Our bespoke appointments ensure that designing your wedding dress isn’t just a purchase, but a once in a lifetime experience. Your appointment is one-on-one with Clara and will be your chance to try on all of the core styles finding out what style suits you best.
With the inspiration you have come up with, we work together to finalise your design. We will work within your budget to find the highest quality fabric that will complement the style that you have chosen.
You’re moving into your ‘wife era’ - it’s so worth creating the dress of your dreams. Can’t wait to meet you!

Custom Wedding Dresses

Our Process

Consultation

Either over video or at the atelier we will discuss the ideas you have for designs and fabrics. It is also your chance to try on all the core styles to work out what you look and feel best in. Your measurements will be taken and you will walk away with a drawing of your dream dress.

Fittings

Once I have all of the information I need, I’ll provide you with a quote. Once you’re happy to proceed, I’ll get started on a mock-up dress followed by the real one! We will have 3-5 fittings throughout the process to get the fit absolutely perfect!

Working with Mel was a dream! She was feeling the pressure of finding the perfect dress and found going for a custom design took away the stress. She was able to focus on what she liked and felt comfortable in. It’s an exciting time but can be overwhelming with lots of opinions so going down for custom path was perfect for Mel.

Mel’s Experience

“ Clara was exceptional! Very talented. I am so glad I found her. She’s so patient and put up with my last minute amendments like it was no drama at all. 10/10 would recommend!”

- Mel

Frequently Asked Question

  • Custom wedding dresses start from $4500 however our dresses typically cost around $5900

  • Ideally, I like to work with a 5 month lead time but get in touch if you have a wedding closer than that, and I’m sure we can work something out.

  • The artelier is located on the lower level of a home at 8 Mt Hobson Lane, Remuera, Auckland.

  • I have worked for leading New Zealand designers Kate Sylvester, Zambezi and Amber Whitecliffe. Graduating from Whitecliffe with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design, Clara has also established fine jewellery company Capellia, that works primarily with pearls, and is stocked in boutiques nationwide.

  • Absolutely not! We can do the consultation over Google Meet and I can send you a measurement guide to get us stared. You will have to be able to make it to 2 appointments (minimum) so we can get the fit perfect!

Finding the right dress is not easy. Often, you’ll find a dress that you love, but there’s something about it that’s not quite right. With Clara there are no hidden costs and you can trust that we will not stop until your dress is perfect! After all, it’s not every day that you wear a gown as special as a wedding dress.