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?!?!

Two Birds

 

A while back I heard about this fabulous brand of bridesmaid dresses called Two Birds Bridesmaid.  Created by one of those "always a bridesmaid" ladies, they're meant to be versatile and wearable, without breaking the bank.

Plus, don't you think they'd look great next to a LoveJune bride??

Tell me what you think.

Love,
Sara

Fashion Forecast

I am LOVIN the new draped looks this fall, specifically Oscar de la Renta...which, as you know, happens to be one of my all time favorite designers.  Check out this fantastic little number:

 

Oh.  Dear.  God.  I love it.

So flattering, so unique.  He makes it in a bridal version, too, out of ivory duchess satin.  HOT!  I can't get enough of Oscar.

Or, how about these little stunners:

 

FUR!  YUM!

In a nutshell, I'm loving these looks...I hope Portland bravely picks up on them for next year's bridal season!  Check out Francoise, by lovejune, utilizing a similar aesthetic for the bodice.

Happy shopping, ladies!

Love,

Sara

Rock 'n Roll!

I spent last week in the Sierra Nevadas of Eastern California, sunbathing and barbequeing with my beloved.  Of course, I had to strain by back the day we left, so much of my vacation was spent reading and observing, instead of the usual hiking and kayaking.  But, I digress.

I started imagining all of these fabulous accessories with really crystally cuff bracelets and accessories with big chunky pyrite!  Now I'm obsessed!  (Ahem, Alex, bad news for you!  Prepare for an onslought of design challenges!)

Imagine my joy when I was perusing some of my favorite sites and I found this clutch from Paige Gamble, perfect for my vision!  LOOOOOOVE the black alligator...in fact, I think I'll have to create a couple of gowns just for this lovely hand candy.

It's so rock and roll, and I'm itching for something new...

Love,
Sara

Drew: Success!

I'm overwhelmed!  I just unveiled the newest style from the boutique line 2 days ago on Etsy, and already I've had such an amazing response!  1688 views in less than 48 hours, and a pile of emails!  Wow!

Thanks to everyone for the complements...I love "Drew" too!

        

Photo courtesy of Green Door Photography.

Love,

Sara

Last Minute Dress Shopping: The Dilemma

The dilemma being: most bridal gown designers require at least 6 months lead time to get your gown, in your size and color, made up and shipped off to your local retailer.  Add on to that another 6-8 weeks to allow time for an alteration, and you may as well start shopping the moment you get engaged, and hope you've got at least a year for your planning process.

The truth is, a lot of brides have no idea that it will take 6 months to even get a dress in their hands.  Most women think that they can order it, it'll be there in a couple of months, and they can cross "dress" off the list because it's taken care of.  That's when I usually end up with a lot of panicked brides and parents, calling because they've only got 2 weeks till the wedding and the dress doesn't fit.

I had two scenarios this week that prompted this post.  One bride that hated her dress, one that put it off and now it's too late to order it.  One at a time!

To our girl that brought her dress in for an alteration and realized that she hated the dress:  you're not alone!  I'm sure it's been sitting in the back of your closet, waiting until a reasonable time before your wedding date to see a tailor, because you wanted to lose a couple of pounds or hadn't found the right shoes.  It happens!  I'm sure you could only really remember the vague details of the gown:  it's long, it's white, it's strapless, it's pretty.  Done.  Now you take it out of the bag at the tailor's, and it's not what you remember.  It's not you!

I've seen this happen to a number of people over the last few years.  One of my friends ended up purchasing a second gown last minute from a department store and having it altered.  Last year I had a woman come to me with a gown that was "crazy on sale" but when she put it on after a couple of months, realized it made her look like a "fridge" (her words!  not mine!).  She found another dress, and convinced herself that the charge on her card for the other dress was for the brakes on her car.  "Wow, that sucks that the brakes had to go out, just before the wedding!"  :)

The reality is bridal dress shopping is hard work!  It's stressful, it's overwhelming, and you never remember exactly what you saw, no matter how many pictures were taken on your cell phone.  It's okay if you don't like it, but don't let yourself get even more frustrated when you can't have that dream dress.  

