The Atelier
Hey there!:) So you’re probably thinking to yourself: “….hmm, I wonder if I can customize my own dress at Fermare?”. That’s a great question, and I’m really excited to tell you more about the Atelier:P
For a quote on an Atelier garment, contact us through the channels below.
Welcome to the Atelier?
Are you searching for your dream dress – then you’ve found the right place. At the Fermare studio we do custom couture garments for special occasions, such as for your dream wedding, or a special evening ballroom dance.
Our dresses are made to order with the designer guiding you throughout the whole process. A Fermare couture dress is minimalism to perfection. We specialise in beautifully draping dresses that accent the wearer’s features.
Our dresses are perfect for the minimalist bride, and will fit any type of wedding – from an elopement wedding or courthouse wedding, all the way to a full wedding with all the bells and whistles. Our dress designs cater for any wedding plan you may have in mind.
A minimalist dress will work particularly well for small intimate weddings, destination weddings or even as a second dress. It has become quite popular to have two wedding dresses for your big day. This trend allows the bride to express herself throughout the day with many styles – a more elaborate dress for the ceremony, and a more comfortable and fun dress that the bride can move easily in, for the reception.
So what is an Atelier?
An Atelier is simply the private workshop or studio of the designer. Ateliers are where designs and the arts are conceived and created; and at Fermare this is where you’ll be able to get work which is more tailored to your specific desires.
How does it work?
To get a custom Fermare dress, please get in contact with use through Whatsapp, Instagram or email. We can then organise an initial consultation session, which will include a quick measuring session, quick design sketching, etc. The whole dress is designed from scratch starting from patternmaking, then a mockup dress is sewn up to do the first fitting. The mockup dress is marked and pinned, and then taken apart to update the initial pattern. This step may be done more than once depending on the complexity of the design. The dress is then sewn up using the final fabric, and more fittings and adjustments would be done. This whole process ensures a perfect fitting dream dress for your special day. Lead time for a wedding dress would typically start from 3 months minimum. This is will be much longer for complex designs. Please take note of this, and make sure you have enough time so that you won’t be disappointed.
The Different Levels of Customization.
Level 1 is the most basic form of customization, and is the most affordable option with prices similar or slightly higher than Ready-to-Wear. Browse through our catalogue of historic designer patterns; find the design you love, and customize the fabric, colour and size. The level 1 dress is made to standard graded sizes (as well and intermediate half steps), to be more affordable, however, it is recommended that you send us your measurements so that we can size the final garment to fit you perfectly.
Level 2 customization gives you more flexibility and uniqueness in your final design. Prices typically start from R1500 plus, and includes a first consultation and measurement, as well as final fitting. Browse through our catalogue of historic designer patterns; and customize the design to your exact requirements. Choose any fabric and colour of your choice; and customize the design elements such as skirt length, neckline, fit and flare, and size to your exact requirements. You can also add specific details such as slits, extensions, etc.
This is the perfect option if you are looking for an Occasion dress.
Level 3 customization is the highest form of custom dress – this is high Couture. Prices typically start from R3 000 to over R15 000, and includes an initial consultation where I take your measurements and discuss the various design ideas as well as fabric options with you. I then take your ideas and create a new design using fashion sketches which you will approve. A pattern is then drafted according to your unique measurements, and a first fitting and final fitting of the garment will be done. I will personally work with you to come up with a unique design based off of the initial ideas and concepts you have in mind. The end product will be a unique Fermare dress, made in the style of the studio.
At the Atelier we do not simply recreate a design from an image that you send us, instead we re-interpret the design into a Fermare dress – a truly beautiful, minimalist garment that can stand the test of time.
