Recently qualified and bursting with a determined enthusiasm, Claire swept into Vogue House clutching a sample of her designs in search of advice. The experts at Vogue, charmed by her audacity and impressed with her art led designs, suggested she exhibit her knitwear at several of the main season fashion shows. Employing this advice Claire positioned her knitwear label, Claire International, firmly in the fashion spotlight; exhibiting at major fashion shows in London and New York. The subsequent exposure allowed her talent to be formally acknowledged and in she was invited to join the Design Studio – a select group of some of the most promising British designers.
The Art of Dressing
Over the past three decades Claire’s knitwear has maintained the innovative edge that secured her status as one of Britain’s most promising young designers. Producing two key collections a year, Claire approaches her designs with an artist’s perspective allowing her to be inventive with the contours and finishes of her knitwear. However, her ability to adopt an intellectual approach to her artistic flair ensures that her designs remain on trend, classic and versatile. Claire combines the same intellectual attitude with a more holistic approach when presenting Claire i.d.entity, her inspiring art led image consultancy.
House of Claire
When you step into Claire’s town house premises in the heart of Barnard Castle’s developing Artisan Quarter you discover an entrance lobby to a world where fashion, lifestyle and art collide in spectacular style. A Dickensian listed building with a vibrant history, Number 29 the Bank exudes charm and acts as the ideal setting to indulge in the luxurious knitwear that adorns its space. With antique character and an art house atmosphere Claire’s studio transforms effortlessly into a cosmopolitan venue to enjoy the exclusive Claire I.d.entity events and workshops organised throughout the year. From Champagne cocktail evenings in the garden to fashion shows introducing the new season’s collection, Claire’s town house is an enchanting destination in which to indulge in fashion, culture and style.
The Art of Dressing (cont.)
With thirty years experience, Claire’s designs have an air of maturity and integrity that is well respected among both clients and commentators - yet her art led designs continue to challenge our common perceptions of knitwear. Equipped with a small army of knitters to aid her, Claire undertakes all aspects of the design process from trend prediction to putting the finishing touches to each custom made garment. Such an intimate design process allows her to offer the ultimate personal service to her clients who are able to talk with her at every stage of their purchase to ensure that their garments are tweaked to perfection. This meticulous approach to service allows Claire to lead her customers on a bespoke journey – a special opportunity for client and designer to interact. Only the purest cotton yarn is sourced to produce each garment and once knitted this soft yarn provides Claire’s clothing with a luxurious quality whilst retaining the durability and longevity that her customer s have learnt to expect.
The "who, what, why".
Keen to expand her art led approach and her fashion know how into areas of image and style management Claire established Claire I.d.entity – an inspirational image consultancy. As a qualified Image Coach, Claire uses her wealth of experience to guide clients through a range of professional consultations whilst her knowledge based approach ensures that clients discover the, “what why and how of fashion.” By respecting each client’s individuality and by examining their specific lifestyle, needs and motivation she adopts a holistic manner to provide valuable style management advice that is tailored to each individual’s requirements. In doing so Claire’s image consultancy encourages clients to embark on a journey of self discovery; a range of services from colour and style analysis to personal shopping and bespoke product design enable clients to customize their own Claire I.d.entity experience. This is a truly unique and empowering opportunity in which to work alongside an artist and designer to develop a personal sense of style.
