Claire Barker's 'A Fine Romance' Collection

Old world charm and sophistication dominate Claire Barker’s “ladylike” spring summer 09 collection.

A Fine Romance –The Collection pays tribute to the past with a pretty pastel palette, delicate fabrics and a modern twist on the 1950s silhouettes of screen icons Audrey Hepburn and Vivien Leigh.

Claire Barker’s love affair with dresses is evident throughout the range which makes no excuses for its dedication to femininity. Each piece is a celebration of old world glamour with shapes that flatter the body and convey a sense of effortless chic.

Luxury ruffle detailing, narrow waists, puff bottoms and dainty bows are the whimsical signatures of the past modernised and married with the simplicity, elegance and minimalism of today in soft pastel hues with exquisite fabrics.

“I have placed a lot of emphasis on delicate fabrics this season such as chiffon - it is a wonderfully light fabric for summer and has a nice flow which drapes beautifully on the body. I’ve always enjoyed wearing light chiffon silk because it is very romantic, feminine and sexy and I wanted to convey these feelings in the pieces I created,” she says.

Claire Barker says she designed this collection with practicality in mind because today women need to get more out of a dress than they’ve had to in the past. A Fine Romance – The Collection features classic pieces that have been created to work with existing wardrobe staples.

“For that reason I’ve kept the designs simple, the fabrics durable, the palette timeless and most of all the range affordable. I truly believe that every garment in this collection will convey for its wearer an image of effortless chic for many seasons to come.”

Claire Barker says her garments are for modern women who want to be feminine and sexy without ever feeling overstated.

“I get so much satisfaction out of working with beautiful things and I love hearing about how my clothes make a women feel when they put them on,” she says.

Claire Barker’s new collection is available in-store at ‘Claire Barker’, located right in the heart of Auckland’s fashion district on O’Connell St.