Being a fashion designer is often thought of as glamorous work. While it can be glamorous at times, for me, it is not so much glamorous, as it is both challenging and exciting. From the first design to the final dress, creating a gown for someone for a special occasion is work that requires dedication, close attention to detail and patience.

Granted, unless you are involved in design work, you cannot really be expected to understand what is actually involved or what to expect when working with a designer. So, in this piece, I briefly touch on the process that I generally follow in creating a dress for a client and the magic that takes place behind-the-scenes!


SO, WHAT IS THE PROCESS?


1. Meeting, designing and drawing

Working with me begins with an initial consultation. At this first meeting, you are able to view a sample of the collection piece(s) of interest to you (if you are looking at a made-to-measure piece), or otherwise, if you are after a custom creation, we discuss initial design ideas, taking into account your style and requirements.

If you’re having a custom gown made, there will then be a design meeting where I present you with a few designs based on our initial conversation, having spent some time sketching and collecting fabric samples for you.

In this meeting, fabric options, details, construction and approximate pricing will be discussed with you. Sometimes, a few design meetings are needed to finalise the design.

2. Creating, sewing and fitting

Once you have approved the design, your dress will go into production. This means that the technical side of construction will be mapped out and patterns will be created according to your measurements and the design.

The patterns are then cut from fabric and a toile is created. A toile is a draft of your gown made of calico or a like fabric to assist with the fit of your garment, before your gown is actually made from the fabric we have selected.

Once the toile is ready, it will be fitted to you. Depending on the design, there are usually a few toile fittings. Following each fitting, the relevant adjustments to the patterns are made and a new toile is prepared for you.

3. Embellishing, finishing and handing over!

Once we are happy with the look and fit of the toile, the final patterns are created and cut from the chosen fabric. Any embellishment often occurs at this stage and the dress is sewn up to a point and fitted to you at the garment fitting(s).

Any minor fit alterations are made following these fittings, and then there is the final fitting where you get to try on your gown for the last time.

It is then pressed, packed and ready for you to take home!

Hopefully this gives you a little bit of an idea of what you can expect in working with me as a designer and in having a gown made. Of course, every designer works differently and the process may vary accordingly, but generally speaking, the process is often quite a personalised one.

Yes, having a dress made is more time-intensive and sometimes more costly than buying a ready-made dress but working with a designer one-on-one means you are actively involved throughout the process and play a part in creating that little bit of magic that is yours to keep!

Dora xx