My Experience Creating a Dress at the Couture Salon "Emalie" ♡ (Up to the Final Fitting)

2021.06.08 published

I Will Make a Dress at Emariee ♡

Hello.

I’m sae, and I'm having my wedding at Happouen this autumn.

This time, I have the opportunity to create a dress at the dress salon [Emariee] through couture, so I will share my experience＊

Why I Chose Emariee's Dress

The very first task after deciding on the wedding venue is “dress selection.”

I love the high-class royal atmosphere. I’ve always dreamed of a fluffy silk dress with a big ribbon, just like the princess from a fairy tale…♡

I searched for various dresses, and that's when I found Emariee through a photo on Instagram♡

What I find wonderful about Emariee's dresses is the elegant and feminine atmosphere that you won't find in other casual dress brands.

It’s also the brand of the dress worn by Sakurako in the drama "Yamato Nadeshiko," as well as the dress worn by Mao Inoue in "Hana Yori Dango"♡

Additionally, I was very impressed that they can create a dress full of cuteness with a perfect fit in couture.

While there are many dress salons that provide size alterations, Emariee is the only brand that offers a lot of designs and with couture.

Since Emariee is a completely reservation-based private salon, the lack of detailed information and brand presence was one aspect that drew my interest.

Even though it's featured in various media, there’s a mysterious and special atmosphere... I was convinced that it must be a wonderful dress brand…!

When I actually visited the Omotesando salon, which opened in February 2020, I found it to be a very bright and lovely space…♡ The staff at Emariee engaged in casual conversation with me, easing my nerves, and I had a very happy time surrounded by cute dresses and accessories.

Emariee doesn’t just handle dresses; they also offer hair, makeup, wedding photography, and videography, which gave me a sense of trust knowing they can provide total support for my wedding◎

This is the Dress I Chose!

Emariee offers 20 types of rental dresses and 19 types of couture dresses, allowing variations in color and design. The dress I chose is this one.

The large ribbon at the chest is particularly eye-catching, and the dress has a rich and luxurious feel; I fell in love at first sight♡

Even at my height of 153cm, the fluffy silhouette covers my figure, and the large ribbon at the back stands out uniquely, making it a dress that I think will leave a memory with guests saying, “Sae’s dress was so cute!”

While big motifs are cute, the covered buttons at the back and the high-quality fabric, along with the designer Emma's attention to detail, made me decide on this dress almost instinctively.

Although I decided based on instinct, I was also torn between other lovely dresses.

There was a dress sprinkled with a lot of flowers＊ The elegance of the roses and the large back ribbon, coupled with the fluffy ruffle effect, is just irresistible♡

I heard that Emariee is particularly focused on the chest design so that it looks vibrant when seated at the high table. Ribbons and flowers are the charm points, so I chose my design while imagining myself at the high table. It broadened my imagination about floral arrangements for the dress.＊

When I paired a splendid veil with the floral dress, it turned me into such a beautiful bride♡

Since the chest has points of interest, I envisioned wearing a modest necklace while opting for larger hair accessories… it was so much fun to think about it!＊

Among the many silk dresses, there was also a fluffy tulle dress＊

The silhouette was as enchanting as a swan. I was looking for a wedding dress with the luxurious feel of silk, but I found myself torn by the delicate atmosphere of this dress as well.

First Visit [Design Selection & Measurement]

At Emariee, like regular dress shops, there are rental dresses available in sizes 5 to 13, but they also offer a couture type where they measure from scratch to create a dress tailored precisely to your body.

Even with rental dresses, they provide thorough size alterations, so there’s no risk of being too loose or baggy, yet the special feeling of couture is on a different level altogether.

Emma said, “There’s a notable difference between freshly picked roses and those picked a few days ago,” which left a great impression on me and showed her sensibility as a designer◎

It’s impossible to fit everyone into just one pattern. For instance, someone might be short but have a large bust, or tall but skinny... Everyone has their own uniqueness, so couture is the best option for wearing a dress that fits perfectly.

Especially since my size fell between 7 and 9, the designer Emma also mentioned that “the advantages of making it in couture can be fully utilized.”

Here is the flow for getting a couture dress made at Emariee.

① Measurement

② Sample Check

③ Basting

④ Accessories Matching

⑤ Final Fitting

First, I tried on the dresses that I thought were cute among the many options and decided on the design.

