Claire-Anne Stroll: Fashion Designer & Entrepreneur
Claire-Anne Stroll is a Belgian fashion designer and entrepreneur who founded the luxury activewear brand Callens. She is the ex-wife of billionaire Lawrence Stroll and mother to F1 driver Lance Stroll.
Early Life and Background
Claire-Anne Stroll was born in Belgium, though she spent significant time in Montreal, Canada. While specific details about her early life remain private, we know she celebrates her birthday on June 24th, making her zodiac sign Cancer. Though her exact age isn’t publicly known, based on photographs and her children’s ages, she appears to be in her fifties as of 2025.
Claire-Anne maintains a relatively private personal life, with limited information available about her parents, siblings, or childhood. This privacy extends to many aspects of her life, reflecting her preference to stay out of the spotlight despite her connections to high-profile individuals in the business and sports worlds.
Her Belgian roots and European upbringing significantly influenced her career path and aesthetic sensibilities, particularly in fashion design. She received her education in Belgium, though specific details about her educational institutions and qualifications aren’t publicly documented.
Cultural Heritage
Claire-Anne’s Belgian heritage has played an important role in shaping her design philosophy and business approach. The European influence is evident in her fashion brand, which combines Italian craftsmanship with innovative technical fabrics. Currently, she resides in Geneva, Switzerland, though she has lived in various locations including Montreal during her marriage to Lawrence Stroll.
Personal Attributes
Claire-Anne stands approximately 5’6″ (168 cm) tall with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is known for her elegant appearance and sophisticated fashion sense, which aligns with her professional work in the luxury fashion industry. Those who know her describe her as having a cheerful personality and a keen eye for design and aesthetics.
Career and Achievements
Claire-Anne Stroll has established herself as a successful fashion designer and entrepreneur, primarily known for founding the luxury activewear brand Callens. Her career represents the intersection of her passion for sports, active living, and high-end fashion design.
Founding of Callens
Callens, named after Claire-Anne’s maiden name, is a luxury activewear brand that she founded under the creative direction of Paul Helbers, who previously worked with Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton men’s and with Martin Margiela at Maison Martin Margiela and Hermès. The brand specializes in luxury technical separates that combine comfort with sophistication.
In her own words, Claire-Anne described Callens as “Lululemon meets Loro Piana,” highlighting the brand’s unique position in the market. The company is based in Milan’s fashion district, which has significantly influenced the fabrics and craftsmanship used in the collections.
Business Philosophy
Claire-Anne identified a gap in the market for comfortable yet elegant sportswear and created Callens to fill this niche. In an interview with the Montreal Gazette, she explained her vision: “I just created this collection because I thought that there was a niche in the market. I felt that it was missing. I am a very supportive person, and I love to feel comfortable in my clothes. I love tecno fabrics, and I wanted a better level of it.”
She further elaborated on her concept: “This is a collection that you want to feel good in your body, but you want to feel good in your clothes, like a second skin. This is the fabric comfortable because of the tecno fabric, but it also the softness and fluidity of the natural fibres.”
Design Approach and Target Market
Claire-Anne’s design philosophy centers on creating clothing that combines technical innovation with luxurious craftsmanship and refined comfort. Her target audience consists of women seeking femininity and sophistication in their activewear.
The Callens brand is defined as “loose luxury,” a take on athleisure that goes beyond basic yoga pants but remains more relaxed than structured, uncomfortable clothing. As Claire-Anne stated, “I like cool, chic and feminine clothes that you can wear all day and in any environment without compromising your personal style. True luxury is effortless.”
Brand Recognition
Callens has been featured in several prestigious publications, including Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, and The Times. The brand has gained recognition for its unique approach to luxury activewear, offering pieces that transition seamlessly from active pursuits to everyday life.
Sports Influence
Claire-Anne’s personal love for sports and active living has significantly influenced her business ventures. She enjoys hiking, biking, tennis, golf, and other sporty activities, which inspired her to create the Callens collection. This personal connection to an active lifestyle has informed her understanding of what women need from performance clothing that doesn’t sacrifice style.
Personal Life and Family
Claire-Anne Stroll’s personal life has been marked by her long marriage to Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll and her role as a mother to two accomplished children. While she maintains a relatively private personal life, her family connections have placed her adjacent to the spotlight, particularly in Formula 1 racing circles.
Marriage to Lawrence Stroll
Claire-Anne was married to Lawrence Sheldon Strulovitch (known professionally as Lawrence Stroll), a Canadian billionaire businessman and investor. Lawrence made his fortune through investments in fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors, and later became known for his involvement in Formula 1 racing.
The couple was married for nearly three decades before their divorce. During their marriage, they were often described as a “power couple” with a strong bond. They shared homes in various locations, including Montreal, Canada, and traveled frequently between their residences and Europe.
Following their divorce, Lawrence Stroll married Raquel Diniz in 2020.
