DESIGN PROCESS
If you're having a hard time finding a dress that feels like you, there's a good chance it hasn't been designed yet.
Design your custom, one-of-a-kind look from start to finish alongside our founder and lead designer Ou Ma.
initial consultation ⇒ fabric selection ⇒ pattern creation ⇒ first fitting ⇒ fit to perfection
INITIAL CONSULTATION
1
We offer a 30 minute complimentary consultation (by appointment only) via virtual call. Here we will get to know your vision for your big day, and help you on your journey to achieving it. We will use our existing designs as reference, as well as having our current and latest collections available to try-on to better understand your style, and help visualize and materialize the perfect custom dress for you. Ou will take your measurements, and create a rough sketch of a first draft design during this consultation.
2
After your dress design is finalized and exactly to your liking, Ou will select and showcase the best suited fabrication for your dress. If detailing like lace, embellishments, and beading are part of your final design, those options will also be presented to you either by mail or virtually. This is a fun step in the process, and integral to deciding the movement and feeling of your dress.
FABRIC
SELECTION
PATTERN
CREATION
3
You get to relax and sit out this step. After perfecting the draping and design details on a dress form, our team will create your unique dress pattern based on your measurements. We will create a copy of your dress with an alternative fabric (either muslin or toile) that can be adjusted perfectly to your body at your first fitting, making sure we get everything just right before we start creating your final dress.
4
Depending on the custom package you are choosing, we offer 2-4 sessions of complimentary fittings. You are probably going to worry about how the dress will turn out before your fittings, but we are here holding your hands and taking it step by step with you. At your first fitting, you will try on your dress-copy so we can make adjustments right away and mark necessary changes while we are with you. We will also place the lace patterns with safety pins on the muslin sample so that you and Ou can finalize placement and tweak any last minute design choices.
FIRST
FITTING
FIT TO
PERFECTION
5
Throughout your next fittings up until your final one, we will make any and all adjustments needed to ensure you not only look, but feel incredible in your dress no matter how small the detail. Thanks to our team's vast experience in the couture bridal industry, we have developed our own fit system to best accentuate and showcase your beautiful shape using the least amount of fitting and alterations. After your final fitting, you will at last be able to take your gown home as you await your big day- ready to be cherished for a lifetime to come!
Read our OUMA Bride testimonials to see past custom designs and hear from our brides.
Please note, due to the nature of the custom bridal process we can only allow a limited number of brides per year. Please inquire as soon as possible with your (potential) wedding date to determine the possible wait time.