The Claudette Gown is one of our Atelier’s most ambitious designs, highlighting the savoir-faire of our petites mains, or “little hands”, who work meticulously to create the intricate floral design adorning the entire gown by carefully trimming, placing, and sewing each motif individually by hand using a technique called appliqué.
Designed to elegantly balance timeless, traditional silhouettes with modern, sexy, sheer details, the Claudette Gown features a slim, flattering silhouette with an almost completely sheer bodice, lined only with two slim bodice panels creating a dramatic deep plunging V neckline, a completely sheer back, sheer fitted sleeves with structured puff shoulder details, and sheer cutout side details at the hips. The base gown is cut in a sheer tulle and a sophisticated double-sided silk duchesse satin from Italy. Supple to the hand, this exceptional textile flows softly with the movement of the body while maintaining light, gentle structure that holds its shape - creating an elegant, softly tailored look
Once perfect fit of the base gown is achieved, the process of covering the entire gown in hand appliqué begins. Taking over 250 hours to complete, each motif is first trimmed from the ground of one of the highest quality embroideries in the world milled in Como, Italy. Ranging in size from about 4.5 inches down to the smallest motifs, measuring as small as 1/16th of an inch, hundreds of delicate flowers and leaves are placed and then sewn individually by hand to create a completely new pattern, mirroring itself across the front and back of both the bodice and the skirt, as well as down the length of the sleeves, The sheer center panel of the bodice is appliquéd with the tiniest, most delicate flowers, creating a light organic pattern, and the collar is adorned with flowers and leaves to create a choker-like detail.
Silk covered buttons are then sewn along the center back of the gown to disguise the zipper closure, the skirt is lined in a luxuriously soft 100% silk charmeuse, and accents of Swarovski crystals are hand-sewn to highlight the floral motifs across the entire gown, adding the perfect touch of sparkle and evoking the glamour of a bygone era.
Bespoke, made to your measurements with three fittings in our San Francisco Atelier.
