PROCESS

 Here’s a visual story to share the magic of hand crafting our creations should you work with us directly at our Fitzroy atelier. The process can vary if you purchase from afar.

Photography by: Harmsworth & Collins (Colour)  Ruth Clifford (Black & White)

FIRST APPOINTMENT

Visiting our atelier is essentially a dress up session! I’ll present our collection and during the appointment I identify your needs and what you are drawn to from our designs. Each gown is individually crafted in our atelier in Fitzroy where you also try on the gowns so depending on time, budget, taste and your personality I can guide through the permutations within the designs we offer.  For instance you might like a beading on one dress, the fabrications of another & the colour of something else. Not everything can be done but we can certainly create a gown that suits your individuality if you choose to.

We encourage clients to not bring too many people to this first appointment in fact sometimes coming alone is better. Too many cooks can make the experience overwhelming and stressful and I always aim to make it a fun relaxing journey.  Select guests wisely so you have the head space to edit and digest what feels right without too many opinions.

It's best to wear nude underwear as to not distract from the visual whilst selecting. We find clients tend to try about 8 styles in the time allocated but if you do a bit of research on our gallery of recommended undergarments prior it makes selecting a lot easier.

Alternatively if you cannot visit we are always happy to coordinate a virtual appointment.

SECOND APPOINTMENT

We know it can be overwhelming deciding on a gown so we find most clients need a second appointment. This is a great appointment to bring trusted friends to help with selection. Here clients retry favourites and any gowns that may have been overlooked at the first appointment. Generally this is a time to refine colours and ideas but these can also be decided later at the measure should you choose to proceed with ordering a gown with us.

MEASURE

If you decide on working with us to make a gown we schedule a measure.. At this appointment the dress will be analysed from top to bottom and I will guide you on how we can make the design right for your needs. Basic measurements will be taken and also clarification of any  colours and details should you wish to personalise the design further. With over 35 years of experience this is where I can technically and aesthetically guide you with what is achievable and flattering plus problem solve any unique requests. I like to work with you but will always advise what I think is most flattering but fundamentally it is YOUR dress so it must be what is right for you.

I will also step through any styling elements and appropriate underwear at this appointment and answer any questions.

If you aren't able to visit our boutique and cannot be measured by us we can do virtual appointments and guide you here.

CUSTOM DESIGNS

Depending on your selection, I might present design solutions with sketches . This is generally with clients requiring a custom gown. If you wish for a custom design we don’t have in the collection an appointment can be made to explore alternative ideas to what is in the collection's offer at our designing hourly rate. We encourage clients to be guided through our collection over a 1/2hour complimentary consultation, for the first phase of refining ideas . Please contact us for rates on this service.

BEADING DEVELOPMENT

All our embellishment designs are created exclusively for the label inspired by architecture and patterns from my imagination. They are not a length of cloth developed elsewhere. Should you select a design with beading it will be individually hand beaded for your order. Some of our designs are proportionally manipulated by computer for orders which is so great for non standard sized people particularly petite or extra tall clients (this is generally for our beaded dresses, not for designs with collar placements). Clients who have the time can explore alternative options and alter most of our beading designs. If requested, we can create a small motif (for a fee) before we proceed for peace of mind at a fee.

I works closely to perfect my unique embellishments choosing each bead, colour and thread with precision, for me it is my art. For orders we outsource this part of the process to keep the gowns affordable for our clientele. Unfortunately there are no hand beading companies based in Australia. We have been working for over 20 years with a high end artisan company who make for the couture collections of the likes of Balmain, YSL. Marni, Valentino, Chloe, Oscar de Le Renta and Dior. As much as we would love to do this part of the process in house it can take 4 days to create a 10cm X 10cm piece of our embellishment so it is impossible to make hand beading affordable for our clients in our studio. 

FIRST FITTING

The first fitting is the basic foundation of the design selected. This allows us to approve the pattern before we go into more of the complex stages of the gown manufacture. Generally this is the “base” or “foundations” of the gown without any of the overlay treatments. If you have selected a design with beading we like to have that ready for the first fit too so you can visualise the total look. This stage can be confusing and isn't the most flattering part of the process but is crucial; like the foundations of a house as we can get the structure perfected before we put the windows and doors on! Some would call this a “toile” which is traditionally done in calico however we use the fabrications of your gown for a much more accurate fit. however cut it a bit too long and with enormous seams so we can adjust if necessary.

We adjust one side of the garment only and between the fittings we balance the two sides & approve it at your next fitting, plus track your measurements.

SECOND FITTING

The gown is assembled further for a second fitting. If there is any hand draping this is usually applied at this stage and the design is much easier to visualise!  The lining will not be in yet so we can easily access any further adjustments. This is a good fitting to bring guests. Areas that are adjustable such as the back, straps etc are still left unfinished and/or safety pinned together. This allows for body changes, an assessment of the look and also to double check details as much of the gown must be pulled apart and re made to get to this second stage. At this point it is ascertained if more adjustments to your pattern will be made depending on your size and to your approval with a consistent aim to ensure the gown sits to your satisfaction.

We work with small fine safety pins to secure highlight embellishments and laces in the first stages of fitting your gown. Simply so they don't fall out!

Here clients might like to look at accessories and veils so it's a good idea to really have thought about your hairstyle to compliment these accessories and shoes at this fitting.

FIT CHECK

We schedule a fit check one month before your wedding to review measurements before we complete the gown. This is also aligned with your cycle so if you are inclined to fluctuate monthly it is telling of how you shall be on the day. Here we mark out trains and hems to complete the gown, so it is essential clients have their shoes for this appointment. We analyse measurements which we track over the course of crafting the gown and discuss how the gown is to fit at completion.

FINISHING

Between fit check and pick up all the hand finishing is completed such as buttons and loops and the beading is hand secured down and a final press.

PICK UP

We coordinate pick up two weeks before the event. This can vary depending on where a client lives, wedding location, pregnancy, health, weight loss, etc. We schedule this during the working week for full focus in our atelier on Saturdays are too busy. Also our sewing team are on hand on weekdays should there be any last minute adjustments required.

At this appointment you get to walk around and test the train & we double check everything is to your satisfaction.

EVENT

The gown is complete and it's time to marry one’s love, go to the event, enjoy that significant birthday or some other special occasion... We are ALWAYS thrilled to see our clients wear their Gwendolynne gowns on treasured days in their life. The favourite part of our job is seeing photos of our clients and real brides at their weddings and events. We have tips for care just in case you're having too much fun and red wine befriends your gown & other unthinkable things that might happen. But what's most important is you have fun.

Gwendolynne is proudly Australian Made and I treasure keeping the rare hand crafting skills alive in my small business. If you ever want to take a look deeper into our atelier we are always proud and happy to show the space and introduce you to the makers behind the scenes.

And don't forget we are upstairs above Donna Sheridan hairdressers so you'll need to come around the back and press the buzzer below the “Gwendolynne”name plate.

We really look forward to meeting you & sharing our world!