The Ultimate Luxury of Custom Design | Patti Flowers Design Studio

Have you ever had a dress custom made for you? I don’t mean a couture dress from a designer that can be purchased at a high-end retailer. I mean CUSTOM designed just for YOU. The experience is one of the most enjoyable and luxurious processes I’ve ever been through. Today we are talking about the ultimate luxury of custom design – The Patti Flowers Design Studio.

Patti and I go way back to the late nineties when we were both active members of the Junior League of Dallas. Back in those days the JLD Ball would have the follies where members would sing and dance as the entertainment for the annual ball. Yep, yours truly was a dancer for several years and Patti was the Show Chairman. That’s when I first met her and knew she was special. Patti is a gorgeous combination of Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly. She is so kind and truly talented. Back in those days she had to design and implement all the talent costumes as well as shepherd all the sewers who made the costumes. Every costume fit perfectly and the show was always great!

Fast forward to today. We are both members of The Crystal Charity Ball where we volunteer our time raising funds for children’s charities in Dallas County. We run in to each other at meetings and one day we came up with the idea that she would design a dress for me. I have never had this done so I was so excited to learn the process and watch it play out. We decided that I needed a special dress to wear to the annual Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Luncheon in September.

The process typically takes 3-4 meetings in her gorgeous design studio on Fairmount Street. The hardwood floors and beautifully decorated studio is so inviting that I could live there. The first meeting is for ideas, sketches and fabric choices. Once Patti has an idea of what the client wants, she gets to work and comes up with 5-6 choices of design. She also takes your measurements at the first meeting. Be sure to have your shoes and underpinnings that you plan to wear with you at every meeting. The next time you meet, she and her team have made a muslin piece that they will fit on you. This is replica of your design so that they can fine tune the fitting. Patti and Bladi (design assistant and workroom manager) create their pieces on a mannequin, designing each custom piece in 3D. Once they have fitted the muslin pieces they start to create. By the time you arrive for your third fitting, your custom piece is almost complete. They check measurements, hem length, zippers, sleeves and make sure every detail is absolutely perfect. Bladi even had me walk around in my dress and sit in a chair to make sure everything fit perfectly.

I was very open minded about the process and really wanted Patti to CREATE. The only input I gave her was that I wanted it to look MAD MEN inspired and I like my hemline below the knee. The final creation was spectacular and I received so many compliments when I wore it to the luncheon event. I can’t wait to wear it again!

Think of all the design possibilities with Patti Flowers Design Studio. Bride, bridesmaids, mother of the bride/groom, chairman of a gala/ball, evening gown, debutant gown, luncheon dress and any occasion that calls for something special that no one else will have. The process makes you feel so special start to finish. This is couture at its finest!

I’m trying to invent a reason to have another custom piece made.  xoxo – Tanya

Patti Flowers Design Studio | 3624 Fairmount Street | Dallas, TX 75219 | 214.369.7027 | studio@pattiflowers.com | By appointment only

Photo: Mary Summers

ABOUT PATTI FLOWERS

A native Texan who spent her career in the luxury fashion industry, Patti Flowers began designing over 25 years ago. When the exclusive Dallas retailer Stanley Korshak opened its first bridal salon, Flowers was asked to be the In-House designer specializing in bridal, evening, and debutante gowns. Today, Flowers is recognized as one of the premier bridal and fine apparel designers in Texas.

In 2006, Flowers launched the Patti Flowers Design Studio. Since that time, she has dressed many of the most fashionable women in Texas. In early 2012, she expanded to her new studio in the Uptown neighborhood of Dallas, and debuted The Studio Collection.
Known for her refined approach to design and deep desire to highlight the woman wearing the gown, the Patti Flowers brand is both timeless and modern with exquisite couture quality.

The Patti Flowers Design Studio works with industry experts to ensure the latest and finest selections of silks, laces, and embellishments are available from around the world. All couture gowns are created at the Dallas Studio.