Today I got a call from a bride who's wedding is mere weeks away.  "I put it off, and time just flew by!"  Fortunately for her she still has  a few options, since she still has a few weeks.  This is the advice I gave her:

- Check out department store websites for a bridal section.  Often the brick-and-mortar store won't have a department for bridal, but the websites will have a small collection of dresses that have been deemed appropriate for brides, bridesmaids, and mothers of the bride and groom.  Check out the selection here at Nordy's.

- Don't be afraid to buy used.  There are plenty of thrift stores and consignment stores out there that may just have exactly what you're looking for.  Give yourself time to take it to the dry cleaner, or even try washing it at home in your tub with some lukewarm water and some castile soap (always read care instructions!  Care will depend on fabric structure and fiber content).  Alterations and dry cleaning will add to your budget and timeline, so take that into consideration.

- Check out a charity.  In almost every major city there is a charity that accepts donations of bridal gowns and other formal wear.  Many are auctioned off, and all proceeds go to charity.  Here in Portland, we have Brides Against Breast Cancer, which is becoming so popular that they actually limit the amount of donations that they take in.

- Ask a friend.  Many of my brides this year are on a really tight budget with this floundering economy.  I've seen so many come in for a consultation for a custom gown, and then get a call a couple of weeks later about restyling a gown that a friend or family member let them have.  Restyling is a relatively complex and long process, but maybe you have a friend or family member out there that would love to see their gown worn again.  They may let you borrow it for the day, or they may even let you keep it.  I think this is a beautiful way to pay it forward.

- Get online.  Ebay, baby!  Designer gowns, discount prices!  Etsy.com is all handmade, and many artisans are able to turn their work around in a matter of days.  No matter where you go on the internet, be prepared to wade through a lot of posts, and always always keep your head on straight.  Buyer beware!

Good luck, ladies!

Love,

Sara

OneLanguage

I just got turned on to this killer new line of canvas bags called One Language...

How great would they be to throw all that last minute "day-of" stuff in: deodorant, stain remover, water bottle, all that jazz!

They're big enough to hold a laptop, too, if you're one of those techie brides that's going to use her laptop as a turntable and spin at the reception!

How cute!

Love,

Sara

Underpinnings

I love my Daily Candy subscription.  Every week I get to hear about all these great places to shop, eat, and visit.

Recently they sent me this article.  I thought it would be helpful for brides and non-brides alike that are looking for some sexy nude underpinnings!

Check it out here: http://www.dailycandy.com/

Love, 

Sara

Cuff 'Em!

Recently my friend Alex of beadAlex (www.beadalex.com) made me this faaaaaabulous cuff bracelet to wear at the Bravo Wedding Affair.  And, ladies, this cuff is amazing.  She wired vintage brooches to a base and then filled in the gaps with crystals, fresh water pearls, and other vintage beads.  It's amazing.

She would kill me if she knew I was telling you about it because she never wants to see it again!  Poor thing struggled with it until she got it right, and I owe her big time.  In fact, I've been sworn to secrecy...I'm never to tell a soul who the original artist was, because if word got out about the cuff, her world would be turned upside down with orders and general jewelry making mayhem!

Imagine my relief (felt both for her and myself) when Daily Candy sent me an alternative for my brides in a tidy little email!  Check out the article here:

http://www.dailycandy.com/philadelphia/article/42370/Cuff+Em?action=share

Love the beautiful floral design, it's the perfect compliment to a gown from Love, June's new line!  

Happy shopping!

Love,

Sara

Etsy Storefront Live!

Okay okay, I'm convinced!  I've gotten a lot of feedback about the Etsy storefront debate, and you convinced me!

I've listed about 75% of the gowns available so far...as I make more samples I'll list them!  The prices on Etsy are the same as in-studio.  So far I've had a great response, I'm excited to finally have gotten this ball rolling!

Go check it out!  

www.lovejune.etsy.com

Love, 

Sara