Then, the measurements began. The pattern maker meticulously measured every part of my body.

I do classical ballet, and due to my posture, my chest length happens to be longer than average. Emma pointed out, “The inverted triangle waist appears very slim,” giving me insights about my body shape, which I’d never known before, and at the same time, she positively encouraged me, making what I thought would be an embarrassing experience into a happy one throughout the measurement＊

As I left, I received a lovely card outlining the future flow and a photo of the dress, filling me with excitement for what’s to come…♡

I felt that every bride who longs to be a princess would leave the space feeling happy, and I returned home with that thought in my mind.＊

The journey to the completion of the dress is just beginning, but I felt that I need to do my best to become an “Emariee Princess”! I want to polish myself inside and out towards becoming a wonderful bride＊

Second Visit [Basting]

When I visited for the basting, the very first dress that caught my eye was this one.

This was a dress made not from the actual fabric but from the basting fabric in my size＊ I was already enchanted by how it looked…♡ I tried it on, and Emma carefully checked if it fit my body.

From there, they removed all the colors and ribbons to make it a simple dress…! It was such a rare experience to see a dress in progress…♡

After that, they would tailor it to fit even more precisely, down to the millimeter. It was already a dress made in my size, and yet to make it fit me even better… I was able to feel that special experience again.

During that process, I heard sounds like “ripping” as the fabric was torn and “snipping” as it was cut, and even though it was a temporary dress, I was amazed by the work of dismantling such a beautiful dress. This is an experience you can only have when making a couture dress, and it made me feel deeply moved＊

As the fabric was adjusted along my body, my figure was highlighted, particularly the waistline was impressive. While I wouldn't say my physique is particularly good, I was amazed at how beautifully they tailored it to make my body look nice.＊

After finishing the adjustment, they focused on adjusting the thickness of the neckline and the placement of the ribbons. Even a tiny change in the ribbon's height drastically affects the atmosphere, and since Emma carefully listened to the bride's preferences, I was truly witnessing the creation of “my favorite dress”♪

After this, the temporary dress will be dismantled, shaped, and finished with the actual fabric. I imagined it like making the dress twice. I returned home excitedly looking forward to the next final fitting.♬

Third Visit [Accessory Matching & Final Fitting]

About a week before the ceremony, I went for the final fitting. The dress I had been eagerly waiting for finally made its debut…♡

The brand-new dress made from real fabric was shiny, has volume, and somehow felt alive, possessing an extraordinary beauty beyond just being a “thing.”

This was not the completion; adjustments for the hem and final touches were still to come.

It seems everyone has their own unique body quirks; for instance, in my case, my left hip is a little protruding. Such “body quirks” can slightly affect the flow of the dress.

Emma was able to spot even those subtle quirks that would go unnoticed by others and made adjustments so that they wouldn’t affect the appearance of the dress.

“Everyone has their own body type, and there’s no one with perfectly symmetrical features, so this is where I get to show my skills in making the best dress.” Emma said.＊

During my fitting, I expressed concern about the flow of the petticoat drifting slightly to the side, and even up until the very end, she helped me make adjustments.

You might think it wouldn't matter since it's not visible underneath the dress, but I was left in awe at the level of detail that went into adjusting the wrinkles in the tulle.

Next, they would finalize the positions of the neckline and the dress for the final finishing touches. They even paid attention to the way the wrinkles in the ribbon formed.

Since I wished for an elegant atmosphere, they adjusted the front fabric to be a bit deeper so that less skin would show, while allowing the back neckline to be adjusted just right when viewed from the front.

For the hair accessory, I chose the ribbon bun that Nanako Matsushima wore as Sakurako in the drama “Yamato Nadeshiko.”

I put everything on, wore the actual ceremony shoes to get the hem adjusted, and practiced walking while wearing the veil.

Since they adjusted the hem based on my leg length, it was very easy to walk, and I felt there was no risk of tripping. Practicing a lot within the salon gave me greater peace of mind.＊

Now, I can’t wait to see the completed dress on the big day! ♬

Emariee will deliver all the dresses to the venue. What surprised me was that they make a guide for how to put the dress on and deliver it to the venue. They will even iron it at the venue to ensure it’s delivered in a truly perfect condition.

I’m so looking forward to welcoming my wedding day dressed in an Emariee gown!＊

➡️ Here is the official Emariee website

➡️ Here is Emariee's Instagram account＊