How to order

I operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and I do not keep a waiting list. This is to be fair to those who are serious about ordering. If I have provided you with a quote recently, that does not mean your order is in progress; orders begin process ONLY after I receive your deposit. Confirmed orders can take 2 weeks or longer from the time of placing the order, depending upon the design you choose and my schedule at the time you place your order. Beaded or heavily ornate gowns will normally take much longer.

Please note: the policies posted here are subject to change without immediate notice. If you have questions, please ask me.

Placing an Order Request

If you are ready to place an order, simply do the following:

1. Email me your name, address, phone number, and the design you are interested in. I will provide you with information and once I understand your needs, a quote.
2. After I have received your request, I will call or email you to discuss details. After we have agreed upon your choice,
3. Before I do intensive sketch work or designing of any kind I require a $20 research and development fee. This fee is applicable to the overall cost of your item, but is non-refundable if you choose not to order or cancel your order. My time is valuable, and this small fee ensures that I’m being paid for the work I do. I have, in the past, put dozens of hours into sourcing product and drawing up designs only to have a customer decide at the last minute they no longer want to order the item. This small fee helps to weed out those who are not serious about engaging my services.
4. All U.S. orders require a 50% deposit at the time of ordering. Final payment will be due on or before the garments delivery date. International orders require 100% prepayment, as I have had trouble in the past with international clients marooning me with garments after failing to pay remainders owed.
5. Send me your measurements in an email. See “Taking Measurements” below.
6. After your deposit is received your order will be put in the queue.

Custom Designs

Regardless of what the design is or whether or not we’ve made it before, all items are custom in nature and therefore are priced accordingly.  We make our items to your specifications and with you particular needs in mind.  We do not have off the rack or mass produced items.  Bear in mind that this is the nature of our production and that in order to keep up the highest standards and quality inherent in custom-made garments, your patience and understanding will be required.

Design Changes

If you decide to make any changes to the design of your garment after it has been ordered (i.e. materials, details, embellishments etc.), then additional fees will apply. Anything that is not part of our original agreement is subject to additional fees. Applicable fees will be determined after we have discussed the changes. An addendum will be made and sent to you regarding the changes to your design and the resulting additional fees.

Measurements

I will not accept responsibility for inaccurate measurements. Due to the fact that the garment is custom-ordered, it is NOT returnable, but alterations (within reason) can be made to ensure that you are pleased with the item. However, you will be responsible for the shipping charges for the alterations. You are responsible for your own measurements, and it is highly recommended that you go to a professional tailor or seamstress to be measured.

If you take your measurements yourself, please see “Taking Measurements” below.

Rush Orders

If your order is required in a short time frame and we can accommodate it, price will increase accordingly. Payment for rush items is due in full at time of ordering.

Keep in mind that I determine if your order is a rush order based upon my schedule at the time when you contact me.

All orders, especially rush orders cant move foreword until we have your accurate measurements, color choices, and any design information needed to complete your order.

Shipping

All garments are shipped USPS Priority Mail and are always INSURED in case of loss. This is to protect you as well as me. If you prefer an alternative shipping method please let me know. Shipping charges will be determined before item is shipped and due with final payment.

International order shipping can be expensive, so please be prepared for this. All duties are the responsibility of the client. I do not pay for your duties, and the value of your garment determines how much duties are.

In the event of loss or damage in the mail, then one of two actions will be taken:

1. The insurance money shall be recouped and either used to remake the garment, if time permits, or...
2. Monies recouped from the insurance will be given back to the customer.

This will be the customer's choice.

Payments

Forms of payment I will accept are personal checks (allowing 10 days for clearance with the bank), money orders, International money orders (in US dollars), cashiers checks, and PayPal for credit card payments. Please confirm with me your payment method.

Refunds

Once your order is scheduled, you will have 48 hours to cancel your order and receive a refund. You will be charged a 10% cancelled order fee and your refund will reflect this charge. After the 48-hour period, ABSOLUTELY NO refunds are issued for any item. THIS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Period of No Response

If you place an order and I continuously email you and or try and call you with no response after a period of time, but your email address and phone number appear to be valid, I will hold your order for up to one year as a valid order. After one year, I will consider your order "abandoned" and you will forfeit all payments you have made and your order will be cancelled. It is your responsibility to maintain accurate contact information.

