Your dream gown, custom made in New Zealand

At Clothing by Desiree, we understand that your wedding day is one of the most significant moments of your life. Every detail matters, especially your dress. We believe your wedding dress should be as unique and special as your love story, reflecting your personal style and celebrating your individuality. As a New Zealand-made women's designer fashion brand, we are dedicated to crafting exquisite bridalwear that truly embodies your vision.

Forget the stress of endlessly searching for the perfect off-the-rack gown. Our specialty lies in bespoke creations, offering you the ultimate flexibility and personalisation. We don't just sell wedding dresses; we create them, right here in our Wellington workroom, with meticulous attention to detail and a passion for design. From the initial concept to the final stitch, your dream dress is in expert hands.

Crafting your perfect wedding dress journey

Your journey to finding the ideal wedding dress with us begins with a conversation. We pride ourselves on our made-to-measure service, which allows us to design and create a gown that perfectly fits your body and your aspirations. Whether you have a clear vision in mind or need guidance in exploring styles, our team is here to bring your ideas to life.

Our commitment to local production means that all designing, pattern-making, samples, and custom-made items are handled in our Wellington workroom. This hands-on approach ensures quality control and allows for a truly collaborative process. We source high-quality fabrics from New Zealand and Australian wholesalers, guaranteeing both beauty and durability for your special day.

Choosing a custom-made wedding dress offers unparalleled advantages:

• Perfect Fit: No more compromises. Your gown will be tailored precisely to your measurements, ensuring comfort and confidence.
• Unique Design: Stand out with a one-of-a-kind creation that reflects your personality and style.
• Quality Craftsmanship: Benefit from our expertise and commitment to creating long-lasting, beautifully constructed garments.
• Personalised Experience: Enjoy a dedicated design process where your input is valued every step of the way.

Beyond the bride: custom-made attire for the entire wedding party

The wedding party plays a vital role in your special day, and we believe their attire should complement the occasion beautifully. Our made-to-measure service extends beyond just wedding dresses for the bride. We are also able to custom make stunning ensembles for the mother of the bride, mother of the groom, and bridesmaids, ensuring a cohesive and elegant look for everyone.

Imagine mother of the bride outfits that are not only stylish but also incredibly comfortable and tailored to perfection. Or bridesmaids' dresses that delight each individual while harmonising with your overall wedding theme. We work closely with you to understand your vision for the entire party, providing design suggestions and fabric options to create memorable garments.

Our goal is to make the entire wedding apparel process seamless and enjoyable, so you can focus on the joyous occasion ahead. We celebrate empowering women, and this extends to helping every special woman in your wedding party feel their absolute best.

Mother of the bride dresses and mother of the groom dresses

Finding the right mother of the bride or mother of the groom dress can be challenging. These crucial roles deserve outfits that are elegant, appropriate, and make them feel magnificent. With our custom-made service, we can design something truly special that flatters their figure and suits their style, ensuring they shine alongside you.

We consider factors such as comfort, preferred colours, and the overall wedding aesthetic when crafting these important garments. Our expertise in design and fabric selection helps us create pieces that are both sophisticated and easy to wear throughout the day's celebrations. Whether it's a classic gown, a chic separates combination, or something more contemporary, we're here to help.

Bridesmaid dresses tailored to perfection

Your bridesmaids are your closest friends and family, and their dresses should make them feel cherished. Our custom service allows for a level of personalisation that ready-to-wear options often lack. We can create bridesmaid dresses that accommodate different body types and preferences while maintaining a unified vision for your bridal party.

From choosing the perfect fabric and silhouette to incorporating subtle design details, we ensure each bridesmaid looks and feels beautiful. This collaborative approach means less stress for you and a greater sense of satisfaction for your bridal party, knowing their dresses are made just for them.

The Clothing by Desiree difference: quality, locally made, and ethical

When you choose Clothing by Desiree for your wedding dresses or any custom outfit, you're not just getting a garment; you're investing in quality, ethical production, and a piece of New Zealand craftsmanship. All our clothing is 100% designed and made in New Zealand. Our Wellington workroom is where the magic happens, from the initial sketch to the final product for our custom-made items.

Our made-to-measure process

Our made-to-measure service is designed to be a delightful experience. It’s perfect for those seeking wedding dresses, special occasion wear, or even for recreating a beloved garment. Here’s a general overview of how we work:

Consultation: We start with a detailed discussion about your vision, style preferences, and occasion.

1. Design and Fabric Selection: We'll present design ideas and help you choose from our range of high-quality fabrics sourced from New Zealand and Australian wholesalers.
2. Measurements: Precise measurements are taken to ensure a perfect fit for your wedding dresses or other custom items.
3. Toile/Fitting: For complex designs, a toile (a mock-up of the garment) might be created for an initial fitting to perfect the pattern.
4. Fittings: Depending on the complexity, one or more fittings will be scheduled as your garment comes to life.
5. Final Creation: Your custom wedding dresses or other garments are meticulously crafted in our Wellington workroom.
6. Pick Up: Your beautifully finished custom attire is ready for your special day!

