Claire Pettibone 'Les Fleurs' Collection Inspires Cake Designer Kelly Gray

An eternal symbol of beauty and love, flowers are the inspiration for Claire Pettibone’s latest capsule collection. And although flowers for spring may be a cliché, there is a reason for their timeless quality; an allure that cannot be denied. Embroidered on soft  tulle, vines trail gracefully along ethereal silhouettes as blossoms bud and bloom. Touches of petal pink, dusty rose and sage green, sky blue and silver, golden buttercup, and of course, classic ivory, adorn these ethereal silhouettes. 

“Embroideries are almost like paintings for me, and choosing the colors for the threads and placing the elements on the body in a way that brings a lyrical and whimsical beauty, a breathtaking moment, as happens when those first blossoms of spring appear after a long winter…it truly never gets old to me”, shares CLaire.

“I am constantly inspired by nature, and this season I let my botanical impulses run wild. Cherry blossoms, roses and peonies appliquéd by hand, layers of silk and tulle, and intricate branches and leaves come to life in couture gowns. Having just returned from a long-awaited visit to Japan just in time for cherry blossom season, my mind is awash in floating petals! Most of my brides are married in outdoor settings, and my vision this season is to transform them into the most unforgettable floral goddesses.”

Aligning with Claire’s Les Fleurs capsule collection, LA-based cake designer Kelly Gray partnered with the designer to create three cakes that embody unique elements of her work. Each cake is adorned with an abundant array of sugar flowers, fruits, berries, with touches of playful surprises like butterflies and fresco paintings all made by hand. Kelly mirrored the collection’s color palette, using soft pastels and pops of orange and apricot to create depth and romanticism as well as gilded 24 karat gold touches for an added layer of luxury.
“It was a beautiful process to watch our creativity bounce off one another’s and to work alongside another female artist,” said Gray. “Our collaboration felt effortless as our aesthetic and love for all things beautiful melded seamlessly. It was a dream to be able to embrace the ethereal elements of Claire’s designs through my work – adding in organic details like delicate pressed sugar petals and replications of her hand appliqué blossoms.”