The story of the career of a leading American dress designer, the founder of Hawes, Inc., home of distinctive clothes, for those who can afford them. Training and work in Paris, the beginnings of her own business, outside jobs. Much of interest for women here, fashion versus style, the expensiveness of cheap clothes, the aims and ideals of a couturiere, the place and future of American designers, the expose of the French legend, ideas on men's clothes, etc. She takes pokes at the Iares and penates of the fashion world. Informally written -- interesting reading from unique angle.