| Born in Maine, USA on June 19, 1930, Jessica Gagnon | | | | utilized man-made materials, which made her clothing |
| McClintock did not receive any formal training in design. | | | | affordable. Son Scott McClintock followed suit, creating |
| She attended Boston University in 1950 but received | | | | moderately priced dresses and sportswear that bears |
| her Bachelor of Arts degree in San Jose State | | | | the same McClintock romance, but is more defined |
| University, California in 1963. She completed and was | | | | and sophisticated. |
| awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters in the | | | | In 1986, the company was renamed Jessica |
| Academy of Arts College in San Francisco. | | | | McClintock. A year later, she introduced her first |
| McClintock was first married to Al Staples in 1949; He | | | | signature fragrance, Jessica McClintock (which |
| passed away in 1964 and she got remarried to Fred | | | | became an all-time bestseller), along with the Jessica |
| McClintock, with whom she has a son, Scott. She | | | | McClintock collection, which showcased sundresses |
| started out teaching for a number of schools, including | | | | and can-can skirts. During the 80's she designed about |
| one in Massachusetts from 1966-1968, and another in | | | | 2,500 outfits per year, most of which were aimed at |
| New York and California from 1968-1969. At the peak | | | | women in their 20s and 30s and which bore her |
| of the hippie era , she invested in the Gunne Sax | | | | trademark: feminity with an alternative yet uniquely |
| Company in San Francisco where she served as | | | | romantic edge. |
| designer for their lace-trimmed dresses. That | | | | She received numerous awards in the 80's including |
| investment brought her to what is now known as | | | | the California Designers award in 1985, the American |
| Jessica McClintock, Inc., of which she is the founder, | | | | Printed Fabrics Council Tommy and the Press |
| CEO and President. The company, which is estimated | | | | Appreciation awards both in 1986, the Dallas Fashion |
| to be $140 million, remains to be one of the | | | | award in1988 and the Merit award in Design in1989. |
| highest-ranking manufacturers of women's wear, bridal | | | | By the 1990s, the company expanded their realm to |
| gowns and accessories. | | | | that which is beyond apparel, starting with the Young |
| Starting out with "granny" dresses and lace-trimmed | | | | at Heart bed and bath line and a kitchen accessories |
| clothes, McClintock expanded her collection to prom | | | | deal with Barth & Dreyfuss, both in 1996. In 2000 |
| dresses and wedding gowns by the 1970s, | | | | they licensed a 50-piece furniture collection and a year |
| incorporating lace in all of her designs, her trademark. In | | | | thereafter, introduced area rugs. By their 30th |
| 1979, she introduced the contemporary Jessica | | | | anniversary in 1999, they have a record of 27 shops |
| McClintock line, and Gunne Sax was turned into the | | | | and 2 more fragrances under their name, Jessica and |
| little girl's division that featured teens' wear made of | | | | Jess. At the turn of the 21st century, Jessica |
| ribbons, ruffles, Victorian lace collars and ballerina skirts. | | | | McClintock established itself as one of the leading |
| In 1980, she opened her first boutique in San Francisco | | | | makers of women's apparel and accessories. It |
| where she sold accessories, cosmetics and high-end | | | | continues to create fashion that is laced with nostalgia |
| designs. She drew her inspiration for her 80's collection | | | | and mystery for any age, and has encompassed |
| from girls' dresses in the 1920's by combining intricate | | | | much more than just women's wear, gracing a variety |
| Victorian details with maternity-like silhouettes. She | | | | of product collections, from rugs to upholsteries. |