Claire Pettibone

For the woman who dreams of pure poetry in motion, Los Angeles designer Claire Pettibone will indulge her every romantic inclination. Born to artist parents, it was inevitable that Claire would enter a creative field. She spent her early childhood living in rural New York in a nineteenth century home where her parents created their art, and Claire began to draw and paint as well. At the age of 4, she attended a wedding at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan that left a lasting impression. Claire was so enthralled with that walk down the aisle, that she began drawing brides and begged her mother to make her a wedding gown!

After graduating from Otis Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles with a degree in fashion design, she and her husband Guy Toley set out to bring Claire's ethereal vision to the world of fashion. The company began with a luxurious collection of fine lingerie featuring delicate laces and the special details that have become Pettibone's signature.

As fate would have it, Claire designed a bridal gown for a dear friend. Word spread and clients began flocking to Claire's flagship salon in Beverly Hills. A few years later, Pettibone launched her bridal collection in New York to rave reviews. Featured in countless bridal magazines ever since, the designer has developed a following of brides looking for a truly unique and timeless creation. She has quickly risen to the top of her field, and the collection is now carried in premiere bridal salons across the country and around the world.

"A wedding gown has to be the most beautiful dress in a woman's life, make her look and feel amazing, and capture her essence," says Pettibone who manages to achieve this complicated and extraordinarily special task. Her gowns have a vintage quality, but the references are combined in a way that is truly modern. "When I create a dress, it's all about the fabric and the woman, and how these elements are combined to enhance each other," says Pettibone who works exclusively with couture European embroideries and laces. “So many brides want an intimate and individual feeling for their wedding, and the dress really sets the tone," says Pettibone who has created gowns for ceremonies in castles, forests, beaches and gardens in addition to the traditional church and hotel ballroom.

And who says a wedding gown has to be snow-white? Pettibone uses subtle tints of champagne and antique lace to illuminate the bride in a soft glow. Often inspired by vintage fabrics and fashion history, this designer has found a way to meld her love of things past with a new perspective that results in the perfect dress for the bride to enchant her guests as she walks down the aisle.

Claire resides in Los Angeles with her husband Guy Toley, and their daughter Lorelei. And, yes, her mother did make her a wedding dress!

This is a small sample of Claire Pettibone's dresses that are currently available in our sale section. For a more extensive range, please visit Claire's website www.clairepettibone.com

Boutique opening hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-3pm Sunday & Monday: Closed

Appointments outside of these hours can be arranged by request

We will be closed from Friday, 18th December and back on Tuesday, 5th January 2010