If you are looking for unique one-off ladies clothes, then my design service may be of interest to you. I design and make, hand sewn one-off classic dresses, including bridal wear, evening dresses and day clothes including dresses and ladies separates, although I do not design trousers. Read on for information about one-off dresses made to order, or view some ready made silk dresses which you can buy online or make an appointment to view them at my base in Tunbridge Wells. A collection of bridal headdresses, beaded bags and hand painted silk scarves can also be purchased online fromt his website.

Originality - My objective is to create one-off or small editions of hand made quality dresses and ladies separates which are hand crafted with a couture finish. Simple, elegant wedding dresses, bias cut silk wedding dresses and bridal gowns, evening dresses and prom dresses, as well as ladies suits for registry office weddings or other such simple ceremonies; formal and informal dresses, including ladies classic day wear such as day dresses and ladies separates; skirts, blouses and ladies suits (skirt and jacket). I specialise in bias cut dresses, silk dresses and soft, fluid clothes. I only work from patterns which I make myself. N.B. I DO NOT WORK FROM OTHER PEOPLE’S DESIGNS, PATTERNS OR PHOTOGRAPHS

Appointments

If you would like me to design an original dress for you, please phone or e-mail me to discuss your requirements. All consultations are by appointment at my base in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, during which time I will prepare a preliminary sketch of a design for you with a written estimate. I have portfolios of photos and sketches of my designs for original dresses for you to browse through and some sample silk dresses which you can also look at. Appointments may be made during the week in the daytime, and if time permits in the early evening (up to 7.30 p.m.) or on a Saturday, although weekends are not always possible. Between 2 and 6 fittings may be needed, depending on the style.

Silk and natural fabrics

I have several ranges of fabrics from which cut lengths can be ordered for the dresses and ladies separates which I design. I prefer to work with natural fabrics although I do also consider quality synthetics

A wide variety of 100% Silk fabrics including vegetable dyed Silk Dupion

Spun Silk such as Eri, Tussah and Muga from India

Lace all-overs and trimmings (various fibres) plus fancy tulles

Organic cottons

‘Special order’ hand woven Himalayan fabrics: merino sheep wool, camel, lambs wool, pashmina wool and oak silk

78 % Mohair fabric (with 13% wool & 9% nylon) in over 40 colours, plus linens.

High quality UK produced cashmere in dress/suit and coat weights; plains, herringbones and other weaves in a classic palette as well as subtle colours.

Quality synthetics, plus a wide selection of acetate, viscose and cupro linings.

from Savile Row, high quality worsted/silk mixtures in the finest of weights in classic checks, houndstooth and herringbone weaves in a range of soft sheen colours; plain worsteds, Black Tie cloths, cotton/modal velvet plus Harris Tweeds.

organic tweeds un-dyed or naturally dyed, made in Scotland from UK produced wools in classic colours as well as natural white, soft pinks and blues.

If you wish me to design you a dress using fabric you supply, please check the amount and type of fabric with me before purchasing it, to ensure it will be suitable, that there will be enough and if I will work with it. I do not work with very heavy or hard fabrics as all my sewing is done by hand.

Toile - If you are unsure of the style, then a toile can be made. This is a “mock up” of the design made in an economically priced fabric, although I will try to use fabric that has a similar weight and drape to the fabric that the design will be made in. A toile will incur extra charges of between £50 and £250. I always recommend a toile for complex garments, as this gives an idea of how the design will look, before cutting the fabric for the finished garment. The design can be refined during the making process.

Notice - A minimum of several weeks notice is required for simple original dresses, but several months notice may be needed for wedding dresses, depending on the style of the dress and the volume of work I have in hand.

Prices - I charge £12.50 per hour for making up the garment and £25 per hour for designing. There is a minimum Design fee of £25. The following is an indication of starting prices:

ROUGH GUIDE TO PRICES

(PLUS THE COST OF MATERIALS)

Blouses from £100

Skirts from £100

Unlined Day Dress from £200

Lined Day Dress from £275

Lined Jackets from £200

Lined Suits (skirt and jacket) from £300

Evening Dresses from £400

Simple Wedding Dress from £500
Bridal Gowns from £750

In practice, a wedding outfit including fabric, design fee and labour, may cost between £600 and £3000, although the costs of a very complex gown may be higher.

There are a few things I do not do. I do not design or make trousers as I am a “dress lady”. I do not work from ready made paper patterns, nor make up other people’s designs, because I design all the clothes myself, and I do not use a sewing machine. What I do do, is create unique, elegant hand made ladies clothes: wedding dresses, evening dresses and other special occasion dresses as well as classic day wear. These quality, original dresses are hand crafted giving the clothes a soft, couture finish.

Hand Made Dresses

This slide show is of pictures of a small selection of original one off dresses that I created from my own patterns. Most of these were created for individual clients so they are NOT for sale; they are one-off designs which give an indication of styling and price guidelines.

These are “one-off” dresses so each original dress is individually priced.

If you would like a ready-to-wear dress, browse Silk Dresses and Ladies Separates