Tell us about your business.

Claire’s Collection was founded to fit the niche market of couture quality one of a kind evening gowns, that are “wearable art.” The use of sophisticated fabrics, including chantilly lace, washed silks, etc., and hand-beaded embellishments makes the collection truly unique in design, silhouette, and overall look. International travel to textile shows, art viewings, and multi-themed inspirations, from the whimsical to the sober, make every seasonal collection diverse and varied. We are always working toward making cutting-edge innovations in this arena, where the latest technology, whether in the fabric weaving, or multifacceting of stones, helps moves us forward into more advanced areas of couture. We constantly strive to achieve nuances of subtle sophistication and give our clients the most beautiful gowns possible.

What divisions do you carry?

We carry pageant gowns, which gives the client the unique opportunity to get exactly what she desires in fabric, silhouette, and style; couture special occasion gowns, which are geared to celebrity clientele; and couture made-to-order bridal fashions. Our celebrity gowns  (worn by the likes of Sandra Bullock, Cindy Crawford, Halle Berry, and Shania Twain, to name a few) are usually the piece de resistance of the collections.

Who is your main designer?

We have a creative team of collaborators, with Rita Mezrahi as creative director and Dinesh Chandrasena as designer.

What size ranges do you offer?

Size 0 and up, and also custom measurements.

What intrigued you to originally enter the fashion industry?

Claire Mezrahi, the founder of the company, wanted to create a company that would offer the most varied and beautiful gowns, to clients who want a unique one of-a-kind creations. Her daughter Rita Mezrahi, whose love of fashion proved a huge asset, took over the reigns of the company, and today she oversees the direction of the collections, making innovative decisions that move the company forward to greater heights of creativity.

Where do you find your design inspirations?

The arts, including the ballet, and theater are a huge inspiration. Seeing the most beautiful costumes and feeling the mood of a production, whether it be Sleeping Beauty by the Royal Ballet in London, seeing Macbeth, with it’s darkly grand and almost over powering costumes, serves as great inspiration for us. International travel to sun-drenched Portofino, Italy, mythical Rome, innovative London, and the mecca of couture Paris, makes for diverse looks, trims, and colors being introduced into the collections. Vintage movies-such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Sabrina, where the waif-like presence of Audrey Hepburn seems to epitomize high elegance and inborn style, and Gilda, a classic in which Rita Hayworth simply exudes sensuality-all serve to inspire us. Great photo works from Demachellier and Lebowitz, together with vintage couturiers like Jean Lanvin, Christobal Balenciaga, and Paul Poiret show us that great styles are simply timeless. They all serve as inspiration for our collections.

Where do you see your business and industry trends heading?

Claire’s Collection has been creating beautiful gowns for 22 years, and we strongly believe that we will continue the same philosophy and principles into the coming years. As a whole, the fashion industry is moving into being more individualized and customer-oriented than ever.

Why do you continue to love what you do?

The satisfaction of creating beautiful gowns that make our clients “winners” in every arena is something that makes the entire process truly rewarding!