Finding aid for the Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design Records, Series II
Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design
Title: Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design Records, Series II
Dates: 1924-1979
Extent: 0.10 linear feet (1 container)
Abstract: The Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design was a Cleveland, Ohio, dressmaking, tailoring and fashion design school founded in 1925 by Amanda Wicker, primarily for young African-American women. Wicker retired and sold the school in 1979, which was still in operation in 1990. The collection consists of certificates, proclamations and awards related to the education, business, and philanthropic interests of Amanda Wicker, the school's owner.
MS Number MS 4605
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

History of Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design

The Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design (f. 1925) was a Cleveland educational institution developed for the instruction of needle arts and fashion primarily for young African American women. Founder Amanda Wicker (b. 1900) was born in Sandersville, Georgia, and educated in Home Economics at the Tuskegee Institute. Upon graduation, she apprenticed in the dressmaking salon of Addie R. Clarke in Washington, D.C., then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband in 1924. Initially Wicker taught dressmaking in her home, but the classes quickly grew in size to warrant a school which she named after her former mentor. In 1939 the school began hosting annual fashion shows to raise money for scholarship funds. Soon after this the school was certified and the first graduation was held in 1946. Thirty two years later friends and former students of Wicker created the "Friends of Amanda Wicker" organization which raised funds to establish the Amanda Wicker Scholarship administered through the Cleveland Scholarship Program and first presented in 1980. Wicker retired and sold the school in 1979. At this time, it offered courses in drafting, tailoring, basic sewing, pattern making, couture dressmaking, and fashion design. Merchandising courses were anticipated by new owner Mattie Hemphill. The school was still in operation in 1990.

Scope and Content

The Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design Records, Series II, 1924-1979, consist of certificates, proclamations and awards related to the education, business and philanthropic interests of Amanda Wicker (1900-1987), the school's owner

This collection primarily pertains to Amanda Wicker and the Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design. It is most important for researchers interested in African-American women in business, education, and civic affairs.

Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by document type, then chronologically, and is maintained in two folders.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Related Material

Researchers should also consult MS 4490 Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design Records.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

African American business enterprises -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
African American fashion designers -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
African American women -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
African Americans -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design.
Costume design -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Dressmaking -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Wicker, Amanda, 1900-1987.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4605 Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design Records, Series II, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Estate of Amanda Wicker c/o Constance Hunt, 1987.

Processing Information

Processed by Samuel W. Black in 1992.