Rosebud wrote on Dec 10^th, 2009, 6:12pm:


Oh oh! *waves hand* I think I could give you a run for your money   I googled for a year and saved over a thousand pictures as inspiration. My problem was that though I liked the mainstream styles in general, my three essential features (extra-swishy chiffon skirt, natural rather than drop or empire waist, and non-strapless) didn't exist together anywhere except in expensive overseas designers... and one expensive local designer. I loved the expensive local dress so in the end just decided to part with the $4250, despite the fact that I thought it was a ridiculous amount of money, because I just didn't like anything else and I didn't trust any of the other dressmakers I visited to do the same kind of job.

So I agree with everyone else... find a dressmaker who's experienced with similar styles, particularly the detailing and corsetry. Ask to see close up and detailed photos (or better yet, the real thing) so you can know the quality of their work. Also, if you're willing to spend a bit of money and want a holiday thrown into the deal, I think there are some Celtic style dressmakers in Australia, and you can get fares to Sydney for less than $300 sometimes - might be worth making a girls weekend of it! Try googling celtic or medieval wedding dresses for similar styles.

Yep, that's what they told me when I went Sydney shopping! But I think in that case you end up paying taxes when it arrives in NZ... so possibly the same price in the end anyway. I know people who've ordered dresses online have had to pay up to a few hundred dollars extra when they arrive, but it might be different if you bring it on the plane yourself.

I'm pretty sure they do give you the tax back through some sort of refund if you buy it there and bring it with you (that's what the people in the dress shops in Sydney told me). But if you declare it when you bring it in - which I'm pretty sure you have to with goods over a certain value - they'll charge you the NZ tax when you arrive here. I think. Might be worth looking into!

Hi
Can I ask how you find JT Tailors?