Exceptions

Exceptions to the above terms will be made at the sole discretion of Darkspectre and will be evaluated on an order-by-order basis. If you have a valid reason you need to violate one of the above terms, you must contact me immediately to discuss your specific situation.  Once again, I am not unreasonable and am a lot more willing to work through difficulties with my customers then these policies imply.  But remember; this is business and should be handled in a business-like manner.

Unforeseen Circumstances

Sometimes things happen that are completely out of my control, i.e. weather, vehicles breaking down, physical injuries, health, and common daily occurrences that could hinder the production of a project. I cannot control everything as I am only human, so if your order is delayed due to an "Act of God," I cannot be held responsible. I will do everything in my power to make sure the proper action is taken, whether that's filing for insurance if an item is lost, rescheduling production of your item should it be damaged or delayed due to materials going on back order, health problems, or physical injury, etc. In some cases I may choose to issue a refund if the order cannot be fulfilled in a reasonable amount of time or meet your deadline, but this will be done on an individual basis, dependent on individual circumstances.

Fit

It is EXTREMELY important to take accurate measurements correctly! The clothing will be made according to the measurements YOU PROVIDE. Slight alterations/adjustments will be made free of charge, but any other fit discrepancies are your responsibility (alterations can be made, but will be at YOUR COST). The fit of clothing varies from era to era, and some are nothing like modern clothing. Proper undergarments are important to achieving the correct fit of the outer garments. If you plan on wearing corsets or undergarments that will change your shape, you will need to inform me of this at the time of ordering so I can provide instructions on how to take those measurements.

Taking Measurements

It's not hard to take your own measurements. Just follow the instructions below (BE HONEST). Once you have obtained your measurements, just email them to me. I can get started from there. If you have questions or need help, use the contact form to send me your number and I will walk you through it. If you are in any doubt, I recommend that you have a professional tailor or seamstress take your measurements for you.

1. Height:  Standing against a flat wall without shoes, from the floor to the top of your head.
2. High Bust:  Directly under the arms, straight across the back and above the bust.
3. Bust:  Measure the broadest part of your chest over the breast and straight across the back with bra on.
4. Under Bust:  Below bust and around.
5. Waist:  Measure just below the rib cage and around.
6. Back Waist Length:  From the most prominent bone at  the base of the neck to the natural waistline.
7. Top of Hip:  Top of hip bone and around.
8. Hips:  Measure over the widest part of the hips.
9. Sleeve Length:  Cock arm slightly and measure from the edge of shoulder over the elbow to the wrist. With a short sleeve measure from shoulder to the point you would like the sleeve to end.
10. Bicep (Upper Arm size):  Measure over the widest part of your bicep.
11. Neck size:  Measure close to the base of your neck.
12. Length:  Measure from the base of your neck to the top of you feet or floor (not at your ankle). This will tell me where to hem the skirt bottom.
13. Shoulder width:  Taken across the top of the back, from shoulder socket to shoulder socket.

Initiate an Order

Before you email me your order, make sure you read and understand my general terms above. Remember, an order is not confirmed and queued until you've sent me your deposit. Filling out and sending this form merely starts the process.

Email the following order information directly to:

• First Name:
• Last Name:
• E-Mail:
• Phone (+ Area Code):
• Mailing Address: The address to which I can mail your finished orders.
• Design you're ordering:
• Date Needed By:
• Measurements: Follow the instructions above. I may give you special instructions for measuring, depending on the design you're ordering.
• Questions and Special Information: Questions, special requests, custom order information, budget, and the like.

I would appreciate any comments on your finished garments, so please send an email or written letter with a picture of you in the ensemble (if possible) and describe what occasion you wore it to. I will in turn post these pictures and comments in my client gallery.

There you have it. It is that simple for you to own your very own custom piece. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have.