A Tale of Two Ladies: Fashioning the American Style
Jack Smith, a professor in the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film at Texas State University, guided listeners on a captivating journey through history with fashion. He illuminated Jackie Kennedy’s deliberate fashion choices and their significant impact on the cultural landscape of the 1960s. Professor Smith explained to the audience how Lady Bird Johnson infused her innate elegance into her public persona, thereby influencing the realm of fashion as well. With each carefully chosen ensemble, Jackie Kennedy became an icon of grace and sophistication, setting trends that resonated far beyond the White House. Her clean lines, bold colors and classic silhouettes redefined what it meant to be a fashionable First Lady. Meanwhile, Lady Bird Johnson’s style was a testament to her deep-rooted Texan charm, blending practicality with a touch of refinement. Her love for floral prints and vibrant hues reflected her passion for nature and her commitment to beautifying America.
Professor Smith delved into the ways these two remarkable women used fashion not only as a personal expression but as a powerful tool for diplomacy and influence. Jackie’s chic pillbox hats and tailored suits became synonymous with modern elegance, while Lady Bird’s understated yet sophisticated attire conveyed warmth and approachability. Together, they crafted a narrative of American style that embraced both innovation and tradition, inspiring generations to come.
The lecture concluded with a reflection on how the legacies of Jackie Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson continue to shape contemporary fashion, reminding us that style is not just about clothing, but an expression of identity and cultural values.
Photographs provided by Shannon West of The San Marcos Daily Record.
Jack A. Smith is a costume designer, educator, and historian whose work is fueled
by a deep love for storytelling and cultural heritage. Throughout a career
spanning educational and regional theaters across the United States, Jack has
enjoyed the collaborative process of bringing characters to life. He finds magic in
the intimate details, working closely with actors, dancers, and directors to ensure
every stitch helps tell a more complete story for the audience.
Beyond the stage, Jack has an intense passion for the history of dress which
allows him to explore the values and ideals of various cultures through their
clothing. An avid museumgoer and researcher, he has spent countless hours
worldwide working with various museums studying and documenting the details
of the intricate construction and decoration of historical artifacts. From 16th-
century patterns to 20th-century embellishments, Jack translates these findings
into both his design work and his classroom teaching tools.
Jack’s creativity also flourishes through quilting, both as a personal craft and a
form of activism. Notably, he created a monumental quilt celebrating the San
Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s “Lavender Pen Tour.” This massive work honored
the chorus’s 40th anniversary as well as serving as a vehicle for deep
conversations with dozens of volunteer quilters about the place members of the
LBGTQ+ community fill in their lives. The quilt pieced together the geography of
the tour through seven state blocks and one hundred and forty-seven friendship
stars, serving as a catalyst for dialogue and community connection within the
LGBTQ+ community
