Behind The Seams
Head designer and owner of Harold Clarke Couturier Atelier has brought to the United States the kind of luxury, elegance, and personal service that the world’s most privileged individuals have known and come to expect for many years.
As told by Essence Magazine, "Clarke weds vision and skill to design the gown of your dreams, using the most precious fabrics and innovative classical designs to create unique concepts in Bridal and Special Occasion wear for his clientele". By doing things according to his timetable, Harold Clarke has managed to stay in a class by himself and does not follow a usual Seventh Avenue schedule.
The Jamaican born native came to the United States in 1969, His objective was clear, he would one day become a household name in the high stakes fashion industry. He attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in New York. He later opened his first studio in SoHo specializing in mood pieces and was later discovered by a specialty store on West Broadway. There he designed special couture pieces and limited edition gowns in all fabrications. From SoHo Clarke moved his operation into the garment district, with a design studio at 147 West 40th street between, the famous, Seventh Avenue and Broadway. At this time he specialized in couture bridal and special occasion gowns. Later Harold Clarke added a showroom in the prestigious bridal building at 1375 Broadway, where his collections were sold to exclusive clients, specialty stores and boutiques across the United States and beyond.
While working on a bridal party Harold Clarke was introduced to the city of New Orleans. There Clarke was seduced by the history, ambiance, culture and the entire essence that is, the City of New Orleans. The city has directly influenced his special occasion pieces. Clarke applies advanced technique and resources to create a collection that displays the New Orleans experience through fashion. His designs have been worn by celebrities from Patti Labelle to Vivica Fox, Delta Burke to Vanna White. His gowns have also been worn by socialites across the nation. He has been in the fashion industry for over 30 years and is an internationally known, award winning couture designer.