Here are some helpful questions to ask during your initial consultation with a custom dress designer:

What might our timeline look like?

Be sure to communicate with your dress designer about when your event is before ordering a dress. This will help you both to better prepare for how much time you have, when fittings should take place, and approximately when you’ll be able to pick up the dress before the big event.  We usually allow 6-8 weeks for a custom gown and less time for smaller projects.

My clients are always happy when I can incorporate pockets.

What are my price options?

Custom designed dresses can vary in price in a few key ways. If you already have a specific budget range in mind, talk about your ideal and maximum budgets for this product. This helps in determining the design elements and the fabric choices.

We require a deposit of half down at the time of the order, one quarter before we cut into the fashion fabric and the balance upon delivery.

Which fabrics might work best with our vision?

Designing a custom dress should be a collaborative experience. After you explore ideas that may work for your wedding or special event, ask your designer’s opinion on which fabrics might be best for bringing your ideas to life.  Certain fabrics will respond to specific design lines.  Let your designer be the guide for what is best for your ensemble as a designer has the expertise you are looking for.

How many fittings will I need and are fittings included in the cost?

Typically, you may only need a couple of fittings, but for more extravagant ideas there may be more required.  At Brooks LTD we pride ourselves in having samples for a client to try on before the fitting process begins. Below is an example of a muslin prototype that has the fit and design lines that the final garment will have.

Talk with your designer about the numbers of fittings. At Brooks LTD, additional fittings are included in the overall investment of the dress design, once a price is quoted we do not change our price unless the client adds something to the original request.

What types of undergarments should I wear?

Every dress design will be unique, so ask your designer for thoughts on appropriate undergarments to wear in a way that will be flattering and won’t negatively impact the way the dress looks on you.  It is very important that you as the client bring or wear the exact underpinnings to each fitting as that determines the fit, so it’s a waste of time to have a fitting without appropriate undergarments. And don’t forget: shoes are also part of the fitting!

Delivery of the final product.

At the final fitting you will try on the finished product which will be pressed and ready to go.  We prefer to take a few photos for our records, we ask each client to pose on delivery day. Each gown is packaged so that it will travel well, whether it is locally or headed for a drive to your venue.

Contact a Custom Dress Designer in Denver, CO

Whether you’re looking for a truly unique wedding dress, an elegant mother of the bride dress, a creative gala or party dress, or other artful ensemble creations, reach out to Brooks LTD for a design that suits you and fits perfectly! Contact me online or call 303-573-3801.  

Thank you to Frances Photography for these great photos!

The post Questions to Ask When Ordering a Custom Designed Dress appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

But truthfully, creating a dress can be easily summed up in five simple steps! From consultation through final delivery day, I enjoy working with my clients and helping them see how fun the process can be.

Yes!! It can be this easy!

Consultation

I meet with a potential client and chat about her venue or event, her idea of what she may want, her colors and any other concerns she has for her custom dress. After the initial consultation I return to my drawing board and sketch out several designs with her body type in mind along with her parameters.

Sketches

Then, we meet a second time and study the design choices. At this time she may want to try on some of my gowns in my collection to see the fit and the drape of the item. We go over each sketch and possibly combine one detail of a sketch with another to create the final sketch.

First Fitting

After the sketch is chosen I go to the cutting table and prepare a custom pattern and muslin prototype based on the sketches and measurements of my client.

Making a prototype allows me to make corrections before I cut into the fashion fabric she wants. The client tries on the prototype and from that fitting I am prepared to cut into the fashion fabric.

Second Fitting

At this fitting my client and I review the actual dress made in the fashion fabric. I adjust any necessary alterations on the dress, realign any design lines and pin the hem. At this fitting it will be determined if one more fitting is necessary. Typically it isn’t necessary but I always leave time just in case.

Delivery Day

After the adjustments are corrected, the gown is finished and pressed and ready to be tried on for a final time. I always hope to get a photo at this time for my records. I also hope that after the day of the event I will get a professional photo to add to my collection of custom designs!

Looking for a Custom Dress?

Whether you’re looking for a truly unique wedding dress, an elegant mother of the bride dress, or a show-stopping gala or party dress, reach out to Brooks LTD for a design that suits you and fits perfectly! Contact me online or call 303-573-3801.

The post The Process of Creating a Custom Dress appeared first on Brooks Ltd.