Expert: Jenna McAuliffe - 5/18/2009

Question
Hi Jenna,
Do you know of anyone in the industry who will cutom make a ballroom dancing
dress, I have been surfing the net and can't seem to find anyone in NZ (might be
looking in all the wrong places). Am dubious about ordering from overseas. I
guess it is quite a specialist area when using lycra and getting the fall etc right.
Thank you

Answer
Hi Nikola!

You know, I really wish I could be more help but I did some searching too, and came up empty.  

The ballroom dance dress suppliers in NZ all supply overseas dresses anyway and seem to only do online orders, so you're no better off than ordering online from overseas.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a talented dressmaker who enjoys projects like yours.  I haven't found anyone listing it in their skills, but there must be some out there - I know I do, so I can't be the only one!!

If you find someone who says they can do what you want, talk to them thoroughly, show them pictures, then have a second meeting with both of you bringing any ideas, fabric samples etc - do this before you confirm the project with them.  The reason for this is that your dress/dresses is/are a big project.  There is a lot of pattern drafting, designing and hand work involved, so it will not be a fast or inexpensive thing to do.  Judging from the prices of the ones I have seen, you may be looking at upward of $1000 for a reasonably basic gown - but that depends entirely on your needs.

As I said, I wish I could help further, but please ask if there's anything more you'd like to ask me.  Alternatively you can email me direct on jen_mca@hotmail.com - I'm happy to do all I can to help

Jenna