- What is couture?
- Couture, pronounced kü-'tur, is simply a French word for sewing with the finest garment construction processes with a devotion to creativity, design, fit, and technical perfection. It is the impeccable expression of the dressmaker's thought and emotion in a form of wearable art.
- Why should I make a custom dress?
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- You have impeccable taste and style and there isn't a dress out there that expresses who you are.
- Perfect fit and proportion means no alterations are needed.
- You are completely involved with the design process and therefore, you can experience what it is like to be a fashion designer.
- You can feel very confident wearing your dress because you know that no one will have the same dress as you.
- Unlike dresses purchased off the rack, a custom dress will last a lifetime because of its immaculate quality and details. But most importantly, it is an art of work designed by you.
- What is the main difference between the Iridescence Concept Package and the Iridescence Collection Package?
- The Iridescence Concept Package is suitable for those who want to design their dress while the Iridescence Collection Package is an alternative for those who want to use one of the designs from the collection instead of designing their own dress. The dress will be custom made-to-measure no matter which package you choose. If you decide to use one of the designs from the collection, the price of the dress is generally lower because the design is already available. On the other hand, the pattern and construction process are the same for both packages. Multiple fittings are needed in order to perfect the fit.
- Which geographic locations do you offer your products and services?
- Our design studio is located in San Jose, CA servicing the San Francisco Bay Area. Design consultations are offered by appointments only.
- Can you work with clients outside of the San Francisco Bay Area?
- Yes, we can work with clients outside of the Bay Area. However, we still need you to come to our studio for fittings if you want us to guarantee the fit. If you cannot come to all of the fittings, we can still make the dress with your measurements and specifications but the fit is no longer guaranteed. If you're interested in exploring this option, please contact us for full details.
- How much does it cost to have a dress custom-made?
- The price of a custom-made dress depends on the design and fabric selections. The estimated price will be offered after the initial consultation. Occasionally, additional expenses may occur during the construction process so a small price range is offered as in the estimate. This ensures that we have more flexibility during the construction process and that we don't send you a surprise bill when the dress is completed. In order to secure your date, we do require a signed contract along with a 50% non-refundable deposit.
- Can you work with me if I have a small budget?
- We will try our best to work with your budgets. Be realistic and let us know in advance what your budget is for the dress so we can adjust the design, fabric, or materials to fit your needs. You can also request our service à la carte. This is often a great alternative because you only pay for the services that you need if you or someone else can complete the other parts.
- What the estimated time frame for your services? How far in advance should I contact you?
- The time needed depends on the service requested and the complexity of the project. Below are our delivery guidelines for each service:
- Iridescence Concept Package
- Iridescence Collection Package
- Design Service only
- Pattern Service only
- Construction Service only
- at least 16 weeks (4 months)
- at least 12 weeks (3 months)
- at least 4 weeks (1 month)
- at least 6 weeks (1.5 month)
- at least 8 weeks (2 months)
- For example, if you are requesting the Iridescence Concept Package, we recommend that you allow extra 1 to 2 months so you'll have enough time to make a decision regarding the dress design. Rush orders are available if you need the delivery date to be sooner than our guidelines. Please contact us for rush fees and times.
- Can you give me an idea of the process or custom making my own dress?
- Here is a brief description of the process:
- Initial design consultation with the designer to determine your needs
- Sketch(es) provided for confirmation of design along with color and fabric swatches
- A signed contract along with a 50% deposit is needed to confirm your date
- Initial fitting for a full body measurement
- Construction of a muslin draft for fitting
- Second muslin fitting is scheduled
- Final dress fitting; minor adjustments or alterations if needed
- Is making a custom dress more expensive than purchasing a dress off the rack?
- Yes, a custom dress is always more expensive than purchasing a dress at the store. Why? Because only ONE dress is made for ONE person. A new style is designed, a new pattern is drafted, multiple fittings are performed, and special care and attention must be taken to ensure the perfect fit and details. On average, a total of 45 - 50 hours is needed to complete a custom dress from start to finish. A majority of the cost is associated with expert labor.
- Do you deliver the dress(es) to a specified location?
- Yes, we can personally deliver the dress(es) to your specified location for a charge depending on the mileage of the location and if it is within a 20 mile radius. We can also ship the dress(es) to the location of your choice if it is outside the 20 mile radius. However, to avoid a delivery fee it is recommended that you pick up the dress(es) from our studio in San Jose.
If you have additional questions or would like to begin your design adventure, please contact Iridescence Bridal Couture, Inc.