Be A Designer, Gallarate. Bridal and formal wear for brands and ateliers.
Your bridal and formalwear collection.
Wedding dresses, formal wear and outfits for wedding guests, all personalised with your name. We support you every step of the way – from the initial design and the search for lace and fabrics, right through to the specialist workshop, the sample stage and production.
12 years in the Made in Italy supply chainOver 200 people supported in launching their brandTrustpilot 4.2/5, every review is 5 stars
In brief.
Be A Designer is a design studio based in Gallarate (Varese) which has been supporting emerging designers and brands in the creation and production of their collections for the past 12 years. For bridal and formal wear, it works with the designer, brand or atelier to develop designs, fits and materials; sources lace, silk and fabrics; selects a specialist workshop; and oversees the sample-making and production of the collection. Wedding and formal wear require specialised pattern-making, materials and tailoring techniques: for this reason, costs and minimum order quantities are set out in the quotation once the design and materials have been chosen.
Service details Bride and wedding ceremony
- Who
- Be A Designer, Gallarate (VA)
- What
- Wedding dresses, formal wear, outfits for guests
- Where
- Specialist laboratories, selected on a project-by-project basis
- Minimums
- Subject to a quote, depending on the model and workshop
- Customisation
- Lace, fabrics, embroidery, labels and packaging
- Who it's for
- Wedding dress designers, boutiques and brands launching a formalwear range
A dress you spend months choosing.
A wedding dress is worn for just one day, but it takes months to choose: the cut, materials and finishes must stand up to the most scrutiny. That is why we start with the design and the materials, not the catalogue.
Wedding dresses
Corsets, skirts, trains and fastenings: the most tailoring-intensive part, which needs to be developed and fitted with care.
The ceremony and the guests
Dresses, suits and formalwear, for those looking for an alternative to the catalogue.
Lace, silk and embroidery
Lace, mikado, crêpe, tulle and embroidery selected prior to the sample, in line with the brand’s positioning.
A bridal collection or a capsule collection for formal occasions.
Some designers want a complete bridal collection, whilst others prefer just a few formal dresses to round off the range. In this first call, we’ll work out where to start.
Bridal Collection
More styles, a range of sizes and a clear positioning, whether selling in boutiques or directly: a project to be developed through strategy and sample collections.
Occasionwear capsule
Just a few formal dresses in the same style as your womens’ collection.
In both cases, we start with the design and materials: if you don’t have them, the design department will develop them with you.
The right tailor’s for every outfit.
Wedding and formal dresses are produced in specialist workshops, selected on a project-by-project basis depending on the type of dress, the craftsmanship involved and the quantities required. We always tell you where the garments are made and we do not label anything as ‘Made in Italy’ if it isn’t.
Be A Designer doesn’t just handle production. We only undertake pure contract manufacturing for VAT-registered individuals and established companies. Those starting from scratch go through the full programme: it’s the safest way to avoid spending money on production before knowing what to sell, to whom and at what price.
We keep a close eye on samples and production: we visit the laboratory; we don’t just send emails.
From idea to product, in six stages.
The Be A Designer programme, tailored for brides and wedding ceremonies. If you already have a design, we’ll start from the stage you need.
Strategy
Who are you selling to, at what price, and with which dresses?
Drawing
The brand’s designs, fit and style.
Materials
Lace, silk, tulle and embroidery.
Sample
The first dress to try on and adjust.
Production
Sizes, labels and packaging, subject to checks.
Launch
Content, workshops and e-commerce.
Why Be A Designer and not just any manufacturer.
| Generic manufacturer | Be A Designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A catalogue of outfits we’ve seen before. | Your style and a bespoke collection. |
| Materials | What we have in stock. | Lace, silk and tulle selected before the sample was made. |
| Manufacturer | You’re trying to sort it out on your own, without knowing who does what. | The specialist workshop tailored to your needs. |
| Check | Have a look at the clothes when they arrive. | Sample tested and corrected prior to production. |
| After | Just collect the clothes; the rest is up to you. | Content, e-commerce and launch – all handled by the same team. |
How much does a bridal collection cost?
For wedding and formal dresses, the cost depends on the design, materials, craftsmanship and quantity, and varies considerably from one workshop to another. For this reason, it is specified in the quotation once the design has been finalised.
| Item | Approximate cost | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Development and prototyping | subject to a quotation | Style, fit and size range |
| Sample | subject to a quotation | Design, materials and workmanship |
| Production | subject to a quotation | Model, materials and quantities |
| Brand labels | €0.15–0.20 each | Manufactured on an industrial scale, in a batch of around 1,000 items |
| Packaging | subject to a quotation | Garment bags, boxes and tags |
During the first call, we’ll give you a rough estimate for your project and explain what factors affect the minimum requirements and timelines.
Frequently asked questions.
Be A Designer supports designers, brands and ateliers in the development of bridal and formalwear collections: design, fit, sourcing of lace and fabrics, selection of specialist workshops, prototyping and production.
No. We work with those who want a collection bearing their own name – such as designers, brands and ateliers – not with individual brides looking for their wedding dress.
No. Wedding and formal dresses are produced in specialist workshops, selected on a project-by-project basis depending on the type of dress and the quantities involved. Be A Designer oversees the development process and manages the relationship with the workshop.
It depends on the design, materials, workmanship and quantity: a simple crêpe dress and an embroidered lace dress have very different costs. This is why the price is specified in the quotation; the brand’s labels cost €0.15–0.20 each for a run of around 1,000 pieces.
Minimum quantities depend on the model and the manufacturer and are specified in the quotation. During our initial call, we’ll give you a rough estimate for your project.
It depends on the workshop you choose. Be A Designer always states where its products are made and does not label items as ‘Made in Italy’ if they are not.
What else do we do for brands?
Let’s talk about your bridal collection.
A free phone call to discuss the project, the outfits and the budget. No obligation.
Or write to [email protected]
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