Terms and conditions

Terms & Conditions of Service
 

Thank you for your interest in commissioning a custom garment. I strive to create each piece with care, creativity, and precision. These Terms & Conditions are here to ensure a clear, respectful, and fair working relationship.

1. Consultations & Pricing

• A consultation fee of R250 is charged for a 30-50 min initial meeting. If the designer is required to travel beyond 15km, the consultation fee increases to R400 to cover petrol and time.

• After the consultation, the designer will research materials, complete initial sketches, and submit a detailed quote based on labour, materials, and complexity.

• Manufacturing is charged at R250/hour. Most garments begin at a base rate of R2500 (excluding fabric).

• Quotes include sourcing, construction labour costs, fittings, haberdashery and garment accessories.

Disclaimer: All quotes are based on available information at the time. Fabric and material prices fluctuate, and the designer reserves the right to adjust the final cost if significant changes occur—always with prior notice to the client.

2. Deposits, Payment & Cancellation

• A non-refundable 50% deposit is required before any work begins. This secures your booking, timeline, and covers sourcing, design work, and initial materials.

• The consultation fee is deducted from the deposit if the project proceeds.

• The remaining 50% is broken down as follows:

  • 30% of the total is due by the second fitting

  • The final 20% is due before the garment is collected or delivered

• Late payments may incur a 10% surcharge per week on the outstanding balance.

• If the client cancels after the second fitting, the full remaining balance becomes payable, as the fabric will have been cut and significant work completed.

• Once the garment is delivered or collected, it is considered complete. Any further alterations or modifications are at the discretion of the designer and may incur an additional fee.

Note: No returns, exchanges, or refunds will be issued on custom garments.

3. Fittings & Timeline

• Clients may bring up to three guests to fittings with prior notice.

• Turnaround times typically range between 4–10 weeks, depending on the studio’s availability and the complexity of the garment. General timelines will be discussed during the initial consultation, and a more precise fitting schedule will be confirmed once the client commits to the project (i.e., when the deposit is paid).

• Fitting appointments will be scheduled according to the confirmed project timeline. These sessions are essential to ensure the proper fit and finish of your garment. Appointments may be rescheduled or canceled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Changes made after this window may result in additional charges, as extra fittings or adjustments outside the agreed schedule will be billed separately and added to the final invoice.

• A 15-minute grace period applies to all scheduled meetings:

  • If the designer is late, the client may cancel or reschedule at no cost.

  • If the client is late, the time may be forfeited, or the session may be billed as an additional fitting.

• If the client requires a shortened turnaround time that limits the number of available fittings, they accept full responsibility for any post-delivery alterations required to achieve the desired result. Additional alterations will be billed separately.

• Work begins once the deposit has been received and all required measurements have been taken or provided. From this point, the timeline is considered active.

• Once the second fitting is complete, the client becomes liable for 100% of the garment’s quoted price, as fabric will have been cut and irreversible progress will have been made. Any cancellations after this stage are non-refundable unless otherwise agreed upon at the discretion of the designer.

• Once the garment is delivered or collected, it is considered complete. Any further changes or modifications will be at the designer’s discretion and may incur additional charges.

• Rush jobs may be considered and will be priced according to overtime hours required (using industry-standard time-and-a-half where applicable).

• Tight Turnaround & Limited Fittings

  • In cases where the client requests a quick turnaround or where fittings cannot take place (for example, film/theatre jobs where the performer is not available), the designer may proceed based on the information provided (such as age, estimated size, or limited measurements).

  • While quick turnarounds are possible, the designer cannot guarantee perfect fit in the absence of fittings or accurate measurements.

  • Any alterations required due to lack of fittings, last-minute changes, or insufficient sizing information will be billed separately and are not included in the original quote. This includes unexpected post-delivery changes, such as modifications requested after the garment has been worn or reviewed by a production team.

4. Rentals & Ready-to-Wear Options

• Certain showpieces and garments may be available for rental.

• Rental is set at a standard 4-day rental term - unless otherwise arranged with the Atelier

• A R350 cleaning fee applies to all rentals.

• Alterations to rental garments are not permitted unless by the designer.

• Late returns are subject to a 20% daily fee. After 7 days, the garment will be considered sold and the full value invoiced to the client.

• Any damage beyond normal wear and tear will incur additional repair or replacement fees, at the designer’s discretion.

5. Design Ownership & Usage

• The designer retains full intellectual property over all designs, sketches, patterns, and completed garments.

• Clients may not reproduce, replicate, or take designs to another maker without written permission.

• A sketch will be shared with the quote. Design tweaks can be discussed up to the toile fitting. Once the final fabric has been cut, major changes are not permitted, except at the discretion of the designer and with additional costs.

6. Communication, Respect & Boundaries

• Clear, respectful communication is expected from both parties.

• The designer agrees to work professionally and respectfully with the client, and expects the same in return.

• No smoking or vaping is permitted during meetings or fittings for health and safety reasons.

• The designer does not replicate work by other designers.

• All appointments, payments, and timelines must be adhered to. Delays, disrespectful conduct, or scope creep may result in the project being paused or terminated.

7. Privacy & Third-Party Tools

• Personal information such as contact details or measurements is stored securely for project use only and never shared.

• The website may include tools such as direct WhatsApp messaging or external links to fabric suppliers. These are provided as-is, and the designer assumes no responsibility for their content or performance.

• Use of third-party tools and services is at the user's own discretion.

8. Modifications, Availability & Liability

• Service offerings and pricing are subject to change without notice.

• The designer reserves the right to refuse or discontinue service at any time, for any reason.

• All garments and services are provided "as is." The designer is not liable for indirect or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost time, income, or event delays.

• While every care is taken during fittings, accidents can happen. If a garment is damaged during a fitting — whether in my studio or at your location — as a result of spills, stains, or other accidental damage, any necessary repairs or remaking will be charged separately and added to the final invoice.

• In no case will liability exceed the total amount paid for the garment or service.

9. Termination & Agreement

• Either party may terminate the agreement. The client remains liable for any work completed and costs incurred to that point.

• These Terms represent the full agreement between the client and the designer. Any updates will be published online and are considered binding.

10. Force Majeure

The Designer shall not be held liable for any delay, interruption, or failure to fulfil any part of the agreement where such delay or failure is caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control. These include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, fire, flood, acts of God, war, terrorism, civil unrest, government-imposed restrictions, widespread illness or pandemic-related disruption, labour disputes, power outages, theft, robbery, personal injury, serious illness, or other emergencies affecting the Designer’s ability to work. In any such event, the Designer reserves the right to adjust the project timeline or delivery date as reasonably necessary. The client will be notified as soon as possible, and all efforts will be made to propose a fair and practical resolution under the circumstances. Such events shall not be considered a breach of contract, and no refunds or penalties shall be incurred by the Designer due to delays resulting from force majeure.

11. Refunds & Cancellations

All deposits are strictly non-refundable, as they secure the Designer’s time, design work, consultation, and material sourcing. Once work has commenced, the client is financially responsible for the garment in full, regardless of whether it is ultimately worn or used.

In the event of a cancellation for any reason — including personal circumstances such as illness, injury, or the cancellation of an event / production — any refund or reimbursement will be entirely at the sole discretion of the Designer. No refund will be considered once materials have been cut or construction has begun. The client accepts that by commissioning the work, they commit to the financial responsibilities outlined in the quote and agreement.

By engaging the services of the designer, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.