Handcrafted with Love

FAQ: Designer Knockoffs

Sorry, ladies.  This isn't the secret post to find those cheap ass designer knockoffs so you can have your cake and eat it too.  Just the opposite.  

As a custom designer, I frequently get requests for price quotes.  Of course, of course.  Price quotes, over the internet, to someone I've never met and a dress I have no clue about.  Today I got one that went something like this:

"Hi Sara.  I tried on a (name brand) gown and I totally love it.  How much would it cost for you to make it?  Can I choose my level of service, and can we just do this Package B (not full custom), and add fabric? Thanks.  Love, Bride You've Never Met."

Oooookaaaaaaay.  A few things:

- You don't really get to choose your level of commitment from the beginning.  I will tell you what our options are once I know what kind of dress we're making.  Which brings me to my next point:

- What dress?!?!  I have no idea what dress you're referring to.

- Just because I'm not a big designer, doesn't necessarily mean I'm cheap.  I have over 20 years sewing experience, use the best materials I can find, and make every single dress myself, by hand, just for your cute little body.  That's a hell of a lot more man hours than a mass produced gown, not to mention minimum wage in Oregon is over 8 bucks, not your standard $100/month wage overseas.  So, it probably won't be any cheaper.

- I am a custom designer, not a knocker-offer.  Not a factory worker in China.  Not a home sewer in my living room with my daycare in the backyard.  I have a degree.  A lot of experience.  I've got mad skills.  Let me use them.

- eBay.  

- Don't try on gowns outside your budget.  PERIOD.  This is the only reason why I ever get these requests.  If you can't afford it, don't touch it.  General rule.

I know a lot of custom designers wouldn't have been too diplomatic with this request.  I know a couple that would not have even responded to the email.  The truth is, we're taken for granted. In this WalMart world, every bride is the most special bride of all and we all need to forget about running businesses and give them what they want.

NOPE.

My humble advice to this bride and all others:

- SET A BUDGET.

- STICK TO IT.  Don't even, seriously, don't even touch a dress outside your budget unless you're prepared to adjust your budget for it.

- IMPROVISE.  That style is probably not exclusive to that designer.  Do some research and find something comparable.

- BID.  EBay is now your best friend.  I've seen a lot of beautiful once worn gowns pass through that were purchased on eBay.  Go girl.

- BE REALISTIC.  You don't need to spend $4K on your gown.  You don't even need to spend one singular K. Figure out what's most important.

Because, seriously, I'll know the difference, but nobody else will.  

Sorry for the straight talk, but someone's gotta do it.

Shop responsibly.

Love, 
Sara

Similar Posts:

You Get What You Pay For

FAQ: That Dress Will Cost How Much?!?!

Book Review: One Perfect Day

 

One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding by Rebecca Mead.

 Last night I plowed through this book!  It is really interesting, I'd say a must read for anyone skeptical about all that "Wedding Budget" and "Wedding Timeline" stuff.  It covers the creation and promotion of the wedding industry over the last 15 or so years (it was written a couple years ago), everything from the birth of the Wedding Coordinator, the Diamond Engagement Ring Conspiracy, and a comprehensive history of the wedding dress and its retailers today...among other things.

As a wedding professional, a lot of this stuff was not exactly new, but it was very interesting to see behind the scenes in different parts of the industry: photography, destination weddings, and home goods in particular.  It also made me realize that I'm a true wedding skeptic living in a professional wedding world...I don't think I'm supposed to admit that!

Portland brides will love this book, especially if you're not a "bridaly bride" or a "non-traditional" bride, or any of the other things we call ourselves to emphasize we're not gonna wear a ballgown and have a hundred thousand butterflies released at the ceremony.  It's a guide to navigating the industry, and The Bridal Industrial Complex.

Read!

Love,
Sara

Oh, Karl.

 

I know certain (ahem!) people that are going to get on my case about this, but I can't take it anymore:  I hate Karl Lagerfeld.

Maybe it's because of his hair?  Nah.  The truth is, I read an article about his eating habits a few years back, the guy is quite frankly the most ridiculous person on the planet.  Sure, he's a boy genius that's been designing since the age of, what, 14?  The man is a joke.

Imagine how happy I must have been to come across the following article online last week:

Chanel Farmer

The article's author starts out by saying: No serious student of fashion can consider their education to have been complete if they have not attended a runway show by Chanel, whose Spring 2010 collection presented Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Paris was a brilliant tour de force of style, presentation and proof that ecology can be not only politically correct, but cool.

Yeaaahhhhh.  Maybe I adore Coco Chanel, but I can see her history in a book.  As a serious student of fashion, I've chosen to think for myself, and not blindly follow the trends put forth by the forecasters and big names that create lines that all look the same.

I love this quote:

"It's Coco Ecolo, ecology can be chic. No? One can use natural fabrics and learn from nature," said Lagerfeld after the show.

Hey Karl!  Guess what!  You're like the VERY LAST person to think of this, and you didn't exactly do anything different.  Except something totally cheesy and so not chic.

Oopsie.

Love,
Sara

Bridesmaid Etiquette

What I have to say a lot of you ladies are not going to want to hear.  I'm saying it, though, despite the fact that you'll stomp away pouting and may never read this blog again.  I'm saying it because you need to hear it.

If you're a bridesmaid, keep your mouth shut.

That's it.  Every day dozens of bridesmaids come through the studio for alterations, complaining about how ugly their dress is, how unflattering it is, how they would never in a million years wear it if it wasn't for their evil best friend that chose it for their bridal party.  I've even had maids complain about how terrible it was in front of the bride.  Most maids don't need the correction, but there are some out there that do.

The cold, hard truth is: this is not your wedding.  This is not about YOU.  This is about celebrating your friend's very special day, and helping her pull it off with a little finesse.  Nobody cares how good you look in your dress.  Nobody cares what you think of it.  I don't, the bride probably doesn't, and most of the guests won't think twice about it.  

Bridesmaids are enlisted to help the bride organize, plan, and generally execute the wedding more efficiently.  If you have been chosen for an attendant in a bridal party, you are expected to run errands for the bride and groom, which may be anything from setting appointments to picking up orders.  You are expected to be moral support for the bride, and offset the stress so that nobody goes street rat crazy from all the pressure.  You are there to support your friend or family member, do what they need you to do, and do it on time so nobody is murdered.  It's that simple.

I know there are some brides out there that take into consideration their maid's different body types and skin tones when picking out their ensembles so that everyone can look like an entourage but also look their best.  Some brides even pay for the dresses, which- ladies!- is not customary!!  Even those maids still complain, however, so the kindness is lost on them.  I think it's nice that you've considered all these options to try and make everyone look their best!  You're in the minority!

That's not to say every bride should do this!  Please!  Maids need to know that a bride has a plan for order, a design, a vision for this very important day in their lives.  If you're not up to the task of helping out, supporting your friend, and keeping your mouth shut about the trivial stuff like how you might look in your dress, think twice about being in that bridal party.  If you can't do those few things, politely decline the invite.

"Dear Friend,

Thank you so much for the invite to be a part of your bridal party.  I am so flattered and honored to have been chosen to share in the responsibility and celebration of your "Big Day."  I must, however, politely decline the invitation, as I cannot be fully committed to the responsibility at this time.  

I would love, however, to attend the wedding as a guest and can't wait to see everything come together so beautifully!!

I look forward to the celebration!

WIth love and sincerity,

Your Concerned and Respectful Friend"

Done and done.

Love,

Sara