Le Blog

Beauty in the Details

Jun 26, 2018

I know there seems to be a trend towards minimalism in bridal (see Duchess Meghan as exhibit A), and while I can appreciate that simple can be quite elegant, I just can’t let go of textures and details. I’ve never been one for trends in any case. When I started designing wedding dresses, I did things completely against the grain…no strapless ballgowns for me! In the years that have followed, my vision of a relaxed, feminine, and slightly bohemian wedding dress has now turned out to be a trend itself! But even now, I walk that line of believing that you should wear what feels right to you, and ignore any rules you please, with a kind of old-fashioned belief that a wedding gown should be timeless. When I say timeless, I don’t mean boring, or even classic necessarily, I just mean that it should be YOU, and that when you look back 5, 10, even 20 years from now, you won’t be able to instantly label it with a year, but rather, it will still shine as uniquely you.

These images kind of capture this essence to me…lace and silk, soft light and black and white mixed with dreamy color. Sexy and modern meets who-knows-when vintage beauty. French embroidery, tiny seed pearls, sleeves, and flowing long trains. Illusion backs, covered silk buttons, graceful patterns and romantic styling…there’s just no way I’m giving this up!

Claire Pettibone Couture Sahara Lace Wedding Dress Claire Pettibone Couture Snow Lace Wedding Dress Claire Pettibone Couture Pearle Lace Wedding Dress

In Bloom with Gypsy Rose

Jun 21, 2018

When I think of a garden wedding, of course, my first thought is flowers. And since the outdoors is one of my favorite settings for a wedding, I often design gowns that would be perfect in a garden. Flowers are such beautiful and endless inspiration for embroidery and lace patterns. When I design with a floral motif, I envision the bride as the epitome of nature’s beauty.

Gypsy Rose for me is the ultimate expression of the garden theme…layers of embroidered tulle, hints of sage and blush, and yes, flowers blooming in her footsteps. It is as if the garden has sprung to life, and the bride is the Goddess causing it all to grow and flourish around her.

Although an outdoor wedding is the obvious choice for a floral wedding dress, an indoor setting can be a striking contrast. This can be a gorgeous way to bring nature’s gifts inside, and in some ways makes the feminine quality of the bride stand out against the man-made structure. Of course it doesn’t hurt to have stunning textures and gorgeous details as found in this Italian villa! What a dream…hope it inspires you to incorporate flowers into your wedding dress whether you are having an outdoor or indoor wedding.

Claire Pettibone Gypsy Rose Couture Wedding Gown

Silver Horizon

Jun 12, 2018

I’ve always loved incorporating color into wedding dresses, and over the years, it’s become my signature. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a classic Ivory gown as well, but color can be a beautiful way to express your individual style and sets the tone for a unique wedding.

Horizon, from the Vagabond couture collection, incorporates shades of ivory and silver. Starting with the multi-colored silver French embroidery with a metallic thread wrapped around the yarn outlining the motif for a touch of shimmer, which is layered over a delicate grey Chantilly lace, and finally, lined in Ivory silk charmeuse.

Claire Pettibone Horizon Couture Wedding Gown And for the latest White Album collection, I re-interpreted this stunning silhouette in all Ivory…gorgeous as well, and with a touch of that metallic thread, so it shimmers too. Which one will you choose? Both color options will be here at the Flagship Salon June 29th-30th, so come see for yourself!