Q+A with Claire Rose Cliteur
Widely known for her timeless street style and dreamy images from around the globe, Claire has grown a formidable and highly-engaged audience over the years. Her timeless aesthetic puts a focus on mixing classic pieces with effortless aplomb and an impeccable attention to detail.
What kicked off our partnership was Claire Rose 01, a striking rectangle created to take the simplest looks to the next level. Quickly following was Claire Rose 02, a unisex square perfect for daily styling whether you’re going out for a night in the city or taking a scenic countryside drive. Rounding out (quite literally) her capsule, is the Claire Rose 03, a face-hugging & flattering oval frame that’s the cherry on top for everyday looks. Though her sunglass designs speak for themselves, we sat down with Claire to gather a little behind-the-scenes insight and to speak about the different moods that have shaped her growing sunwear collection.
Claire Rose 03
Launched October 2024
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What niche does the 03 silhouette fill in your wardrobe?
After the perfect everyday shape Claire Rose 01 and the sophisticated shape Claire Rose 02, I wanted to create a vintage-inspired shape that elevated every look in an elegant way. These oval silhouette sunglasses fill a niche for versatile statement accessories in my wardrobe. They effortlessly transition from casual outings to a more elegant touch.
What influenced your choice of colors for the 03?
I chose warm, fall colors like amber, burgundy, and olive to evoke the cozy, rich tones of autumn landscapes.
Where did you draw inspiration from when developing this oval silhouette?
The oval silhouette was inspired by vintage designs, blending retro elegance with modern aesthetics. I wanted to create a timeless look that compliments various face shapes and styles effortlessly.
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After creating two successful Aperçu capsules, has your relationship with sunwear as an accessory changed at all? If so, how?
I’ve always had a weakness for sunglasses, but now I appreciate their role in enhancing personal style and the details that go into a piece much more.
What has been your favorite aspect of our partnership since launching the 01 in 2022?
The design and creating part for sure. Playing around with different lenses and colors and perfecting the designs. Secondly, seeing strangers wearing my sunglasses in the streets of New York or at an airport in Tokyo felt surreal.
Claire Rose 02
Launched March 2024
How would you describe your new 02 silhouette?
The idea for this new silhouette came from the fact that my husband always forgets his sunglasses. I wanted to create a pair that would look good on both him and her, being inclusive of all the men that steal their wife’s sunnies! The new silhouette is more sophisticated for the independent woman that dresses effortlessly chic, and for all men.
Why are sunglasses such an important part of your wardrobe?
I never leave the house without sunnies. I think sunglasses say a lot about a person. To me, they’re a chef's kiss for every look!
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Your first capsule style is known for being super chic and flattering on many different face shapes– in what ways is your new design different?
I think the new 02 silhouette is softer than my first shape— it’s totally effortless, more unisex, and very versatile. The idea for this silhouette was to create a pair that compliments my original bolder/edgier design. Some pieces in my new collection have a similar shade of frame and lens to my first capsule, but they feel completely different on your face.
What different roles do each of your 2 silhouettes play in your sunglasses collection?
My first silhouette is very chic and feminine, while the new silhouette is more sophisticated and effortless. With both silhouettes in your collection, you can easily style them for all occasions.
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What’s your favorite detail about this new silhouette?
I think the unisex silhouette is my favorite thing about these sunnies. They are perfect for both— I love that.
What is your advice for styling V2?
I think the 02 is a great pair to style with an everyday look— it doesn’t need a lot. For example; jeans, a button-down shirt and a loafer. You can style them up, but also easily down. It’s a very versatile silhouette to mix & match with everyday looks.
Claire Rose 01
Launched 2022
What inspired you to design sunglasses with APERÇU?
Ever since I was a kid, I have had an obsession with sunglasses. I visited an endless number of vintage markets around the world to collect unique pairs. For the longest time, I have been wanting to design my own and when I finally got the opportunity to design together with Aperçu, I knew exactly what I had in mind for my first design: an elevated rectangle and a shape that is versatile, in beautiful classic shades, that I personally have been searching for. The design of the sunglasses is a mix of all the sunglasses I own. Not too sharp and not too round.
How did your first sunnies silhouette come about? Tell us about your design process.
We worked so hard to get the 01 shape just right - it's feminine and masculine at the same. I've learned so much from this process; I never knew that so many tiny details can make such a big difference to the end result. The lens was one of the hardest aspects of the design process, because I wanted to have it just perfect.
Tell us about the color palette and any other details that have special significance for you.
As the design of the 01 silhouette is very classic and timeless, I wanted to play around with the materials to make them a bit more playful. The colors are named after my favorite cities.
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When/how did you get into the fashion industry?
Since I was very little, I’ve had issues with my hearing. That pressured me to express myself in creative ways and got me interested in the visual art of apparel curation. I always used to ask family members to take photos of my outfits, and it has always been my dream to become a fashion designer. I started doing courses at London College of Fashion and got intrigued by the marketing aspect of it all. I studied at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute and did an internship for a suit company in New York. Eventually, I realized that I wanted to be self-employed. Ever since, I do what I do and I’m very grateful for being able to do what I enjoy most.
When/how did you get into the social media space?
I did a minor 'Inspiring Leadership' during my studies a few years ago and started posting my photos on Instagram, in a very low key setting. Back then, the OG girls mostly posted street style images. I think a lot of people were able to relate to my online aesthetic, and I started growing my following rapidly. I asked my best friend if I should give ‘full time’ social media a shot, and he convinced me to go for it.
Your personal style is incredibly chic and timeless. How did your aesthetic develop and what/who are your main influences?
I think my mom influenced me the most. Her style has always been the same over the years. When I started in my early twenties, I still wanted to try a lot of different styles. The pandemic made me put things in perspective and I came to the conclusion that less is more. Since then, I invest in timeless pieces that make me feel good.
What aspects of your career do you find most rewarding right now?
I enjoy co-design projects like this one a lot. Working from scratch; from ideas, designing, sourcing materials, shooting the product and eventually seeing my community enjoying the end result and styling it in their own way, this makes me feel so extremely proud!
Do you have any enduring mantras or ‘words to live by’ that you try to convey to your audience?
Think in solutions - problems are there to be solved.