Continuing our journey through the lands of the fae, we find ourselves mystified by the magic imbued in each dress. Jewels of whimsy that frolic about the rays of the sun and moon. Floating wisps of silver tumbling with regal accents of gold. Streams of silk with glimmers of opalescent petals. As the woodland songs grow clearer, won’t you embrace the lull of the fairy realms?

“It was a joy to revisit the effervescent creatures that inspired this season’s collection.

Luminescent wings, drops of dew on a rose, the colorful glow of the sun dissolving into the moon. Glittering sequins, beads, pearls and crystals dazzle and sparkle. An ethereal wedding gown in moon-lit gold and spun silver, shimmers between reality and another world. Night settles in the forest, the moon rises, and the fairies come out to dance and play.” – Claire Pettibone

to be continued…

Illustrations: The Fairy Circus, Arthur Rackham

I can’t remember a time before fairies. I would play for hours in the meadows and streams of my childhood, making dresses of leaves and petals for the sprites I imagined lived in the woods. One of my favorite childhood books was called The Fairy Circus, written in 1933. It had been my grandmother’s, then my mother’s, and now I am sharing it with my little Lorelei. The gorgeous illustrations of the fairy queen seemed so magical and luminous…just the way I imagine a bride to be on her wedding day.

There is one week left til our bridal runway show in New York and we are unable to keep our excitement inside the design studio anymore! From now til the day of the show, we are sharing a few of Claire’s inspiration and behind the scene photos.

Expect to see enchanting colors on the runway as our Spring 2011 theme is inspired by mystical fairies!

CPBoutique.com Giveaway on Project Wedding

To celebrate the relaunch of our online boutique, we are offering one lucky winner a chance to win a $300 value gift certificate on cpboutique.com!

Giveaway deadline is Monday, August 30th, so hurry and check the article on Project Wedding for details to enter. Good luck!

(please do not leave comments here, but at Project Wedding to be considered.)

Photography:  Anthony Scibelli // Dress: Theodora // Salon: Kleinfeld

I am simply in awe of these whimsical and fanciful photos from Jane Elizabeth’s April 26th, 2009 wedding. “We were married in Hepburn Springs, AUSTRALIA on the coldest April day in 57 years. It was a very rare weather weekend for Australia with a high of only 30 degrees.” Says Jane about her destination wedding adventure. “But both having lived in Europe together, my husband and I were well prepared for the very unexpected cold.”

Regardless of the chilly weather, Jane still looks radiant and full of elation as she glides about the illusory garden. “I adored wearing my ‘Theodora’ dress and I could not wait to walk down the aisle so my husband could finally see it. ‘Theodora’ made me feel effortlessly elegant and our guests commented that they had never seen a wedding dress like it.”

‘Theodora’ features silver lace tiers layered over pearl silk with jeweled pearl neckline, fitting marvelously with Jane’s wedding theme. “The theme of our wedding was ‘vintage travel’, a perfect combination of our two loves. The colour palette was very soft and neutral which really set the tone of our vintage wedding.”

Jane also added, “Claire Pettibone clearly understands true feminine beauty and I’m so thrilled to be part of her design legacy.” We here at Claire Pettibone are equally thrilled that we were able to play a role in helping create this very special day. We wish Jane and her husband Shane all the happiness in the world!

Photos:  Jennifer Gilmore // Dress: Lalique // Salon: Claire Pettibone Flagship Salon

I just love the Midsummer’s Garden vision that Jessica Stamen was in her Lalique gown. Chas proposed in a gorgeous 18th century concert hall in Vienna. “The first thing I noticed was his accent – he’s British – and the second thing I noticed is that he is 7 feet tall. I am 5 foot 2, so we look pretty funny together,” says Jessica about the first time she met Charles (Chas) at a Halloween party.

“The minute I returned from Vienna, I began dress shopping,” says Jessica Stamen. “After many days of ogling Claire’s divine dresses on the net, I went into the adorable flagship store, and it was Cynthia who pulled the Lalique gown for me. She said she thought of it the moment I walked in, and I indeed fell in love with it the instant I put it on.”

“A little whimsical Thisby Midsummer’s Night Dream…very light and airy and with her coloring the Lalique multi was a beautiful choice for her because it brought out her beautiful hair. “I loved that it used color, and that unlike the structured or poufy dresses that crowd the marketplace, it was soft, flowing, delicate, and a bit whimsical. The dress, which features embroidered pink blossoms on green stems, and has an organic feel, became the inspiration for our enchanted garden wedding. We had centerpieces made out of manzanita branches with pink and white blooms, and pink and white lovebirds as the escort cards and atop the cake.