Standard Made-to-order items from our online typically dispatch within 7 days, and we'll always communicate the specific turnaround time via email. For truly bespoke wedding dresses and intricate custom pieces for the bridal party, the timeline will be discussed and agreed upon during your consultation.

Beyond bridalwear: alterations and ready-to-wear

While we specialise in bespoke wedding dresses and custom creations for your bridal party, our expertise extends to a full alterations service. Whether it's a minor adjustment or a significant modification, our skilled team can ensure any garment fits you perfectly. We believe a well-fitting garment elevates your confidence and comfort.

Additionally, we offer a beautiful range of ready-to-wear dresses, jackets, tops, trousers, and skirts if you're looking for something off-the-rack. These pieces embody our signature style of comfortable, long-lasting, and stylish garments. You can explore our dresses collection here and other clothing items on our website.

Seamless shopping experience and customer care

We strive to make your experience with Clothing by Desiree as convenient and enjoyable as possible. We offer free NZ shipping on all orders over $150, and free international shipping on orders over $400. For smaller orders, our shipping rates are transparent:

• NZ Economy Shipping: Under $80 = $6 Urban, $11 Rural
• NZ Standard Shipping: Under $150 = $11 Urban, $16 Rural
• International Shipping: Orders under $399 = $19.95

In-stock items ordered before 3 pm on a business day are dispatched the same day, or the next business day if ordered on a weekend. For our custom-made wedding dresses and other tailored items, we communicate specific dispatch times via email. We accept various payment options including credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, PayPal, Poli internet banking, and Laybuy, making your purchase hassle-free.

Your satisfaction is paramount. We offer a customer-friendly return policy, allowing items to be returned or exchanged within 14 days of receipt, provided they are unworn with original tags intact. Please note that sale item returns are not accepted unless faulty. For more details on returns and other common questions, please visit our FAQs page.

Shipping Type	Order Value	Cost
NZ Free Shipping	Over $150	$0
NZ Economy Urban	Under $80	$6
NZ Economy Rural	Under $80	$11
NZ Standard Urban	Under $150	$11
NZ Standard Rural	Under $150	$16
Int'l Free Shipping	Over $400	$0
Int'l Standard	Under $399	$19.95

Visit us or connect online

We would love to discuss your vision for gorgeous wedding dresses or any other custom needs. You can schedule an appointment to visit us at our Level 2, 210 Main Road, Tawa location. An appointment ensures we can provide you with our undivided attention and expertise. Book your appointment through our appointment page.

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at desiree@clothingbydesiree.com or call us at (021) 11 35100. We’re also active on social media! Tag us @desireeclothing on Facebook and Instagram to share your Clothing by Desiree moments.

Frequently asked questions about wedding dresses and custom attire

What types of wedding dresses can Clothing by Desiree create?

We specialise in custom-made wedding dresses designed to your unique specifications. This means we can create a wide range of styles, from classic and romantic to modern and minimalist, all tailored perfectly to you. Our focus is on bringing your dream gown to life. Can I get a custom-made dress for my bridesmaids or mother of the bride?

Absolutely! Our made-to-measure service extends to the entire wedding party. We can custom make beautiful and comfortable dresses for bridesmaids, mother of the bride, and mother of the groom, ensuring a cohesive and elegant look for your special day. How long does it take to create a custom wedding dress?

The timeline for custom wedding dresses varies depending on the complexity of the design and our current schedule. We recommend contacting us as early as possible—ideally 4-8 months before your wedding date – to allow ample time for consultation, design, fittings, and creation. A specific timeline will be provided during your initial consultation. Where are your wedding dresses and other custom garments made?

All our custom-made wedding dresses, along with all designing, pattern-making, and samples, are handled right here in our Wellington workroom. We pride ourselves on being 100% designed and made in New Zealand, with additional production supported by local outworkers. What is the cost of a custom wedding gown?

The cost of a custom wedding dress depends on various factors such as the complexity of the design, the chosen fabrics, and the amount of embellishment. We provide a detailed quote after our initial consultation, ensuring transparency and alignment with your budget. We aim to create exceptional value for a unique, perfectly fitted garment. Do you offer alterations for wedding dresses not made by Clothing by Desiree?

Yes, we offer a full alterations service for garments, including wedding dresses, even if they were not originally made by us. Our skilled team can handle a wide range of adjustments to ensure your gown fits you perfectly for your big day. What sizes can you accommodate for custom wedding dresses and bridal party attire?

Since we offer a made-to-measure service, we can accommodate a wide range of sizes. We take precise measurements to create a garment that fits you perfectly, ensuring comfort and confidence regardless of your usual ready-to-wear size. Our goal is to make every woman feel beautiful.