Children
Claire-Anne and Lawrence have two children together:
- Chloe Stroll: Born on April 11, 1995, Chloe is a singer-songwriter known for songs such as “Water Over Sand,” “Surrender,” and “My Future.” She has pursued a career in music and is married to Australian snowboarder Scotty James.
- Lance Stroll: Born on October 29, 1998, Lance is a professional Formula 1 racing driver who competes for the Aston Martin Formula One Team (formerly Racing Point F1 Team), which his father co-owns. Lance began his racing career at a young age and won his first title at the Italian F4 Championship in 2014. In 2016, he won the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with Prema.
As a mother, Claire-Anne has been supportive of her children’s career ambitions and has been present at important events in their lives. Both Chloe and Lance appear to have inherited their parents’ ambition and drive to succeed in their respective fields.
Business Ventures and Net Worth
Claire-Anne Stroll has established herself as a successful entrepreneur through her fashion brand Callens and other business ventures. While her individual net worth is not publicly disclosed, her business acumen and connection to the Stroll family fortune have positioned her as a significant figure in the luxury fashion industry.
Callens Brand
Claire-Anne’s primary business venture is her luxury activewear brand Callens. The brand specializes in high-end sportswear that combines technical fabrics with luxury materials, creating pieces that are both functional and fashionable.
Callens is based in Milan, Italy, and utilizes Italian craftsmanship and fabrics to create its collections. The brand positions itself in the luxury segment of the activewear market, offering an alternative to mainstream athletic wear brands while maintaining comfort and functionality.
Target Market and Business Strategy
Callens targets affluent women who seek comfortable yet sophisticated clothing that can transition from active pursuits to everyday life. As Claire-Anne explained in an interview with Observer, “My clothes are for women who are looking to attain the balance between advanced technical innovation, luxurious craftsmanship, and truly refined comfort.”
The brand’s business strategy focuses on filling a specific niche in the market: “I decided to launch this project because I was convinced that fashion was missing a brand offering this kind of niche product, and I feel my collection is unique because it focuses entirely on everyday active wear, but never compromises on style or quality.”
Financial Status
While Claire-Anne’s individual net worth is not publicly disclosed, reports suggest that her joint net worth with ex-husband Lawrence Stroll was estimated at approximately $2.6-2.7 billion. This substantial wealth came from various sources, including fashion businesses, real estate investments, and Lawrence’s involvement in Formula 1 racing.
As the founder and owner of Callens, Claire-Anne has established her own source of income independent of her ex-husband’s business ventures. The luxury positioning of her brand suggests a focus on quality and exclusivity rather than mass-market appeal.
Physical Appearance and Lifestyle
Claire-Anne Stroll maintains an elegant appearance that reflects her involvement in the fashion industry and her active lifestyle. Her physical attributes and personal style choices align with the aesthetic of her luxury activewear brand.
Physical Characteristics
According to available information, Claire-Anne stands at approximately 5’6″ (168 cm) tall and weighs around 54 kg. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, with a light-skinned complexion that complements her European heritage.
She is described as having a cheerful personality and a gorgeous physique, with an outstanding fashion sense that enhances her natural beauty. These attributes align with her professional work in the fashion industry and her personal interest in sports and active living.
Active Lifestyle
Claire-Anne is known to be a sports enthusiast with a particular love for golf. Her passion for sports extends to various activities, including hiking, biking, tennis, and other outdoor pursuits. This active lifestyle has directly influenced her fashion brand, Callens, which was created to meet the needs of women seeking comfortable yet elegant clothing for active living.
Her interest in sports and active living is not merely recreational but has informed her business decisions and design philosophy. As she explained regarding the creation of Callens, “Its concept was born of sport–I love to be active and that was the initial inspiration, which developed into a go-to collection for any time of day.”
Travel and Jet-Setting
Claire-Anne’s lifestyle includes frequent travel between various locations. During her marriage to Lawrence Stroll, she divided her time between their family home in Montreal and various European destinations. This jet-setting lifestyle influenced her fashion brand, as she recognized the need for comfortable yet elegant clothing that could transition easily from travel to various activities.
As she noted in an interview, “The versatility of the clothes are really highlighted by travel, in terms of both movement and easy style.” Her personal experience with international travel informed her understanding of what women need from clothing that can perform in multiple contexts and environments.
Current Residence
As of recent reports, Claire-Anne resides in Geneva, Switzerland. This location places her in proximity to the European fashion industry and the international jet-set community that represents part of her brand’s target market.
Social Media Presence and Public Image
Claire-Anne Stroll maintains a notably private personal life despite her connections to high-profile individuals and businesses. Her approach to public visibility and social media reflects her preference for privacy and focus on her professional endeavors rather than personal publicity.
