Claudette: Full-Figure Fashion
The team behind Claudette has proven retail, sales and operations experience on its side. Hand-picked by owner Robin Levitt, the team members come from big-name brands such as Express, Williams-Sonoma and Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell. This time, with Claudette as a start-up, it’s especially personal. Claudette’s fashionable bras for full-bust sizes up to 38G have all been fit tested and worn by the employees before the final versions are green-lit for production.
“I have a great team of people here. Everyone cares passionately about the success of the business,” Levitt said. “There’s no one here who hasn’t had their boobs in our bras for an extended period of time.”
Though Claudette is offered in sizes starting at A cup, Levitt specifically focuses on making styles that are friendly to be graded up to larger cup sizes. The young and modern look came from Levitt’s personal experience shopping for full-cup-size lingerie, in which she saw the most boring, utilitarian styles and the most ornately designed, expensive styles—but nothing in between.
“You’re out there looking for a product that might not fit your personality or style, but it fits your needs. And when you see something that fits your personality and style, it might not make your needs,” Levitt said.
Claudette offers both the simple yet pretty and fun fashion styles with a youthful and clean appearance. The Claudette cotton bra, for example, is unlined and has moisture-wicking properties in the fabric for breathability comfort. Added support is provided by using an underwire “sling” design in the cup and power mesh reinforcement in the band.
“We want it to be as simple as possible. We really tried to hit an aggressive price on it so it can be an everyday bra and you can go into a boutique and get this without a $60 price tag on it,” Levitt said.
The youthful character of the line is seen in the signature sheer mesh that hits the same fit as the cotton with a sexier, colorful twist in neon bright hues and a modern color-blocked group void of any frilly lace.
Wholesale price points range from about $34.50 for the basic cotton bra to $27.50 for a lace and mesh bra, $5.75 for the basic cotton panty, and $18.75 for a retro high-cut brief with removable garters. Claudette has been sold to The Wizard of Bras in Monrovia, Calif.; My Boudoir in San Francisco; and A La Folie in Berkeley, Calif.—Rhea Cortado
