Leonie Claire graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Fashion Design. She then went on to work for Caroline Parkes, one of Britain’s most prestigious bridal designers, where she developed her skills in pattern cutting, couture wedding gown manufacture and fit.
Following her departure from this role she gained experience in the bridal boutiques fitting gowns to perfection and soaking up every detail of brides experiences and desires as they approached their wedding day.
With her experience and young fresh approach to the bridal industry Leonie opened her central Brighton salon in 2006 with top designer labels exclusive to the area. Not only that but she offers a highly personal couture service for those brides who seek something a little out of the ordinary.
A bespoke gown is a work of art. Step by step Leonie Claire will turn sketch into reality and create something truly exceptional. From initial consultation to the packing of the dress for the day, Leonie will be there every step of the way.
Prices from £2000
A Bride’s story... click image below to read more.
Most little girls dream of what their wedding dress is going to be like when they grow up. Many of us envisage Cinderella style gowns, encrusted with diamonds and pearls and a 15 foot train but, when the actual day comes to start planning the wedding of the century, the reality of choosing a wedding dress is a bit of a shock - albeit a nice shock - to the system!
What budget have you got to work to for a start (although admittedly this does tend to increase a little when you get going!), what style of dress suits your figure (often it’s the last thing you’d expect!) and what dress suits your venue. Get this all a little clear in your head and then your search can begin.
I’d initially been introduced to Leonie Claire by one of my bridesmaids who had worked with Leonie, the MD in London. You wouldn’t believe the number of awful wedding dress shops we’d been into before then – shops where you had to manoeuvre your way round electric heaters to see yourself in the mirror, shops where the sales assistants seemed perturbed that you’d come in and interrupted their days or shops that promised the world on their website but, failed to pass the grade when you visited in person.
Walking into Leonie Claire was like walking into my perfect Wonderland. You’re greeted by rows and rows of beautiful lace, silk and satin gowns; three huge floor length mirrors with enough space to parade in front of for hours on end but, best of all, the most wonderful team of ladies you can ever wish to meet. The fact that Leonie Claire bride alumni send cards, flowers and photos, not just of their big day but of their first born children is testament to the relationship the team build with their clients.
For my initial consultation, my Mum, sister and bridesmaid traipsed all the way down to Brighton from Yorkshire (you’ve got to travel to get the best!). Over a glass of champagne we poured over the big folder of magazine cuttings I’d mailed down beforehand – dresses, flowers, venues, hairstyles. Leonie took all my measurements and we agreed she’d send me some initial designs to start discussions. I felt like I waited for those drawings for a year but in reality, I think Leonie turned them round in less than a month! After choosing the style my wedding committee preferred, Leonie started work on ‘The Dress’.
The months following were a whirlwind of decisions- which silks to use, how many layers to make up the skirt, silk or cotton inside to keep me cool, train lengths, Swarovski crystals or vintage silk flowers. We kept counting down the days until our next trip to the shop – turning visits into whole weekends in lovely hotels, out for nice meals and spending time on the beach in Brighton. Leonie’s team were a joy to work with, so welcoming, enthusiastic and funny – you really felt they were putting their heart and soul into your dream dress. Leonie continued to post me beading and fabric samples while I bombarded her with emails of any further thoughts and ideas as we neared the final fitting.
Lisa Wisniowski - Lisa & Ben - June 2008
NB: If all the above sounds gushing I apologise. I’ve not been bribed to write these words but truly believe Leonie Claire is the perfect place to find your perfect dress. Just visit once and I have no doubt you’ll become one of their biggest fans too :0)
“ Thank you Leonie for making my beautiful wedding dress. I loved every minute of it from the moment i came to your lovely shop and trying on lots of gowns to deciding i wanted something a little more special, to picking up the dress the few days before the wedding. You completely understood my style and personality and you created a unique bespoke dress all for me. The dress was absolutely gorgeous and the attention to detail (the ribbon edged netting!!) was immaculate. I felt amazing in it and couldn't stop swishing and spinning all day!
