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For party girls. We design a small selection of special occasion dresses, both long and short, all available for custom order (and some available off the rack). We also carry Jess Audey’s semi-custom dress line, available in solids and prints at a bridesmaid-friendly price point. And our custom-order handbags (made by AO3 Designs) make a great attendant gift. What do we mean by “custom”? Almost every Dame Couture gown is custom-fit, which means we make a pattern just for you, to your measurements, and make sure it’s right for you through a series of fittings. We’re also happy to customize the style of any of our own designs, changing a neckline, a trim, or a skirt silhouette to make a dress perfect for you. The hard numbers. Dame wedding styles range from $1,800 to $3,500 (short white dresses start at $800). Party dresses range from $500 (for a simple custom-fit strapless) to $1,700. Custom design prices vary, but are not necessarily higher than rack styles; for a rough estimate, please email us. Turnaround time for any dress is usually four to six months. You can read a more detailed description of the process below. Most often our clients visit Dame Couture between four and six times. At your initial consultation, you’ll probably try on some dresses, look at fabric swatches, and talk to us about your wedding and the dress you envision. We’ll do a few rough sketches and give you an estimate. If you’re feeling confident about a style or custom design idea, we’ll take your measurements and a deposit of half the cost of your dress. Or you can sleep on it and let us know your decision later. Once we’ve measured you and taken a deposit, we’ll
make a pattern and mockup of your dress, called a muslin, for
you to try on. Sometimes a When we feel confident about the pattern, we’ll make your dress in your actual fabric. Most brides come back twice for a fabric fitting. Though major styles changes cannot be made after the dress is in fabric, often two fittings are necessary to make sure all the details are right. You last visit will be to pick up your finished dress. The other
half of your payment (plus sales tax) is due at final pickup.
Pick up can be any date you prefer, from one month before your
wedding to just days before. If you’d like to see our dresses or discuss a custom design, it’s usually best to schedule an appointment by calling 847.866.7599 or emailing info@damecouture.com. There’s no obligation or cost; it’s simply easier for us to give you our full attention if we schedule a time in advance. Your initial consultation will probably take about an hour. Feel free to bring sketches, clippings, photos, swatches, and anything else you'd like to show us. If you’d just like to check out the wares, feel free to walk in any time our store is open (Wednesdays through Fridays 11 to 5, Saturdays 10 to 5). There’s a small chance we may be busy with a client and unable to give you as much attention as we’d like to, but come on in! Dame Couture is located at 1804 Central Street in Evanston, about half a block east of both Green Bay Road and the Central Street stop on the Union-Pacific North Metra line. |
complicated
style or fit requires two muslin fittings. You need to bring any
“special” undergarments to your first muslin fitting.
Usually fittings take no more than 30 minutes. These fittings
are your opportunity to change a neckline, add or subtract length,
or move a seam you don’t like, so be sure to speak up!