Jessica married Chas on November 7th, 2009 at the magical Tivoli Too in Laguna Beach. Everyone commented that not only was the dress unique and beautiful, but that it was totally “me,” which meant the world to me. Claire, thank you for creating a dress that made me feel like a beautiful bride, but still like myself.

Photos: Harrison Long // Dress: Clara // Salon: Claire Pettibone Flagship

I just love the dreamy and timeless vision that beautiful bride Sharon Lombardi radiates in these sun-swept photos by Harrison Long.  Wearing “Clara,” the Art Deco inspired drop-waisted lace sheath with jewel-encrusted silk belt and neckline, Sharon is a vision that F. Scott Fitzgerald might have conjured.

“Wearing the Clara gown made me feel so sophisticated and chic,” said Sharon, who married Tom Lombardi on October 10, 2009 in the romantic and serene setting of the Falkner vineyard which sits on the crest of a 1500 feet deep valley.

“Our female guests could not stop asking questions about my gown – where I got it and who the designer was – they all said how much they adored my dress!  Even some of the male guests who said they could not normally tell one wedding gown from another commented that my dress was so unique and memorable.  I was told later on that my dress caught the light of the setting sun just perfectly so that I “sparkled” on my entire walk down the aisle….”

Sharon purchased her gown from the Beverly Hills flagship salon with the help of her mother and salon manager Cynthia Pinot.

“Cynthia provided the best advice and excellent service.  I had a great experience and have since recommended another bride to Claire Pettibone and she also purchased a gown there for her upcoming nuptials this August! Thank you, Claire, for making the most beautiful gown I have ever worn. The photos took our breath away. We are beyond thrilled with Harrison’s artistry and how beautifully he captured the magic of our wedding day.”

We invited our soon to be brides for a cup of tea at our very special trunk show and had an amazing time.  Thanks to our sponsors for pulling this enchanted event together for our brides and inspiring us with their creativity. Take a peek at some of the magic below!

Special thanks to Harmony, owner of Bridal Bar, for our magnificent trunk show, Lydia our beautiful model and our brides for lending us their engagement rings for a couple of photos.

Photography by Miha Matei
Floral arrangements and table top design by Lilla Bello Studio
Hair & Makeup by Dollhouse Hair & Makeup Design
Sweet Treats by Sweet E’s Bake Sho

Photos: Photo by Chana and Don // Dress: Kristene // Salon: Bliss Bride

It is impossible not to see the joy of the day in the photos Jessica Kartalija gave us of her October 10,2009 wedding to Brian Anecharico. Married outside amid orange trees and blossoms at the Rancho Valencia Resort in Del Mar just north of San Diego, the wedding was exactly what Jessica hoped for and shows in her gorgeous smiles.

In a palette of deep orange, red and a splash of hot pink, the Spanish-Mediterranean theme was chosen to celebrate Brian’s Italian heritage and Jessica’s studies abroad in Seville Spain, and culminated in a beautiful ceremony serenaded by a Flamenco guitarist and a reception that had white Sangria flowing.

Jessica, who is a reporter for CBS, met Bryan three years earlier in Baltimore when she interviewed Brian for a story about “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year. A year later they ran into each other at Starbucks and the rest was history.

Of the Claire Pettibone gown (“Kristine”) she bought at Bliss Bride in Del Mar, she said, “I tried it on and bought it the same day – it was unlike any dress I had ever seen. It was important to me that I was comfortable, and able to dance and have fun, and the dress was perfect! After the ceremony, I pinned the train in back – which looked beautiful and made it easy to move! Everyone asked who the designer was, where I found it. It totally went with the Spanish them – all the intricate lace and cap sleeves. I got so many compliments on the dress – the lace and detail is amazing and the back is my favorite. My grandmother suggested I try and find a shorter version in black to wear. My mom wanted me to send the pictures to you because we were so happy with Claire Pettibone and I LOVE your designs. The lingerie is gorgeous too. The girls at Bliss Bride were so helpful. p.s. If you ever DO decide to make dresses in other colors – I am putting in an order for a black Kristine now! Love it!”

Everyone at Claire Pettibone congratulates Jessica and Brian on a beautiful wedding and wishes them all the joy of that day for years to come.