Couture Craftsmanship
With each Alexandra King dress you are buying a one of a kind piece, designed and handcrafted at her studio in Somerset. Alexandra only makes a small number of collections a year and each piece will be the only one of it's kind in the world.
Many dedicated hours go into perfecting the gown you are going to wear. Craftsmanship is central each and every Alexandra King gown and here is the story of one of her dresses.
The Spark of Inspiration
It all starts with a spark ... a glimpse of a fabric, a gown on the silver screen or a flash of colour. Inspiration can be found in everything and is constantly emerging in a designers thoughts each and every day. Designs are researched, developed and sketched. Fabrics carefully selected from our collection and the plans are set for a dress that will become truly special.
Inside Alexandra's small studio the dress starts with a base pattern, developed and refined over many years to create the perfect bodice shape for the dress. The base fabric is laid out on the cutting table and hand cut piece by piece.
From there the bodice is sewn and structured ready to drape the fabrics upon. Fold by fold is pinned and re-pinned positioning the fabric until the drape is perfectly contouring to the body.
Underskirts are built as supports to the full skirt, which is then placed to the waistline then stitched securely. The pins are transformed into delicate stitches over the bodice and the many hours of embellishment to the finished design starts.
With every thread trimmed and the hem hand stitched, the Alexandra King label is ready to be sewn inside the dress marking it's quality. The gown is now ready to be photographed, displayed and presented in waiting for its new owner.
Couture Ordering
For a dress to be designed and hand crafted exclusively for you and to your requirements, will take many hours to complete here at Alexandra's studio.
- You will be invited for a consultation where we will discuss your occasion and design with you, the perfect dress.
- Alexandra will then research fabrics and refine your design and provide an accurate quote.
- Once happy with the final design, your measurements will be taken and the pattern cutting process will start.
- A toile (sample dress in calico or similar fabric to your design) will be made and you will visit for a first fitting. Here we will perfect the fit ready to cut the final fabric.
- At your second fitting the dress will be sewn without the final finish and zip to double check the lengths with your shoes and underwear.
- The dress will then be hand finished and made ready for the final sign off. Once we are all completely happy with your gown and everything has been checked, we will sign off your gown. It will then be available to take home or will be delivered to you at your venue.
Couture dresses take a minimum of 50 hours with prices from £2000
For all enquiries please contact; Alexandra King
Email; alexandra@alexandra-king.com
Fittings and viewings by appointment only. Please call or email for more details.