We have such a treat for you today. In celebration of this weekend’s upcoming Bridal Market in New York, we hit up one of your all time favorite gown designers to give us a sneak peak into her genius and share her crazy beautiful inspiration behind some of this year’s most beloved collections. Ms. Claire Pettibone. Or I should say the lovely, kind, gracious, and absurdly talented Claire Pettibone. SMP-ers, prepare to fall madly, madly in love…
Q: If you could plan a dream wedding around one of your gowns, what would it look like?
A: Castle gardens are quite nice, aren’t they?! Candlelit lanterns hanging from the branches of flowering trees, Persian carpets and embroidered pillows spread across the lawn under trees for lounging. Mismatched vintage china and cut crystal glasses. Flowers and moss spilling off of tables…lace edged napkins and linens…bowls of fruit…a guitar player and maybe a bunch of instruments laying around so guests with the inclination (and hopefully a bit of talent!) can join in…once the champagne kicks in…nothing beats a gorgeous garden party!
Q: What are your favorite types of fabrics to work with? Silhouettes to design?
A: French embroideries, laces, silk, cotton voile. I love fabrics with personality and detail…something that makes you look twice. Fluid, flowing, soft silhouettes that celebrate a woman’s beauty.
Q: Where do you find yourself most inspired?
A: In nature has to be number one! I love art and objects, but being outdoors I find myself most connected to the source of all creativity, and it is the best way for me to find that quiet space from which all beauty flows.
Q: Tell us more about the collection itself, the creative process, the execution, the final result?
A: I was doing some spring cleaning, and came across my grandmother’s wedding dress in its archival box. I guess she was just on my mind, and I thought it would be really cool to design a collection inspired by her china that we use for special holidays, and vintage china in general. The delicate floral patterns, gold rims, etc. I found this French jacquard woven ribbon that looks so much like hand painted china, and used it for the waist of Abbey and Waverly. Eloquence reminds me of the very delicate gold rims of fine china and crystal. Once I have a story in mind, the fabrics and trimmings are the next step, and from there, the dresses begin to come together.
Coming up next…a stunning first look in Claire’s most lovely collections to date. Eeek!
Photography: Nataliya Studios / Sketches + Styling: Claire Pettibone / Floral Design: Lilla Bello Studio / Wedding Cake: Superfine Bakery / Invitations: Figmint Design / Table Settings: The Vintage Table Co. / Makeup: Stephanie Lawrence