The wearer
Age, approximate size, current measurements when available, fit preferences, and anything we should consider for comfort or movement.
The art of your custom gown
A personal couture process
From first idea to a gown made for your moment.
You do not need to arrive with every detail figured out. Bring us the colors, the occasion, the inspiration, or simply the feeling you want to create. We guide the decisions that turn that beginning into an original Bentley + Lace gown.
A guided design experience. Fit, fabric, proportion, movement, purpose, construction, and finished length are considered before the first stitch.
Vision becomes direction.Inspiration · design · fabric · fit · creation
9,000+ GownsDesigned with experience
Award-WinningOriginal couture design
Over a DecadeHands-on design + sewing
60+ YearsCombined team sewing experience
North TexasShipped nationwide
Crafted with intention
A custom gown should feel personal long before it is ever worn.
Every Bentley + Lace custom gown begins with context. We study the wearer, the occasion, the visual story, the color palette, the desired fit, and how the gown actually needs to function.
That is where custom design becomes more than choosing a color from a menu. A beautiful idea still has to become a workable silhouette. Fabric has to behave correctly. A skirt needs the right structure. A portrait gown may need movement and sweep; an event gown may need a practical hem and easier mobility.
Our role is to help you make those decisions with experience behind them.
You do not need fashion terminology. Tell us what you are planning, what you love, what you do not love, and what the finished moment should feel like. We can guide the rest.
Before we design
Start with what you know.
A strong custom inquiry does not require a finished sketch. These four pieces of information give us enough context to begin shaping a thoughtful direction.
The purpose
Portrait session, flower girl, pageant, birthday, cotillion, holiday, maternity, formal event, editorial concept, or another meaningful moment.
The timeline
Your actual wear date matters. Give us the event or session date, not only the date you hope to receive the gown.
The visual direction
Colors, mood boards, venue details, backdrops, florals, reference images, an existing Bentley + Lace design, or simply words that describe the feeling.
The couture process
Exactly how your custom gown comes to life.
The experience is personal, but the process is intentional. We move from vision to approved design, secured materials, individual production, inspection, and delivery.
01Vision + consultation
Step one
Vision & Consultation
We begin with your inspiration, colors, silhouettes, event details, timeline, approximate sizing, and how the gown will be used. We help separate the must-have details from the elements that can be refined.
Share reference images, colors, venue or set details
Tell us whether the gown is for photography, an event, or both
Discuss approximate size, length, fit, and movement needs
02Design + fabric
Step two
Design & Fabric Curation
We refine the silhouette, proportions, color story, textile direction, structure, sleeves, bows, detachable pieces, embellishment, and finished length. When the design direction is approved, your invoice and production details are finalized.
Couture-grade fabrics are selected for the intended silhouette
Availability and specialty sourcing can affect final pricing
Once approved and paid, materials are secured for your gown
03Individual creation
Step three
Handcrafted Creation
Your gown enters production and is created individually rather than pulled from a mass-production line. Cutting, layering, structure, gathering, closures, fit features, trims, and finishing are handled according to the approved design.
Production is planned around the approved measurements and design
Construction is evaluated for movement and photography-readiness
Updates are provided at key points when appropriate
04Finish + delivery
Before it leaves our studio
Final review is part of the process.
Construction and finishing reviewed
Approved design details checked
Gown prepared for secure shipment
Nationwide delivery information confirmed
Step four
Final Inspection & Delivery
Your completed gown is inspected, finished, prepared, and readied for shipment. Most custom orders require approximately 8–14 weeks from final design approval, with additional shipping time to your destination.
Final construction and finishing are checked before shipment
Nationwide shipping is available
Rush availability depends on design, materials, and production capacity
What we are considering
Beautiful is only one part of the design.
Couture has to work visually and structurally. These are some of the decisions happening behind the scenes while we refine your gown.
Where the eye lands
Waist placement, bodice length, skirt volume, shoulder detail, sleeve shape, and train length all change how the wearer is proportioned.
How the textile moves
Satin, tulle, mesh, organza, 3D appliqué, glitter, and specialty textiles each drape, reflect light, and hold structure differently.
What she needs to do
A gown designed for posing can be longer and more dramatic. Walking, dancing, stage use, or ceremony wear may require a different hem and construction plan.
How the gown should fit
When the design allows, adjustable ties, elastic, corset-style elements, or thoughtful ease can add flexibility without compromising the silhouette.
From inspiration to direction
You can bring a sketch. You do not need one.
Some clients arrive with a clear visual. Others have a color, a venue, a floral design, a photograph, or one Bentley + Lace gown they love and want to personalize. Both are valid starting points.
A Bentley + Lace design
Start with one of our existing silhouettes and ask about approved changes to color, length, sleeves, bows, fabrics, or detachable pieces.
