You have seen my work on social media, and perhaps it inspired you. Maybe you imagined what it would feel like to wear one of my gowns, or thought about collaborating with me on an artistic and/or professional level. I understand that reaction very well, I have been in your position many many times!
However… over the years I have gained some experience, and even though there have been a few virtuous exceptions… I have had so many disappointing experiences that pushed me to deisgn very strict boundaries.
Each piece is handmade, designed and built to look as if it belongs in a film, and the results of years of study in historical fashion, tailoring, and design. Many of the gowns from my personal collection have required hundreds of hours of work. They often include antique, rare, and irreplaceable materials that cannot be substituted if damaged. These garments are pieces of my life and of my artistic journey. I am deeply attached to them, and my priority is to protect these creations rather than risk them for a kind of visibility that, more often than not, never truly arrives. This is why I keep my costumes under my direct care.
My Policy on Costume Rentals
I often receive requests asking if my historical or fantasy costumes are available for rental, for shipping collaborations, or for use by other photographers and stylists. The answer is simple: I do not offer my costumes for external rental or shipment.
Each garment I create needs to be handled with care and worn under my direct supervision. Costumes can be fragile, complex, and fitted to specific measurements. Shipping them or lending them out without proper fitting often leads to damage, poor presentation, or misuse.
So if my costumes leave my laboratory, I need to go with them. I don’t simply ship them off to be worn for photoshoots or events.
When My Costumes Can Be Worn
My costumes can be worn only as part of a photoshoot with me, either in my studio or on location. In this second case both travel costs and rental fee need to be covered. This ensures that the garments are handled safely, fit properly, and are photographed in a way that represents my artistry and standards of quality.
If you wish to wear one of my designs, booking a photo session with me as photographer is the easiest way to do so. During the shoot, I will personally take care of styling, fitting, and presentation, so that both you and the costume look exactly as intended.
But if you are a photographer, you are welcome to email me at [email protected] to know more about how I caluclate my travel expenses, in case you are interested in having one of my pieces reach you for a special project.
Why I Don’t Send Costumes Away
Over the years I have learned that shipping or lending out costumes, even for professional collaborations, implies… too many risks. Costumes have been returned damaged, stained, or have been poorly represented, even in such way that the material created from the collaboration was of no use for me. In those cases I offered a service in exchange of a payment in usable material that I did not receive.
For this reason I no longer send my work out for editorials, exhibitions, or stylists’ projects, and I never lend costumes in exchange for photos.
Every piece represents countless hours of hard work and many years of study. Keeping them under my care ensures they remain preserved in the best condition and makes sure that the result actually represents the quality of my work.
If you are seriously interested in having one of my pieces for your projects, you can use the contact form to inquire about my availability (and the costume’s) on a certain date, and the travel costs to make sure I am present at all times whenever the costume is used. I am based in Maserà di Padova, Italy. I will require you to cover both the travel expenses and my wage, according to how many days or hours I will be required to spend away from the studio.
About My Personal Collection
Many of the gowns featured in my portfolio belong to my personal costume collection. These pieces are not for sale (even though sometimes I sell a some to make room for new works), will not be replicated and were made to my exact measurements. They do not come in multiple sizes, and while a few may allow small adjustments, others cannot be altered at all.
Some of these garments are also unsuitable for outdoor use or environments that could expose them to dirt, stains, or weather damage. Each costume has its own limits, and part of my job is to make sure they are respected.
A Note for Stylists and Last-Minute Requests
In the world of fashion and entertainment, it is common for stylists to reach out with only a few days to prepare, often after major fashion houses have declined their requests. I receive messages from stylists who need to dress a celebrity for an event within days, asking if I can rent or ship (or even make!) a handmade gown that fits the client’s size immediately, sometimes without proper payment or clear conditions. The garment would then hang on a rack among dozens of others from people who have been promised they will get to dress a certain celebrity, waiting to be chosen at the very last moment, and often never worn.
I understand the fast rhythm of this industry, and I am not willing to become fast and disposable fashion. Expecting handmade couture pieces to be created or adjusted in a few days is unrealistic. When it is possible, it’s usually because someone (the indie designer) agrees to be exploited for a mere mirage, or because there is a whole team of seamstresses who can work at the project. I am only one person.
Moreover, most of my designs cannot be altered on short notice, as they are built with structural features that give specific silhouettes and can not be modified afterwards. While young designers might still be tempted by the promise of exposure, losing sleep to meet an impossible deadline only to see their work unused or uncredited… I have reached a point in my career, and I am fortunate to have a loyal clientele that allow me to decline such offers. My work deserves respect, time, and the care it requires to be shown at its best, and that can only happen under proper planning and collaboration, ideally when I am contacted several months in advance, compensated for design and construction work with an appropriate rush fee, and protected by a clear written contract defining the terms of the professional relationship.
If you really want one of my pieces to be in your collection, ready to be used on your customers, there are three ways:
– pay my travel expenses as for a rental as discussed above.
How to Book a Photoshoot
If you love one of my costumes and would like to be photographed wearing it, the best way is to book a photoshoot directly through my contact form.
You can choose to have the session in my studio or discuss an on-location shoot where travel costs are covered.
This is a way to respect my creative vision, my hard work, and to make sure that the person wearing the costumes is put not just in a pretty dress, but in one that is flattering to their unique figure.
