Ever since she was a little girl, dresses in all shapes and styles have been the cornerstone of Amy McCormick's closet. But finding the dress, fashionable and comfortable, perfect for any occasion, was always the challenge. This dilemma, coupled with a vision of just what that perfect dress should be, are the driving forces behind Amy's Brooklyn based label, AMYCLAIRE, which launched its premier collection for Spring 2010.

Born to creative parents, Amy split her childhood between Pasadena and San Francisco, where her mother taught her how to sew and how to work and alter patterns. Amy has put those skills to work in her design studio in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where she lives and works, conceiving, sketching and draping each one of her designs.

In 2003, Amy graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in photography. She traveled to Italy to study the classics and eventually settled in New York City, where she submerged herself in the world of fashion photography. It didn't take long for Amy to realize that her passion lay in front of the camera, not behind it.

Behind every AMYCLAIRE piece is the spirit, lifestyle and personality of the designer herself. For inspiration, Amy looks to her travels and especially her friends. “I am surrounded by a beautiful group of artistic people who inspire me to create," Amy says. "They are the people I look to dress." Fresh and understated, AMYCLAIRE's debut collection was inspired by the Pasadena parrots and the experience of loving the feel and comfort of a perfect dress.

- Damaris Colhoun