Thank you to you and everyone at Leonie Claire for everything. It was such an amazing and at points an emotional experience. I just need another excuse to get another dress made!!! My mum would like to say how much she enjoyed my dress fitting sessions and she felt involved in the whole process from conception to completion. The day was magical and seeing everyone's reaction to my little girl in a beautiful dress will be something that i will remember forever. Thank you ”
“ I absolutely loved working with Leonie on my beautiful bespoke wedding dress and two bridesmaids dresses. From the minute we walked into the store, right up to collecting the dresses, we had fun, were all totally at ease and completely trusted Leonie and her team.
I had tried on tens of dresses before visiting Leonie and nothing had been quite THE dress for me. So Leonie came up with some ideas of her own and I ended up with my very own perfect, unique couture dress! As did my very lucky bridesmaids! Thank you so much – I felt so glamorous - the perfect dress topped off the perfect day ”
As I wrote the wish list for my wedding, in order of priority, my number one wish was for a ‘dress to die for’… and at the time I had no idea where I’d find it and how much of a ‘dress to die for’ I would end up wearing.
I found Leonie Claire by chance as I was walking through Brighton, the dress in the window was my kind of dress and as I went inside I knew it was my kind of shop, stylish, perfection, everything you could wish for in a wedding dress shop and I booked my first appointment straight away.
I was so excited as I arrived for my first appointment, trying on many dresses with Leonie’s undevided attention. I loved them all! Finally I found the style of dress for me but I wanted it in different colour tones. Leonie and I looked at each other both thinking the same thing… and Leonie said ‘I’ll make it’…. And so my wonderful experience of having a dress made purely for me began.
Leonie drew a sketch of everything I had in my mind and from that moment on we were on the same wave length both knowing exactly how we wanted it to look.
With every fitting it all became more and more exciting and every trip to see Leonie was a sheer delight. My friend and I could hardly wait until the next fitting to see how it looked. The silk and the lace we chose were perfect. Leonie was wonderful to work with and we became good friends, catching up with my wedding plans and life in general over coffee at every visit. I had complete trust in Leonie to create my perfect dress.
As the dress was nearly finished Leonie asked if there were any more finishing touches I would like to add.. can you imagine being in a beautiful dress shop and being told ‘you can have anything you want!’ My mind was in over drive, but I decided to stick to my original thoughts and keep it elegant and simple. However I could have asked for anything and Leonie would have created it, nothing was too much trouble for her. Leonie’s attention to detail was impeccable and every tiny detail in the dress was for me.
I miss my trips to see Leonie and to watch my beautiful dress being created, it was the nicest experience of all our wedding plans. Now I have my beautiful pictures of our wonderful day wearing my ‘dress to die for’ and I’ll always remember the gasps as my friends and family saw ‘the’ dress for the first time.
Thank you Leonie from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and my dream dress!
“ The experience of having a wedding dress made from scratch by Leonie was very special. My mother and I arrived at Leonie Claire somewhat sheepishly, with a bundle of lace we had fallen in love with and a few pencil drawings. With charm, humour and professionalism, Leonie and her staff met us on several occasions, plied us with bubbly and made our vague ideas into the most spectacular dress. There isn’t another one like it anywhere.
Leonie finished it perfectly, down to the last detail and I felt throughout that I was in safe hands. In the midst of florists, caterers and general pre-wedding madness, the dress was one thing I knew I didn’t have to worry about. I can’t recommend her and her team highly enough. ”
“ I imagine that creating a couture wedding dress for your best friend is a daunting task, but Leonie was amazing from start to finish.
Having been to numerous bridal shops in the search for ideas, I can honestly say that my experience at Leonie Claire was in another league. Even before I got engaged and would visit Leonie and the girls, I could see how they made every bride-to-be feel special and my experience was no different. I went to Leonie with a million and one ideas for my dream wedding dress and despite my indecision and confusion, Leonie met the challenge with inspiration and generousity. No sooner had I returned to the North East following my first appointment, Leonie had translated my ideas and sent me some drawings and swatches. I decided early on, that I wanted quite a simple but classy dress with hints of sparkle so we decided to have a single crystal in the centre of every button down the back of the dress. Leonie then suggested covering each button with crystals and I think that sums up Leonie and sets her apart - she really does care and wants you to feel amazing on your big day. Thank you so much! ”