Spot the Difference: Couture Vs Off-the-Rack

There’s a reason why we do what we do: because the workmanship involved is of the highest quality and the finished work of art is always exquisite. We love Couture precisely because we know what’s involved in the process of creating a wedding dress, and what sets it apart from mass-produced ‘fast’ fashion.

But perhaps not everyone knows the many differences between custom-designed and made wedding dresses and their mass-produced alternatives. So that you know exactly what you’re getting when you purchase a custom-designed and made wedding dress, we’ve put together a list of what separates these two very different processes.

The Size

The obvious difference between couture and mass produced wedding dresses is that one is made-to-measure for the individual wearer, while the other is mass produced to a set of generic sizes. The problem with this is obvious: women come in all shapes and sizes, and a size 12 dress may not fit a lady who is that size on top, but a smaller size on the bottom. The couture dress, on the other hand, is made to your exact measurements, so you really do get the perfect fit. We at Achilllea Marini measure once, measure twice, and take meticulous care in getting your proportions spot on.

The Fabric

It’s not only the fit, but the quality that sets couture apart. A lot of the time off-the-rack wedding dresses are made from inexpensive fabrics. Unlike finer quality fabrics, cheap fabrics will not hang well, will lose shape, and will deteriorate. Couture dresses, however, are made from sublime fabrics that hold their shape beautifully and are both delicate and durable. We get our fabrics from the fashion hubs of London and Milan, ensuring they’re of the finest quality and finish.

The Design

Our favourite difference between mass produced and couture wedding dresses is the design element. When you walk into a high street wedding dress shop you’ll have a limited range of designs to choose from, and sometimes none of them will fit the bill. You’ve probably got a particular design in mind, and know exactly how you want to look on your wedding day…?

With custom-designed and made wedding dresses from Achillea Marini you can realise that vision by getting directly involved in the design process. You can choose the shape, style, cut, and fabric of your dress, and even add little details to reflect your own personality. This is what makes couture so fun!

The Workmanship

The ‘hidden’ difference between custom-made and mass produced wedding dresses is the workmanship. Why hidden? Because unless you know the extent of work that goes into each couture gown, you won’t realise just how much love and attention that has been invested.

The art of couture is complex, and one that is developed over time. It is a discipline that is meticulously learnt, so that each gown created has the Hallmark of perfection. Mass produced wedding dresses, however, are machine made and therefore the intricate attention to detail is inevitably lost.

So there you have it: the major differences between custom-made and mass produced wedding dresses. When it comes down to it, it’s all about what you, the bride, have always wanted from your wedding dress. What do you have pictured in your mind’s eye? In our opinion, this vision can only really be achieved through the careful design process that custom-made wedding dresses offer. We believe that your wedding dress should be matchless, unique, and 100% YOU: all the things an off-the-rack dress just can’t accomplish.