We’re going to be mixing the schedule up a little over the next few weeks and taking more of a bridal fashion focus. This time of year, designers are super busy launching their Spring/Summer 2017 collections. These are the gowns that will be gracing the boutique shop windows from September on this year – the dresses the boutique owners will be investing in so that all you beautiful brides marrying in 2017 and beyond have gorgeous gowns to step into on your wedding days.
The season usually kicks off in April with New York Bridal Fashion Week (which takes place twice a year – we usually attend in October) and which is happening right now over in The Big Apple. As a consequence, my inbox is full of show invitations and collection launch images from designers – and knowing you’d want to see these gowns, we’re going to pop our usual From the Heart post on hold today so that we can share them with you.
Let’s start with the wonderful Claire Pettibone shall we? Claire has two collections, her main ‘Claire Pettibone line’, stocked extensively throughout the UK, and her diffusion line ‘Romantique‘ – a more affordable collection of gowns with certain free spirited nature. This season, Claire has turned to her home in California for inspiration.
“From the West coast beaches, and the long, windy drive along the Pacific Coast Highway to wine country and redwoods, it’s easy to see why the world is in a love affair with California.”
“Creating this Romantique collection, I was inspired by the diversity of my hometown. The City of Angels attracts beautiful people from across the globe, from every culture, searching for that ineffable dream. Growing up here was perhaps the perfect place for my own dreamer’s heart to find its way. Sunset on the beach, care-free in the breeze of a vineyard, or luxe lace mantilla style…take your pick. In California, anything goes.”
I ADORE the Coachella gown – I’m loving seeing more of a bohemian, free spirited vibe infiltrate the bridal fashion scene anyway, but this flirtatious 70’s inspired, wide sleeved gown would be so much fun for a beach wedding, or after-party when you can seriously let your hair down.
“Incorporating another aspect of the LA vibe, of course I had to give our beach babes and bohemian spirit equal time with crocheted laces, sexy backs, and sheer, red-carpet-ready accents. Legs, backs, and beach inspired details are perfect for a walk in the sand, or vows in a sun-dappled forest.”
“Our city’s Spanish roots are evident not only in the names of many of our towns and streets, but in the rich tradition of Latina culture so befitting a beautiful bride. Embellished necklines, backs and sleeves convey a refined mood, and the embroideries and scalloped laces impart a touch of celebrity glamour.”
“After countless love-letters from brides who adored my collection but didn’t quite have a couture budget, we decided to launch Romantique. It was really important to me and our company to make this collection with quality and integrity, so we chose to keep the production at home here in Los Angeles.”
“Romantique has a relaxed elegance so that a bride can really make it her own. I love that our brides don’t fit into a “type” and that my collection seems to attract the coolest, anti-zilla, girls-you-would-totally-be-friends-with.”
“The collection includes a mixture of flowing silhouettes, feminine off-the-shoulder sleeves, delicate embroidered lace, and signature stunning backs. If you’re the type of bride who prefers turquoise to diamonds, wildflowers to roses, braids to formal up-do’s, and a VW bus to a limo, this collection is for you.”
Well this collection get’s a 10/10 from me! You can find your nearest Claire Pettibone stockist through Claire’s page in our beautiful wedding directory, Little Book For Brides.
Claire Pettibone Romantique gowns are priced from approximately £1,200 – £2,000.
See anything you love ladies?
Love Annabel x
Claire Pettibone advertisers with Love My Dress.
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
Umm everything Annabel?! X x x
Hehehe! Indeed xx