Archive for category Designer Style Replicas

Simple Answer: When you know it’s a replica. Don’t stop reading yet, I do have a point here. Now, if you purchased a $3000 Designer Gown on sale for $2000 and when it arrived, you discovered it was a replica – you have been riped off! You could probably have gotten that same replica from an honest seller for 1/3 of that price! But is you purchased a replica of that $3000 gown for $600, that is a smart bride making a smart choice!

There is a common belief today, that designer gowns cost more because they are better materials, better quality and better workmanship. As a designer myself, I can vouch for the fact that this is not necessarily true. For example, there is a well known designer in the US who uses the same manufacturer as I. Her dresses are made from the same materials, by the same seamstresses as mine. Her gowns retail for $3000 – $5000 across North America. Yet I can sell the sell similar styles made by the same manufacturer, for under $1000 and still make a nice profit! Starting to wonder what all the extra money pays for? It’s not the quality or the material obviously. It’s the label – or to be precise – the name on the label!

With wedding budgets that can get so quickly out of hand, many brides are already starting to recognize the benefit of a designer inspired or replica gown. Some designers are adding designer inspired gowns to their own collections!

Have another design in mind? Of perhaps you want a combination of 2 or more styles? When picking someone to make your custom gown, here are a few things to look for:

- past experience with replicas, including pictures of replicas they have done

- experience with wedding gowns in general

- some sort of satisfaction policy – for example, at Chrys Cross Bridal, pictures are provided prior to shipping in case adjustments need to be made.

Benefits of a replica

- customize it to suit, if it isn’t perfect, have adjustments made

- get a plus size designer style (most designers only make to size 16 or 18)

- save a great deal of money and use it somehwere else

There is no reason why your budget needs to determine your dress style! If you have a designer style in mind, but don’t have the budget, then a replica is the perfect solution. Even if you did have the budget – think of all the other things that money could do! After all, you are the only one who needs to know what the label says. Well, you and hubby, but I doubt he’ll be looking at the label:)

EDITORS NOTE: We get a lot of inquiries about this dress/coat. It is Snowdrop from the Aspera Collection by Swedish Designer, Alicja Eklöw.

I read an interesting article today on designer, couture wedding gowns and I wanted to discuss some of the myths and truths behind some of what was written! As someone who sells both private label and designs my own Haute Couture label, here is my thoughts on the article.

“Nothing beats designer bridal gowns when it comes to workmanship and uniqueness.”

This may, or may not be true. Some no name labels are poorer quality. But, I have worked with some suppliers for years who also work on brand name lines. For example, one company that I worked with also did a well known designer line which retailed for $3000 – $5000 and yet I could have similar styles, with the same fabrics and made by the same staff members, for $200 – $800! Yes, designer can mean quality BUT high quality affordable gowns do exist as well.

“Designer bridal gowns are made with natural fabrics that let your skin breathe, which is not always the case with off-the-rack dresses.”

Not true at all. Take a look at the designer specs – it it says SATIN that is the same satin as the off the rack dresses (and lots of designers have $3000+ dresses made from satin!) Likewise, silk is silk, chiffon is chiffon. You can find the same fabrics in off-the-rack dresses at lower prices.

“And unlike ready-made gowns, a designer bridal gown is molded to flatter your figure. You can be fitted for the right trim, silhouette, and length. The gown can therefore highlight the areas you want to show off, and hide the areas you want to conceal.”

Also not necessarily true. Yes, if you buy an off-the-rack gown, you will need alterations in order to get that same custom fit. But – this is still a lot cheaper then buying a designer gown! Also, most bridal salons include professional alterations and MANY online boutiques offer custom made to your measurement service for no additional charge!

“When you choose to buy couture bridal wear, you will likewise get to personally pick out the fabric and dictate the detailing. The dress will be one-of-a-kind, causing you to feel extra-special on your wedding day.”

Again – this service is also available from many smaller companies and designers who do not charge a ton extra for the label on the back of the dress. In fact – I did one custom design for a bride recently, in the fabric, color and design of her choice for just over $300! Even on a budget, it is possible to get a unique, perfect gown made just for you.

“Keep in mind that a wedding is no reason to go broke. Don’t buy an expensive gown if you cannot afford it. Instead, buy your gown from specialty stores that offer ‘designer-inspired’ versions which look just as good as the original designs, but are made with less expensive fabrics. “

First, yes a wedding is NOT a reason to go broke, lol. As for designer-inspired versions using less expensive fabrics, this is not always true either. I have done replicas of $4000 dresses, for $800 or less – using the exact same fabrics. Some brides may choose to use a different fabric to save even more. For example, a dress that is $400 in silk maybe only $450 in satin, a large savings if you are on a tight budget. But again, that is a choice.

Of course, this may be a stupid thing for me to post-as much as I like the idea that my label might make the a dress worth more – I think brides should not be taken advantage of. Demand can raise prices – but a designer label is not necessarily a better dress: it may very well be just a tag on the back of the dress that only you will ever see.

UPDATE: A lot of readers have been asking about the gown shown here. I had originally had a link to the dress maker but the link no longer works and I have been unable to find the gown. I have debated about removing the picture but since it is so popular, I will leave it up. If ANYONE knows who the designer is, please let me know. What I do know is that it is European and there was only one US distributor. If you want this coat, feel free to take the photo to your seamstress and see if they can make a replica for you.

If you are a BRIDES Magazine addict, you may recognize these shoes. They are the sleek knotted slides featured on page 52 of the July/August 2006 issue. These designer silk-satin shoes are from Hollywould and retail for $385. A bit much for your budget? Right now, the designer shoes are on sale right now for only $231!

For those of you who would never spend $200 on a pair of shoes, wedding or no wedding, check out Target's Palmer Knotted Slides by Mossimo. The white and bronze versions sell for $19 and the black version is $25.