Vintage Wedding Gowns Redesign and Reconstruction

 

Family love history plays a big role in a wedding.  Most brides value that sentimental piece of jewelry, gloves, veils, bridal gowns etc. and would like to marry with “something” old” along with “something blue” and “something new” as an Old English custom says.

Here at Lordana Designs, we feel the same way and  appreciate vintage wedding dresses from your family such as your mother or grandmother or even from vintage/consignment stores because to us, each vintage dress has a story to tell, and needs to be passed down to generations to come.

One of bespoke designer Guerda Pierre's passion and specialization is in redesigning and reconstructing your vintage bridal gowns. Vintage gowns are very fragile, and it requires specific skills to redesign and reconstruct. Using quality couture sewing techniques, we will turn your vintage bridal gowns into a modern, updated look yet keeping the originality and authenticity still.

The process of redesigning and reconstructing your vintage bridal gown is more or less the same as if you were altering a new wedding dress. First, we will set up a consultation to decide what kind of design and details you would like to keep, and what kind of elements you would like to add. Every dress has a different design, fabrics, finishing of the garment; thus sometimes the dress is not doable to be redesigned in what you would like. Guerda will give you her professional opinion based on the garment during consultation concerning with your  wedding dress

 All work is done at our Brooklyn Studio and our  custom work is priced based on hours that we need to put into plus cost of materials. Our hourly rate of labor such as measuring, re-cutting, and sewing  from $50.00 and up. Usually, it takes minimum of 15 to 20  hours to re-cut, redesign, and reconstruct the wedding gown. It will be best if you have your budget that you feel comfortable with so that we can narrow down the options of fabrics, and design details to adjust to your budget.

We have quality couture/vintage fabrics from reliable, well-known fabric companies. We can find the best fabrics to match your vintage dress as well as vintage laces, and trims.

Once we finalize the design details and the best matching fabrics, your gown  look as good as new to make your dream come true!

Excellent choice, you decided to hire us to help you fulfill your dreams. Super! Here are some policy items set in place to protect both of us. We have seen lots  of brides come through here, so it's absolutely important to set some expectations and boundaries to make you feel at ease.

1. Agreeing with Policy

By scheduling an appointment and engaging in our services, you are agreeing with the policy put here on this page. 

2. Scheduling

You can make an appointment any day of the week. Phone calls are not always accepted if with another customer or out of the studio.  You are more than welcome to leave a message  or a text. 

One of the best ways to contact Lordana is via email at info@lordana.com by typing a message in the contact page at the bottom of the website.

If you are sure of booking an appointment and have no further question, you can always book an appointment yourself here: 

Email confirmation is sent to you after you have successfully booked online with us.

For outbound and international clients we use Skype or any social media video platforms to connect with you.

Appointments are made on a first come basis. However, we do take into account the day of your wedding, or the day by which you need your dress.

2A. Quick Turnarounds  

Lordana does NOT charge any rush fees for work that is needed in a short time frame. however, we do reserve the right to refuse these customers due to scheduling conflicts and lack of availability. It's best to ask before hand if your alterations can be done quickly. 

3. General Turn Around

Normally, the alteration process only takes about 2-3 weeks. Certain items such as custom dresses or reconstruction of a dress may take longer.

For basic alterations, please refrain from booking an appointment more than 6 months before your wedding date. We may ask you to choose another date for your first fitting if it was booked too far in advance from your wedding date.

You will be asked to make an appointment for you final fitting after you first come in.

4. Keeping your Appointment

 Life happens sometimes, in the event you are going to be late please contact us immediately. If you are more than 20 minutes behind, we may not be able to accommodate you depending on the other bookings within that day.

We may not be ready to accept you if you are early for you appointment. There is no waiting area so it's best to arrive on time.

5. Guests

You may bring the guests to your appointment for moral support. Bare in mind that our space is very limited, please refrain from having no more than two guests accompany you.

6. Cancellations and Rescheduling

There is no penalty for cancelling your appointment!

If you need to reschedule an existing consultation or fitting, your confirmation email will have a link that can be used for this purpose. Of course, you are able to call in and ask for a different day or time as well.

Keep in mind there may be no availability for a few weeks if you cancel or look to reschedule.

7. Amount of Appointments

A bride receiving basic alterations is allowed 2-3 appointments (and in some circumstances 4).

  • First fitting

  • Any adjustments after initial  redesign alterations

  • Final, pick-up fitting

All appointments after the allotted amount of fitting are subject to a $45 appointment fee. This fee is added on a case by case basis.

8. Dress Adjustments

Weight and size fluctuation that causes alterations to be redone are subject to a charge of 50% the original price of that alteration.

9. Undergarment and Shoes

It is not necessary to bring you the  actual shoes that you will be wearing with your gown. You do, however, need to know your desired heel height. This is in order to have your perfect hem length. Not knowing the height of your hem, and thus causing an additional appointment, may allow us to charge an appointment fee.

Changing you shoes may also require a hem to be redone, which is charged at 70% the original hem.

Bra cups can be added to your dress for additional fee. If you plan on wearing special or specific under undergarment that effect the fit of your dress, please wear them to your fittings.


11. Estimates

We value transparency in the services we provide. Ask, and a quote can be provided for alterations upon request. Please email us a few pictures, preferably of you in your dress and we will return a price quote as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that prices can vary after you come in for your first appointment. Some things such as dress layers and other details are not easily visible in a picture which is what would cause discrepancy between your estimate and the actual price of work. Sometimes prices are often lower than expected as well!

12. Refunds on Redesign and Alterations

Here at Lordana,  it is not required to offer any refunds. However,  we  will  be more than happy to listen to  your unfortunate situation and complaints and handle them accordingly. We do believe that  there is a solution for any problems.