LOVELY & “SWEET” WEDDING DRESSES
Text, J.Ecochard, Most Images Courtesy of Designer
We stopped by Claire Pettibone’s bridal suite for a quick look-see of her SPRING 2009 collection. This limited nine dress follow-up to the gorgeous Roaring 20’s style, twenty-seven gown runway collection staged last October (that had some of the most stunning hand embroideries seen anywhere) graciously adds to the creator’s elegant repertoire.
The suite was crammed with dresses and buyers-and we were reminded how key gowns from Pettibone’s line can be worn to fancy swank soirees. Luckily, we grabbed a few minutes with the busy designer and her debonair husband, Guy Patrick Tolay-President and CEO of the company.
INSPIRATION: “I was looking at wedding cakes…spun sugar, sparkle, layering, and embellishments for very feminine, fresh, young pretty dresses with little touches of color.”
OUR TAKE: Several dresses are consciously 19th century, Josephine Bonaparte silhouette-with pale tinged satin ribbons gracefully defining a forgiving Empire –ish profile. Chantilly lace ruffled layers in a tea stain color and pale lace roses on veils evoked images of languid afternoon garden weddings. The most luscious samples have names like “Meringue” and “Cloisonne.”
FABRICS: “A big issue” says Tolay as there is a limited supply of the high-end textiles his wife uses. “Typically, a dress takes three (plus) months from start-to-finish…and sometimes the French, Italian and English fabrics Claire uses cannot be re-ordered.”
Which is a good thing. After all, who wants to see THEIR dress on someone else?
RETAIL: Kleinfeld’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and upscale bridal salons. Priced $2000-$10,000.
ALSO HAS: Lingerie line that is equally worthy.