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Frequently
Asked Questions for Purchasing or Renting a Customized Original Art Gown
What do you do?
I create one-of-a-kind wedding gowns, evening
gowns and costumes.
How?
I hand-paint the beaded bodices and trains, the entire skirt of the gown
to another color, or photo-collage photographs or my own artwork onto a removable
train or underskirt. I also hand-paint and photo-collage figurative
paintings onto the trains.
 
Who are your customers?
A customized bridal gown, evening gown or costume is perfect for the woman who would
like something different and original for her wedding, formal function
or performance. Sometimes it's a bride who wants something different and original, or who is getting married for the
second time and wants a less traditional dress, the woman who wants a
really unique evening gown for that special occasion, the designer or performer who wants
something really original to enhance her performance or a costume designer
looking for original art period-influenced costumes.
How does customizing
my own gown work?
Easy. You purchase your own gown from the retailer of your choice, from me,
or one from our friends at Vows
Bridal Outlet who offers New York designer wedding gowns at discount
prices. Once I see your gown, I'll
draw up illustrations with several options of color and
customizing. Once
you make the selection of how much customizing you want, I provide the
budget, you send me the dress and I'll customize it according to your
specifications.
What kinds of gowns do you have?
I have sample gowns from liquidaters who are getting rid of their current lines. Most are
in sizes 4-12. I've illustrated some examples and have many current
and traditional styles.
How long customizing a gown take?
Since each gown is hand-done it can take anywhere from a few weeks to
a few months. The more time I have the better, however, depending on the
time of year and the amount of work you want done, I can work within a
tight deadline.
Sounds great, but how
much does it cost?
Much of the entire cost will depend on how much your original gown costs.
Customizing can start as little as a few hundred dollars for a decorative
bodice. If you want the entire gown repainted and the beads of the bodice
and train, then the price will increase. It all depends on how much beading
is on your dress, if you're changing the entire color, and how decorative
you'd like the piece to be. But it's probably not as much as you may think.
What kinds of gowns do
you customize?
The easiest gowns are those that start off white or off-white, which is
why wedding gowns work so well.
You said something about
removable trains with photographs?
For the bride who would like to commemorate her family as she's going
down the aisle, a removable train can be created of her family's ancestoral
photographs. I did one that had my own, my grandmothers' and parents wedding
photos. It adds a nice personal touch to your wedding ceremony.
How is that done?
You provide me with the photographs, I scan them in, colorize them to
whatever tint you'd like and photo-transfer them onto a removable train.
The photos can also be transferred onto an underskirt or to the back of
any gown.
How much does that cost?
If you provide the train, the photo-collaged element starts at five hundred
dollars. We can also have a train made for you, in the same fabric as
your gown, for a few hundred dollars.
I'm a costume designer
with a theater company and can't afford thousands of dollars for a gown.
No problem. The main cost of the gown itself is the fabric. Performing
artists and costume designers may be able to use gowns of lesser quality
fabric since the gown would most likely be painted anyway. We also offer
a discounted rate for several gowns for a theatrical performance. Plus renting
is always a nice option.
How does renting a gown work?
If my gowns aren't currently on exhibit
in a gallery they're available for a rental fee plus shipping. The fee for rental
varies depending on
how many gowns you need, for how long, and where you live. Since most of the gowns are from
samples they range from U.S. sizes 4-12 with most being 8-10.
It's a great option instead of purchasing
an expensive gown you may only wear once or twice.
I love this idea but don't think
I can afford it for my wedding.
Give us a try, we work within all budgets or you may want to consider renting. We
also have access to sample or previously worn gowns at less expensive
prices. There are lots of options for customizing your own or renting an original art gown.
What is your background?
I'm an artist who had always used fabric and costume elements in my drawings
and paintings. In 1997 I started painting on wedding gowns as part of
my own artwork and I exhibit them in art fashion shows and galleries. I got a really
nice response so I decided to try customizing for brides and performing
artists.
Where are you located?
I live near Boston, Massachusetts, however, I can work with customers
from all over the world.
How do I get a quote?
Send me an email and we can go
from there.
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