Alumnae

'69 Grad Finds Dad's Shoes a Comfortable Fit!

Claudia Robert of
Claudia's Career Apparel and Uniforms

Seconds after the door chime announces your arrival at Claudia’s Career Apparel and Uniforms, an adorable little lady with sharp green eyes, big fluffy hair, and an even bigger smile, bounces towards you with an outstretched hand.

“Hi, I’m Claudia—and you look familiar…What’s your name?”

Before you leave the shop, you [like I did] may learn that she does indeed know you, or at the very least, “your people.” You see, Claudia comes from a big family. And they are all just as personable as she is.

So, how did this little dynamo end up in the clothing business? Easy. She’s simply carrying on her father’s legacy.

When Claudia Robert was about seven-years-old, her father, Claude Robert, Sr., a true visionary, began buying “irregular,” or “slightly imperfect” men’s suits directly from the factory and selling them at discounted prices from a little shop on Duels Street in the 7th Ward. [Complete with a seamstress, who made meticulous alterations.]

When word got out about Claude’s suits, area politicians, doctors and lawyers began frequenting the store, where they’d sit around laughing and talking “shop” while awaiting their turn.

"Daddy was a front-runner in the salvage business, if you think about it." says Claudia. "There are so many discount stores that sell 'irregulars' today, but Daddy's shop was the first of its kind back then."

Beyond men's suits, Claude also began buying damaged canned goods and selling them for about 10 to 25 cents per can. "Daddy opened a little store that he stocked with dented canned goods he'd purchase from a place called 'Samuel's Salvage.' Many neighborhood people who had no transportation to the discount supermarkets, and couldn't afford the higher prices of the corner grocery, began frequenting Daddy's store where they could stock up on canned goods for little money."

Always under his foot, Claudia learned everything about running a successful business from watching her dad. One of her most important lessons was to always be pleasant and friendly with the customers, which came easily to both Claude and Claudia.

So, it was no wonder that when Claude retired, Claudia took over the family business, adding women’s suits in 1992 and changing the name to Claudia's Career Apparel.

Claudia, responding to the growing needs of her customers, soon began carrying the uniforms worn by most of the parochial and public schools in the area. She stocks everything from blouses, jackets, blazers, caps, windbreakers, and sweaters, to those hard-to-find saddle oxfords. And for those parents who like to get their children’s uniform shopping out of the way early, the store even offers a lay-away plan.

More recently, the shop has begun carrying choir robes, and monogrammed or silk-screened sweats. Claudia will also gladly order just about anything that you or your organization requires.

Although over the years Claudia has experienced her share of ups and downs, she eagerly attributes her success to her faith in God, which she points out, was instilled in her by the Sisters of the Holy Family. “When things don’t go as well as I’d like, I don’t panic, because I know God has a plan for me. So, I just keep on pushing!”

She also credits the Sisters with instilling in her a strong work ethic.

“The love and guidance I received at the hands of the Sisters played a major part in who I am today. I am eternally grateful for the education, and life’s lessons I received at St. Mary’s Academy."

With a twinkle in her eyes, Claudia reminisces about having to clean up around school to pay off her demerit debts more than a few times.

“Oh yes, I polished my share of lockers and picked up paper on the grounds.”

Claudia believes that working off demerits was an important form of discipline because it helped instill in the girls a sense of pride in their campus, while teaching them that there are consequences for inappropriate behavior. It’s a lesson that will follow them, as it did her, for life.

Any alum needing business attire, choir robes or school uniforms, are urged to support our Maryite sister, Claudia Robert.

Claudia’s Career Apparel is located at
9820 Lake Forest Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70127
Phone—504-245-4661
Fax- 504-245-4188