Haute couture.
One-of-a-kind pieces, built entirely by hand on the form, for a single wearer.
The discipline the rest of the studio takes its standards from. Drafted on a specific form, sewn by hand, fitted twice, and finished to a standard that does not have a price floor.
Recent commission · before delivery
Built by hand on the form
A single garment, drafted on a specific form, sewn by hand, fitted twice, and finished without a price floor.
Haute couture, as we practice it, is the literal meaning. We hold to the discipline because it is what teaches the room everything else we make.
The atelier closes to other work during fittings. Three minimum, sometimes five or more.
Including the parts no one will see from the outside.
"If a house cannot build one piece this way, it cannot honestly claim to build five."
The movements.
Couture, as we do it, runs in five movements over roughly twelve weeks. Below is what each one looks like from the bench.
The commission.
A first conversation, in person where possible or over a long letter where not. We talk about the piece, the wearer, the occasion, the fabric. We sketch on tracing paper together. Nothing is committed until we have agreed on what we are making and why. About two weeks, end to end.
The toile.
A first version cut in inexpensive cotton, fitted on you, and adjusted on the form. The toile finds the problems before they become expensive. Sometimes the toile is the moment the design changes; we keep notes on every alteration and they become the working pattern. Two to three weeks.
The fabric.
The cloth is chosen and ordered, often from mills in Lyon, Como, or Kyoto. We test for shrinkage, drape, and dye-fastness before cutting. If the piece requires embroidery, beading, or hand-painted surfaces, the bench-work begins now. Three to four weeks.
The construction.
Cut by hand from the working pattern. Sewn by hand at every construction-critical seam. Hemmed by hand. Pressed at every step. The piece moves from the cutting table to the bench to the form and back, sometimes twenty times. Three to four weeks.
The delivery.
A final fitting, in the atelier, with any last adjustments performed on you. The piece is pressed once more, stored on a couture form for transport, and either collected or shipped under signature. The pattern, toile, and working notes remain in our archive in your name. One week.
"Couture is the room you can call when you want one thing, built the way it would have been built before anyone learned how to build it faster."
The atelierRecent commissions.
A small selection of completed pieces, photographed in the atelier before delivery.
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CommissionThe same money, spent three ways.
| This atelier | Off the rack | A local tailor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut from | Your measurements, drafted fresh | A size chart built for nobody | Your measurements |
| Fabric | Sourced from France, Italy and Japan | Whatever the season stocked | What the shop carries |
| Embellishment | Hand work at our own bench, hours stated | Printed or glued on | Usually sent out |
| The price | Fixed in writing before cutting | Fixed, plus alterations later | Discovered at the end |
| Changes | Designed in from the first sketch | Pinned on afterwards | Limited by the base garment |
| If it is not right | One alteration pass included | Store returns policy | Negotiated |
The piece, and the proof.
The gown, then the wing seam at thread level. Click the detail to inspect it.
One gown, every number stated.
Asked before every order.
What does a couture commission cost?
Commissions start at $3,200, and delivered pieces typically run $6,000 to $15,000 depending on handwork density. The price is fixed in writing before anything is cut.
Who actually makes the piece?
Our own bench: couturiers in Paris, with fabrics sourced globally from France, Italy and Japan, and most work custom made in-house. Every photograph on this site is our own work.
How long does it take?
Typically 8 to 14 weeks including toile and fittings. Event dates are planned backwards and confirmed honestly before we accept the commission.
What if it does not fit when it arrives?
Measurements are taken by guided video call, a toile is approved before the real cloth is cut, and one alteration pass after delivery is included.
Commissions are accepted by arrangement.
Write to the atelier with the piece, the occasion, and the timeline. Five lines is enough. The founder writes back within 48 business hours with a fixed number and a real timeline.
Client work from this atelier has been featured in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and TIME.
48h fixed quote · wrong sample? remade free · your tech pack stays yours
No spam, no sales calls. The founder reads every brief personally. Average first reply: 31 hours. The atelier accepts a limited number of new brands each season. Next sample slots: 2 to 3 weeks out.