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One could call it art, one could call it fashion. Marian Clayden calls it both. Clayden is an international name. Born in England, and also having lived in both Australia and Iran, she began her career in art a few decades ago, as a painter. She went on to develop textiles in the studio, using ancient resist-dying techniques and creating her own unique fabrics, which earned her global acclaim. Her works have since been featured in art shows and museums around the world. Calls flooded in from industry professionals wanting to use her techniques and offering her work.
Clayden worked on many projects, including designing fabric for nine productions of the famous musical Hair, and several films. Soon after, she began to realize she could have a promising future in fashion.
"When two designers asked me to design fabric for them, I decided to start my own business," Clayden remembers. She made a new home for herself in Los Gatos, and Marian Clayden Inc. was born.
Clayden began designing her own fashions. Her creations are unique, she says, because they are each individual works of art, not necessarily in step with the top fashions of the present day, but rather a connection between the two worlds of art and fashion. Her style has been called "bohemian chic," and Clayden says the inspiration for many of her works is tied to her love of the Grand Opera and ethnic dance.
Clayden goes above and beyond to make sure that every inch of her creations is special and of the highest quality. Many of her unique fabrics are designed locally at her headquarters on Church Street in Los Gatos and then woven or printed in France and Italy. One of Clayden's signature fabrics, her cut velvet, is woven in France. Clayden says after the fabrics are woven, they arrive here, where they are then dyed. Clayden frequently travels the world to find special "embellishments" for her fabrics and designs. These can be things such as trim or beads.
"Sometimes the embellishments are the most important thing," she says.
Clayden's fashions have been widely successful. Her designs have been worn by such celebrities as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Taylor and Lisa Marie Presley. Another woman who has been in the news quite frequently, and who has been seen wearing Clayden fashions on many occasions, is potential future First Lady Teresa Heinz Kerry.
Anyone interested in purchasing Clayden's creations can find them in many department and boutique stores across the country, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and, one of her biggest clients, Saks 5th Avenue. She has wholesale representatives in New York City called ADK Fashions, and many of her designs have been imported to Europe and Japan. Those interested in purchasing her works can also make appointments at her local offices, where Clayden herself can be found hard at work on most days, with her staff of around 10 people.
Lately Clayden has been working on two major projects. The first is her upcoming spring collection, which will be shipping out to her wholesale representatives in New York this week. The second is a very special project.
The grand opening of the renovated California Theatre takes place Sept. 18 with Opera San José performing The Marriage of Figaro. The theater is the new home of the opera company, and General Director Irene Dalis is wearing a Marian Clayden creation designed especially for her, for the opening night festivities. Those festivies include pre-parties at the Capital Club, the Marriott Hotel and Eulipia. There will also be a post-performance party with champagne and desserts at the Marriott.
Clayden is known for being a fierce supporter of the opera, and she has admired Dalis for quite a while, getting to know her over the years as she followed her work.
"I've known Irene Dalis for a few years, and I've always admired her and her presence," Clayden said. "I was honored when she asked me to design something for this very special evening."
Clayden says she is overjoyed that Opera San José is going strong and that the California Theatre is opening.
"I think it's very exciting we're going to have an opera house here in the South Bay. Not many communities do. I've been a very strong supporter of it," she said.
Clayden says she occasionally thinks about painting again. "I think one day I will get back to painting. Some days, I do get a twinge that I should do some more."
For the meantime, Clayden's fashion business shows no signs of slowing down. However, she still tries to keep the business small enough that she can give special attention to each of her creations.
"I purposely keep the business small so that we can focus on quality, beauty and excitement," she said.
To see examples of Marian Clayden's work, visit www.clayden.com, or call 408.354.4747 for more information.
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Photograph by George Sakkestad