she created gowns and worked with vintage textiles. She currently creates one-of-a-kind pieces for private clients, performers and specialty boutiques.
“My thing is antique textiles,” she said. “My taste runs to embellishment.”
What is your biggest influence?
Vintage. I really love vintage looks with a ladylike feeling. But updated, they have to be updated. I’m also influenced by nature – feathers, flowers, stones, and the natural world.
Do your designs change from winter to summer?
In the summer, the colors become lighter, airier. In the winter it’s more capes and furs.
Do you listen to music when you work?
No – but I do love music and even play guitar in a bluegrass band.
What do you wear daily?
Day-to-day, I’m often in black with a great necklace but I do like color. I work almost 12 hours a day, every day, but when it comes to my clothes, the last thing I want to do is make clothes for myself.
What’s your favorite book?
“The Law of Success in 16 lessons.”
Where do you like to eat in Palm Beach?
Ta-boo
What’s your favorite city?
New York City – there’s just so much there.