Reference imagery
Show us what you are drawn to. We use references to understand proportion, texture, color, mood, and detail rather than duplicate another designer.
Your event world
Florals, venue, backdrop, invitation, photographer style, or color palette can give us enough visual language to begin.
A feeling
Romantic, dramatic, whimsical, editorial, heirloom, playful, ethereal, structured, or understated can be the beginning of a strong design direction.
The goal is not to copy what already exists. The goal is to understand what you love about it and create something that belongs to your story.
One detail changes everything
Tell us how the gown will actually be worn.
The same visual concept may need two very different construction plans depending on whether the wearer is posing for portraits or moving through an event.
Primarily for photography
Portrait + editorial gowns
- Extra skirt length or sweep may be intentional for posing
- Volume and layers can be prioritized for visual impact
- Movement is considered for twirls, sitting, and styled positioning
- Texture and detail are evaluated for how they read on camera
Primarily for an event
Wedding + formal wear
- Walking clearance and the finished hem become more important
- Shoe height should be known before the final length is planned
- Sitting, dancing, stage use, ceremony movement, and comfort matter
- We may recommend less sweep or different structure for practicality
If the gown needs to do both, tell us. We can design with both the photograph and the real-life moment in mind.
Chest / Bust
Measured around the fullest point, level around the body and without adding extra ease.
Natural Waist
Measured at the natural waist rather than where a retail waistband happens to sit.
Hips
Important for fitted silhouettes, teen and adult designs, and any gown with close shaping below the waist.
Finished Length
Planned around the wearer, shoes, portrait purpose, event movement, and the intended hem.
Fit + measurements
Measurements are part of the design, not an afterthought.
Custom gowns are created from the measurements and finished-length information supplied for the wearer. The exact measurement list depends on the silhouette, age, and construction.
01
Use current measurementsDo not rely only on a retail clothing size. Children and teens can grow quickly, so timing matters.
02
Professional measuring is encouragedEspecially for fitted, formal, teen, adult, maternity, or structured designs.
03
Finished length must be intentionalTell us the desired hem and shoe height when the gown will be used for walking or an event.
04
Growth cannot be guessed perfectlyAdjustable construction may help when appropriate, but no custom gown can be assumed to accommodate unlimited growth.
What happens after approval
A clear production path.
Most custom gowns take approximately 8–14 weeks from final design approval. The safest plan is always to begin early, especially for fixed wedding, holiday, pageant, or portrait dates.
01Design Approved
Measurements, colors, silhouette, details, timeline, and pricing are confirmed.
02Payment Completed
Your order becomes active once the required payment terms are satisfied.
03Materials Secured
Specialty fabrics and trims are ordered or allocated for your approved design.
04Production
Your gown is individually cut, constructed, layered, finished, and quality checked.
05Delivery
The completed gown is prepared for nationwide shipment. Allow transit time beyond production.
Rush orders: Rush availability is never guaranteed. It depends on the design, materials, current production queue, and whether the timeline still allows us to protect the quality of the finished piece.
Before production begins
The details we want every custom client to understand.
Made-to-order work is different from purchasing a finished retail item. Approval matters because materials, labor, and production are committed specifically to your gown.
Review before you approve
Check color direction, silhouette, sleeves, length, detachable pieces, measurements, and the quoted timeline carefully before production is released.
Materials can vary
Specialty fabrics may be limited. Screen settings, lighting, dye lots, texture, and embellishment placement can create natural variations from reference imagery.
Custom work is final sale
Custom orders are made for a specific client and are non-refundable. Once production and material purchasing begin, cancellations and design changes are not accepted.
Accuracy is the client’s responsibility
We construct from the measurements provided. Incorrect, incomplete, or outdated measurements can affect the finished fit.
Ask before production
If you are unsure about a detail, ask before approving. After materials are purchased or construction begins, even a small change can require new fabric or rebuilding part of the gown.
Inspiration is welcome
We can study references and understand the elements you love, but we do not promise exact duplication of another designer’s work or a photograph from another source.
Why experience matters
Your gown should not be the place someone learns by trial and error.
Custom couture asks for judgment before it asks for sewing. Fabric selection, proportion, support, skirt engineering, closures, stretch, growth, movement, lighting, and finished length all affect whether a design works beyond the sketch.
Bentley + Lace brings more than a decade of hands-on design and sewing experience, an award-winning original design perspective, more than 9,000 gowns designed, and decades of combined sewing knowledge across our team. That experience lets us do something important: tell you when an idea works, when it needs refinement, and when another approach will create a better finished gown.
9,000+Gowns designed
10+ YearsDesign + sewing experience
Award-WinningOriginal couture vision
60+ YearsCombined team sewing experience
Custom design FAQ
Questions clients ask before saying yes.
