Maybelle Originals & Bespoke
Whether you fall in love with a design from our original collection or you dream of creating something entirely new, your journey begins here.
At Maybelle, we believe every bride deserves a gown that fits her body as well as her unique spirit. We offer two distinct ways to wear a sustainable, vintage style wedding dress that bridges the gap between history and high fashion.
One Aesthetic. Two Paths.
Path 1
Maybelle Originals
(Made-to-Order)
"I love your style—make it fit me."
Select one of our house designs by vintage wedding gown designer Christine Carlson. This is the perfect choice for the bride seeking a vintage bridal look without the limitations of sizing or the fragility of antique lace. Sustainably crafted from fine silks and deadstock materials, these gowns offer the soul of the past with the effortless fit of the present.
The Process: Choose a silhouette and fabric from our collection. We take your measurements and cut the gown for you in our Maplewood atelier.
The Experience: Choose from our curated collection of signature house styles inspired by vintage silhouettes.
The Fit: Made-to-order. Select your perfect fit from our inclusive size range (2–16).
The Result: A gown with the soul of a vintage classic, constructed with a modern fit.
Timeline: 6-8 weeks
Path 2
The Bespoke Commission
(Fully Custom)
"I have a vision—let’s build it together."
For the bride who wants a gown that exists nowhere else in the world. Work directly with Christine to design a one-of-a-kind dress from a blank page.
The Experience: A collaborative journey starting with sketches and fabric sourcing. We prototype your custom wedding dress in muslin to perfect the fit before cutting from rare, antique, or deadstock fabrics.
The Fit: Made-to-measure. We create a unique pattern based on your specific body measurements for a flawless finish.
The Result: A completely unique couture creation that tells your personal story. Entirely customizable, from the weight of the silk to the placement of every hand-sewn detail.
Timeline: 12-18 weeks
Designer's Note“Maybelle Originals are my love letter to the best of the past—my favorite silhouettes, ready to wear. Bespoke is where we push the boundaries of what's possible, creating the heirlooms of the future.” — Christine Carlson
Service Comparison
Not sure which path is right for you? Compare our service tiers below.
| Feature | Maybelle Originals | Bespoke |
|---|---|---|
| Design Source | Existing house patterns | Created from scratch |
| Fittings | 2–3 standard fittings | 4+ comprehensive fittings |
| Customization | Open to subtle design shifts, from sleeve lengths to skirt volume | Unlimited design freedom |
| Fabric | Curated collection options | Sourced specifically for you |
Begin Your Journey
To preserve an intimate, dedicated experience for every bride, the Maybelle studio operates strictly by appointment. Choose the path that matches your vision:
For Maybelle Originals
If you are looking to try on our signature house collection, the process is simple and fits standard wedding timelines.
The Appointment: Book a standard private atelier shopping appointment to view the collection, try on our studio samples, and have your measurements taken for ordering.
For The Bespoke Commission
Because each fully custom gown is designed from a blank page and requires intensive artisan craftsmanship, Christine only accepts a limited number of bespoke commissions each season.
Step 1: The Inquiry Form Fill out our brief custom gown questionnaire below to share your wedding date, design inspiration, and vision. Please note that fully bespoke commissions typically start at $5,000.
Step 2: The Consultation Call If your project is a good fit for the studio's seasonal calendar, we will invite you to a complimentary 15-minute discovery phone call to chat through the initial details.
Step 3: The Bespoke Design Session ($299) Following our call, you can formally secure your commission slot by booking a dedicated Design Session. This $299 fee covers your custom design sketches, fabric swatch curation, and an in-studio appointment where you will view your designs in real life, handle the premium silks, and have your precise couture measurements taken. (Note: The design fee is a standalone charge for creative direction and is not applied to the cost of the gown).
The Atelier Experience
Located in Maplewood, NJ, our sun-drenched studio is a short train ride from NYC. Whether you choose an Original or a Bespoke gown, you will receive the same intimate, one-on-one attention that defines the Maybelle experience.
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Yes, absolutely. We love incorporating personal history into our Bespoke designs, whether it’s a length of rare antique lace you discovered while antiquing or a cherished heirloom textile passed down through your family.
Because older textiles can occasionally be fragile or behave unpredictably under a needle, all client-provided materials must be physically reviewed by Christine during your design process. We will assess the fabric's structural integrity, weave, and drape to ensure it can be safely integrated into your gown and stand the test of time beautifully.
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Yes, to an extent! We love personalizing your wedding gown, but structural changes change the process.
Minor Tweaks: If you love a Maybelle Original but want a minor modification—such as adding a specific sleeve or adjusting the neckline layout—we can absolutely accommodate that. These individual changes will simply be priced as individual bespoke add-ons to your made-to-order gown.
When it becomes fully Bespoke: If a modification requires a completely different textile or changes the dress's core architecture, it usually means we have to draft a brand-new pattern from scratch. Because a new pattern requires custom engineering and individual muslin prototyping, major design overhauls will automatically transition your project into a fully custom (Bespoke) commission.
During your initial consultation, we will review your ideas together. Christine retains ultimate design discretion to determine which path best serves your vision and ensures the flawless structural integrity of your gown.
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Maybelle Originals (Made-to-Order): Gowns in our signature house collection start at $2,200. Because these designs utilize existing house patterns, pricing is fixed based on the silhouette and base materials.
The Bespoke Commission (Fully Custom): Fully custom, made-to-measure gowns typically start at $5,000. The final investment varies depending on the complexity of the design, the number of structural layers, the fabrication, and the amount of hand-finished artistry required.
Your Proposal Timeline: Because we source limited-run deadstock textiles and rare, one-of-a-kind vintage materials that cannot be replaced, our fabric inventory fluctuates. To guarantee availability and secure your custom material choices, all design proposals and pricing contracts are valid for 10 days from the date they are issued.
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Your textiles are treated with the utmost care while in our possession. Once your project is active and a contract is signed, your materials are safely housed in our atelier as part of your gown’s construction.
Heirloom pieces or materials left at the studio without an active project or signed agreement after that window will incur a $25 monthly storage fee. (Please note: this storage fee is entirely waived the moment you officially sign your contract and move forward with us!)