A morning appointment at the wonderful location at the Ripetta Street at place that from the first minute made us feel very welcome. Situated on the fourth floor of a classic Roman building of Liberty style. We enter a minimalist style show – room so elegant in its details and with a light so bright that comes straight through the white wooden beams of the roof that don’t go unnoticeable in this space. This is where Claire works and where we meet for this interview.
(Photo gallery)
Claire has the appearances of a “British” woman but Italian in the heart. She makes it clear from the beginning that she speaks for herself, she actually shows up wearing her own designs. A classic- cut silk white shirt, grey androgyny style trousers with black cuffs. (One of her staple designs) and some loafers with a very particular low heel.
(Photo gallery)
She starts by telling us funny stories about her life, about her career and the story behind her label and her company the “Claire Crowley Portable and Collectable L.T.D” That was founded in Great Britain about 20 years ago..
Born in Rome raised in London. She tells us, that as a child she would often sit with her parents in Via Veneto watching the real protagonists of the “Dolce Vita Romana” walking by, getting in and out the famous “Caffe de Paris” It’s that casual look which in the same time was “studied” to be perfect that fascinates Claire. She takes in all this spirit and by that, she is inspired to create her own style later. When she was a little girl she would entertain herself by playing with clothes. She has always loved to mix them up improvise with different looks for her and her friends. She was going around with this “piece” in her bag that she would take out the last minute to always be perfectly dressed from early in the morning, for a cappuccino at the coffee place, to an professional lunch, to a dancing night out. Not having to waste time stopping by her house to change!!
This is how the “capsule collection” is born garments that are portable and collectable. Clothes that can adapt to your style for every occasion! An affordable brand of comfortable clothes that won’t wrinkle or get easily damaged.
The philosophy that defines Claire’s style is: combine useful with elegant and the freedom of being able to improvise with your style by grabbing a piece out of your bag and change your style according to which ever adventure the day may bring you! Women have to be ready for every occasion, happy to always feel well dressed but without having to try too much! In a world of businesswomen who travel a lot and with limited time, and who no longer have the desire to window shop, in this particular label they can find unique , timeless fashionable pieces of clothing that have been designed to be mixed and matched. Garments that last forever, always in your wardrobe!
All made in Italy. The quality in the materials is essential to her. For her staple pieces she uses: high quality jerseys, silk, technical neoprene, and eco- leather that feel silky. All the fabrics contain elastin, so that they fit better. All her pieces have to be easily and discretely carried in a handbag or in a cabin-size suitcase. About fabrics, Claire says, not knowing anymore where the real leathers come from, she now prefers to use different materials because they are better in quality, they are more comfortable and easier to wear.
She only designs women’s clothes (although sometime in the future she would like to add a note of Men’s, jackets in particular ) she was first known for her coats, jackets and blazers that still enjoys making, but has also added dresses shirts and trousers to her collections. Claire names her garments according to the inspirations of the moment she was designing it. For example one of her staple dress named “Stella” takes its name after the daughter of one of her friends that was born that same day she was designing it. Or her “Comino” shirt is created coming back from a wonderful vacation in Sardinia, at this little place named “Capo Comino”
(Photo gallery)
Accurate tailoring completes the look. All of this researched and packaged in the most perfect environment: Italy. She talks to us about those small family run-businesses that continue to exist in the Italian craftsmanship that has rendered us unique in time. Like this third generation handcraft tailor shop that she employs for her production, where one mother and her children started working on a few clothes in their kitchen, and now they are tailoring for the most famous Italian labels.
She produces 15/20 designs in each collection and around 500 pieces each season. Her sizes are between 40-44 but she makes it clear that if a store wants to carry a special size she will easily deliver it. She has included 5-6 staple designs. She also addresses to the South African market watches the fabrics and sells her remaining stock.
Claire prefers to place her clothes only in extraordinary boutiques that reflect her philosophy. Those would be multi brand shops where international designers co-exist.
In Rome her collection is found at “Chez moi” – At Josephine de la Huertas- and at “Farella” which is a store inside the hotel “De Roussie”. In London, “The cross” boutique and also in Milan for the first time this season in the “Choses”. In all of those boutiques the service to the clients is personal and the shop assistants, particularly in London, prepare the dress boxes according to the tastes of their clients. The ladies that visit those stores are able to take their time trying on the pieces they pick, even say when they go away for the weekend and then decide if they will purchase them or bring them back. This philosophy will soon change the shopping process in the stores. More freedom. More freedom of choice.
Claire, is not fashion-oriented, she is not inspired by the fashion trends, she wouldn’t like to lose her personal unique style. Maybe just one item in an entire collection might have some latest fashion details. She is mostly a fan of those designers that create very feminine clothes. Simple with clear classic lines. Furstenberg and Paul Smith are some examples of her favorite designers.
As we speak she presents us two coats with very unusual details like a pocket, in that black cashmere and wool coat that transforms into a smart “pouchette” or that other one in natural brown raffia on which you can play with the collar by zipping it in or out.
(Photo gallery)
Claire believes in “strength is in unity” in this concept antagonism among designers shouldn’t exist, because everybody is always inspired by someone else, but still keeping their individual style. She really counts in working together with others. She in fact is the soul behind the “shopping party Roma” designers event, where she organizes private sales and special fashion events for her clients. It all takes place at the wonderful location of Via Mercadente when for years now, 23 different exhibitors – accessories, fashion, jewelry designers of all kinds, meet. Claire is also in the works of a fashion show in Naples, in collaboration with a textile and fabric designer, an artistic and fashion event.
Claire is a true contemporary designer that understands the needs of the modern woman. Everything in her company is still under her control she hasn’t hired distributors, agents or a public relations company, she likes to personally attend to all of her clients. In the mean time she is a mother of three who has never neglected her professional creativity.
Claire Crowley will do us the honor of naming a piece the “Spagnolita Elite” to be sold exclusively to the customers of our blog “personalized retail section”, that will book a showing appointment. To do that, send an e-mail to: info@spagnolita.com
Request: personalized shopping and styling in Rome Claire Crowley show -room in the subject box.
A unique shopping experience that is tailored to your needs, where we help to create your personal style by selecting clothes from our exclusive collections!
For more information on this designer visit her webpage : www.clairecrowleyportable.com Or her Facebook page.
For online shopping of a selection of her designs visit www.thegallerya.com
A special thanks to Claire Crowley for taking the time for this interview!
Mayura Malenotti
English