Limited Social Media Presence
According to available information, Claire-Anne does not maintain public profiles on major social media platforms. This absence from social media aligns with her generally private approach to personal matters and stands in contrast to the more visible public profiles of her ex-husband Lawrence Stroll and son Lance Stroll, who are prominent figures in Formula 1 racing.
Her decision to avoid social media visibility may reflect a deliberate choice to separate her personal life from her professional brand, allowing Callens to stand on its own merits rather than relying on her personal celebrity or connections.
Public Appearances
While Claire-Anne generally maintains a low public profile, she has made appearances at fashion industry events related to her brand Callens. Her public image is primarily associated with her professional work as a fashion designer and entrepreneur rather than her personal relationships or family connections.
During her marriage to Lawrence Stroll, she occasionally appeared at Formula 1 events to support her son Lance’s racing career, though these appearances were not extensively documented or publicized.
Media Coverage
Media coverage of Claire-Anne typically focuses on her fashion brand Callens or mentions her in relation to her ex-husband Lawrence Stroll and son Lance Stroll. Publications like Observer have featured interviews with her discussing the concept and vision behind Callens, while other media outlets have noted her connection to the Stroll family when covering Formula 1 racing or business news.
The limited media coverage of Claire-Anne’s personal life reflects both her preference for privacy and the media’s respect for that preference. This approach has allowed her to maintain control over her public image and focus attention on her professional achievements rather than personal matters.
Influence and Legacy
Claire-Anne Stroll’s influence extends across the fashion industry, family life, and the intersection of luxury and activewear markets. While maintaining a relatively private profile, her impact can be seen in various spheres.
Fashion Industry Contribution
Claire-Anne has made a significant contribution to the fashion industry through her brand Callens, which pioneered a specific niche in the luxury activewear market. By combining technical fabrics with high-end materials and craftsmanship, she helped bridge the gap between performance clothing and luxury fashion.
Her approach to “loose luxury” offered an alternative to both mainstream athletic wear brands and traditional luxury fashion houses, creating a new category that addressed the needs of active, affluent women seeking both comfort and style.
Family Influence
As a mother, Claire-Anne has supported her children’s diverse career paths, with daughter Chloe pursuing music and son Lance becoming a Formula 1 driver. Her ability to balance her own entrepreneurial pursuits with family responsibilities has provided a model of successful work-life integration.
The success of her children in their respective fields suggests that Claire-Anne’s influence as a parent has been positive and supportive, encouraging them to pursue their passions with the same dedication she has shown in her own career.
Business Legacy
Through Callens, Claire-Anne established a business model that recognized and addressed changing consumer preferences for clothing that combines functionality with luxury. Her identification of a market niche and creation of a brand to fill that niche demonstrates entrepreneurial insight and fashion industry knowledge.
The longevity and recognition of the Callens brand in the competitive fashion market speak to the soundness of her business concept and execution. By focusing on quality, craftsmanship, and a clear brand identity, she created a business with distinctive positioning in the luxury activewear segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
To address common inquiries about Claire-Anne Stroll, here are answers to some frequently asked questions based on available information:
What is Claire-Anne Stroll’s nationality?
Claire-Anne Stroll is Belgian by nationality. She was born in Belgium, though she has lived in various locations including Montreal, Canada, during her marriage to Lawrence Stroll, and currently resides in Geneva, Switzerland.
What is Claire-Anne Stroll’s profession?
Claire-Anne Stroll is a fashion designer and businesswoman. She is the founder of the luxury activewear brand Callens, which specializes in high-end sportswear that combines technical fabrics with luxury materials.
When did Claire-Anne Stroll and Lawrence Stroll divorce?
While the exact date of their divorce is not available, Claire-Anne and Lawrence Stroll were married for nearly three decades before their separation. Lawrence Stroll married his current wife, Raquel Diniz, in 2020.
What is Claire-Anne Stroll’s relationship with her children?
Claire-Anne is described as a devoted mother who has been supportive of her children’s career ambitions. She has maintained a presence at important events in their lives and has helped them develop their own paths to success. Her children, Lance and Chloe, have pursued careers in Formula 1 racing and music, respectively.
What inspired Claire-Anne Stroll to create Callens?
Claire-Anne was inspired to create Callens by her own active lifestyle and her identification of a gap in the market for comfortable yet elegant sportswear. As a sports enthusiast who enjoys activities like golf, hiking, and tennis, she wanted clothing that combined technical performance with luxury aesthetics.
Where is the Callens brand based?
The Callens brand is based in Milan, Italy, in the city’s fashion district. The location allows the brand to utilize Italian craftsmanship and fabrics, which have significantly influenced the quality and aesthetic of the collections.
What is Claire-Anne Stroll’s net worth?
Claire-Anne’s individual net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, her joint net worth with ex-husband Lawrence Stroll was estimated at approximately $2.6-2.7 billion. As the founder and owner of Callens, she has established her own source of income independent of her ex-husband’s business ventures.
Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
