Romance and beauty were at the core of every design created by CFDA member Jessica McClintock, who died last month at age 90.

Born in Presque Isle, Maine, near the Canadian border, McClintock was creatively gifted and adventurous from a young age. She attend Boston University and graduated from San Jose State University. After a career in teaching and two marriages, she moved west and, in a transformative career move, invested in clothing label Gunne Sax.

Many special moments in women’s lives were marked by McClintock’s touch—from christenings to engagements and weddings – through her fashion designs but also accessories, home décor, and fragrance.

Freestanding Jessica McClintock retail boutiques brought this “signature” lifestyle to her loyal customers, who often shared their emotional connection to the designs in letters; she celebrated a half-century in business last year.

“Romance,” she firmly believed, “is beauty that touches the emotional part of our being.”

McClintock initially presented calico prints and long, flowing prairie style dresses but as she immersed herself into the business, the aesthetic evolved with a more Edwardian and Renaissance touch and a sense of naturalness that particularly resonated in San Francisco. By 1970, she was the sole owner of Gunne Sax.

In 2013, McClintock quietly retired and ceased her manufacturing and retail store operations – but realizing the continued demand for her beautiful creations, she made another transformative move with her son Scott, and embraced a licensing model that allowed the Jessica McClintock brand to continue flourishing.

She and Scott also created the Jessica McClintock Foundation to support global environmental causes.

Jessica McClintock is survived by her son and extended family. A celebration of her life is planned in San Francisco for later this year.