Your own design or one of ours: where to start

When to send your own design

What this route asks of you is a clearer brief: the more exactly you describe seams, lengths and fabric, the closer the result. Our guides to briefing a tailor with screenshots and describing a design in words make that easier, and we confirm in the written quote what is possible on your fabric and design. It is the right start when:

• You have a reference. A screenshot, a photo of an outfit you own, a sketch or a written description all work.
• The idea combines things. The neckline from one picture, the sleeve from another and a length of your own.
• The garment is not among our designs. A co-ord, a particular kurta shape, an abaya, a skirt.
• You already own the fabric and know what you want it to become.
• The change you want goes beyond the options offered on our designs, such as a different cut altogether.

When to start from one of ours

The changes you can ask for on our designs are the choices on the quote form: the pieces (adding or leaving out a dupatta, adding a waistcoat), neckline, sleeves, kameez length, trouser style, lining, embroidery level, and whether we supply the fabric or you do. Not every option applies to every design. Starting here makes sense when:

• You like a design as shown, or nearly.
• You would rather choose than invent. Picking from set options is quicker than specifying everything.
• You want to see the idea finished first. Our tiered maxi dress, shirt dress and embroidered karandi suit are shown in photographs, so you are not imagining the result from a description.
• You are ordering for the first time and want fewer decisions.

In between? A few common cases

Plenty of requests sit somewhere between the two. These examples show which way each one tips.

• “I like your shirt dress but want it longer, with full sleeves.” Customise ours; both are choices on the form.
• “I like your karandi suit but in a completely different cut.” Send your own design and attach ours as a reference.
• “I have a photo, but I am not sure about the neckline.” Send your design and say in your notes that you would like a suggestion; what we propose is written into the quote for you to approve.
• “I have an unstitched suit and no firm idea.” Either works. Browse the style library for necklines and sleeves and describe your choices, or pick one of our designs and ask for it in your fabric, which we confirm before you post anything.
• “I want exactly what a brand’s catalogue shows.” Send it as a reference. We work from the picture and are not connected with the brand.

What is the same either way

Whichever door you use, the order runs identically afterwards. You give your measurements in centimetres or inches. The written quote sets out the agreed design, fabric, measurements, customisation, total cost, delivery arrangements and processing time, and nothing is made until you have approved it and paid in full. Making takes 5 to 7 working days from that point, or from your fabric reaching us on Stitching Only, and shipping time is separate.

You can also change course before the quote is agreed. If the change you want turns out to be bigger than the form allows, send it as your own design with ours as the reference; if your own idea turns out to be close to one of ours, starting from ours may be simpler. To begin, send your design or customise one of ours.