If your question is not answered here, send it with your inquiry. Clear expectations are part of a good custom experience.
Do I need to know exactly what I want before I contact you?
No. You can begin with an occasion, date, color palette, reference image, mood board, an existing Bentley + Lace design, or simply the feeling you want. We can help turn that into a workable custom direction.
Do I need to send a sketch?
No. Sketches are welcome, but they are not required. Inspiration photos, venue details, florals, colors, or examples of silhouettes you like can be just as helpful.
Can you copy a gown I found online?
We can use outside imagery to understand what you love about a silhouette, color story, sleeve, texture, or overall feeling, but our goal is to create an original Bentley + Lace interpretation rather than reproduce another designer’s work stitch for stitch.
Can I customize an existing Bentley + Lace gown?
Often, yes. Depending on the design, available materials, and construction, we may be able to adjust color, length, fabric, sleeves, bows, detachable pieces, trims, or other approved details.
How long does a custom gown take?
Most custom gowns require approximately 8–14 weeks from final design approval. Busy seasons, specialty sourcing, complex construction, or highly detailed gowns may require more time. Shipping time is additional.
Do you offer rush orders?
Rush options may be available depending on your date, the design, fabric availability, and current production volume. Rush service is never guaranteed, so fixed events should be planned as early as possible.
When does my production time begin?
The production window begins after the design details are finalized, measurements are confirmed, and the required payment terms are completed. Material sourcing follows the approved design.
What measurements will you need?
The list depends on the gown. Common measurements include height, chest or bust, natural waist, hips when relevant, shoulder-to-waist, and finished length. Fitted, sleeve, teen, adult, maternity, or specialty designs may require additional measurements. View our measurement guide.
What if my child grows after I order?
Use current measurements and tell us the wear date. When the design allows, adjustable ties, elastic, or corset-style construction may add flexibility, but custom sizing cannot guarantee accommodation for unlimited or unexpected growth.
Should I have a tailor take the measurements?
Professional measuring is strongly recommended for structured, fitted, teen, adult, maternity, or formal-event designs. Custom fit depends on the accuracy of the measurements provided.
Can I choose any color or fabric?
Many designs have extensive color and fabric possibilities, but not every textile works for every silhouette. We guide the selection based on structure, drape, sourcing, color availability, design purpose, and your timeline.
What if the fabric we discussed becomes unavailable?
Specialty textiles can sell out or change. If a required material becomes unavailable before it is secured, we will discuss suitable alternatives and any effect on the design, price, or timeline before moving forward.
Can the gown be designed for both portraits and an event?
Yes, but tell us that from the beginning. Portrait gowns can intentionally use dramatic length and sweep, while event wear needs easier movement and a practical hem. We can plan the design with both uses in mind when possible.
Will I receive updates while my gown is being made?
Production communication is provided at appropriate stages. Because each gown and workflow is different, the exact number and timing of updates can vary.
Can I change my design after I approve it?
Ask about changes before approval whenever possible. Once materials are purchased or production begins, design changes, measurement changes, and cancellations are generally not accepted because the work and materials have already been committed to your gown.
Are custom gowns refundable?
No. Custom gowns are made specifically for the client and are final sale. Materials ordered for an approved design are non-refundable once purchased.
Do you ship custom gowns nationwide?
Yes. Bentley + Lace is based in North Texas and ships custom couture throughout the United States. Build shipping time into your event planning rather than treating the production completion date as the wear date.
What to send us
Wearer + approximate size
Event or portrait date
Color palette + inspiration
How the gown will be worn
Anything that matters about fit
Begin your custom journey
Bring us the beginning. We will help shape the rest.
Tell us who the gown is for, the date, the occasion, your colors, your inspiration, and anything that matters about fit or movement. You do not have to solve the design before you contact us.
Custom couture · Designed in North Texas · Shipped nationwide · Typical production 8–14 weeks after final design approval
Begin Your Custom Journey
Let’s design your gown.
Tell us your vision below and we’ll reach out personally to begin creating your one-of-a-kind piece.
Most custom gowns take 8–14 weeks from design approval. Rush options available — ask us about your timeline.
Start your custom inquiry.
Photography Rental Studio & Gown Warehouse
Our Aubrey, Texas location is home to the Bentley + Lace gown studio, nationwide rental warehouse, and appointment-based photography studio rental space. This is a working studio and warehouse and is not open for public walk-ins.
Hours
- Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- December–January: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Studio Access
Appointments only — we are not open to the public.
Appointments only - Studio rentals are available by appointment only. Available dates and times are shown during booking.
Contact
Important Note:
This address is not a return location for rental gowns. Do not ship rental returns to this address.