When I lived in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal in West Africa, I used a tailor to make some clothes because there were not many places I could go shopping for my clothes. I always found it a lot of work as you have to have a couple of fittings until the clothes fit well.
I hesitated to have a tailor make a dress for a formal ball that my husband and I went at the end of November in 2011. I ordered a dress online which came on time. I, however, ended up ordering a tailor-made dress within a short period of time as the dress (for some reason, I decided to buy a regular dress as opposed to maternity dress) I purchased did not fit me because my belly grew a lot due to pregnancy. The zipper simply did not go up around my chest.
Having no other choices, I quickly went to Pasar Mayestik, a textile market in Jakarta, and bought 5 meters of chiffon fabric. I went to a store called IKO BANA. There are two stores that are called Iko Bana in Mayestik. One is a craft store and the other one which I went is a store for textiles only. My blogger friend, the Diplomatic Wife, took me to IKO BANA once, and I liked it. Toko IKO BANA has very reasonable prices. The store always have many locals shopping which to me is a very good sign.
Then I called my girl friend’s tailor whom she highly recommended. It was a gamble to me because I have never had this tailor make anything for me in the past and the first time I asked her to come was for her to make a ball gown for me. I didn’t have any other options since I’m pregnant and I can’t just go out and buy a formal dress.
Jump to the conclusion, I am satisfied with the result. It was worth the three hectic fittings and rushing to get it done within the time restriction of a bit shorter than two weeks. I designed the dress myself. I saw a couple of dresses in magazines that inspired me and I wanted something simple, so voila. I was 27 weeks pregnant when I took these photos.
Pasar Mayestik
Jl. Tebah III
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA 12120
Clutch
From AZIROO
Perum Jatibening Permai
Jl. Melati No. 6 Blok A – 114
Kalimalang – Bekasi 17412
Tel: 021-8477160
e-mail: Aziroo_leather@yahoo.com
Click here for the photos of Aziroo products I took at a British Women’s Association’s Christmas bazaar in 2010.
Very pretty, Kaho! I like the color too! As you could see in my blog, I use the same color for my mom and my mom-in-law’s dresses for my wedding reception. Grey is unusual, but when you wear it the right way, it’s very elegant!
Gorgeous, Kaho!!! You look so elegant in the gray dress… And the bracelet!!!
that dress is really nice. and looks so flattering on you
hope you had a nice new year celebration
take care
x
Beautiful! I agree that the end result was worth the extra time.
My daughter wants a tailored prom dress as she is hard to fit, and I’m having a hard time finding someone where I am who does that (for a reasonable price).
Happy New Year!
I hear you! I can afford it since I am in Jakarta. 🙂 Prom dress! How nice!
Happy New Year to you, too!!
Kaho, you look GORGEOUS! I love the color, and the way it flows to the floor. It’s so elegant and beautiful.
Happy New Year!
Wow it’s so perfectly tailored! Looking stunning in that dress too!! 😀
Happy New Year Kaho!
I must agree, the color is lovely. that;s really awesome to own a tailored dress and one that you designed yourself!
Thanks, Elisa! Not much designing was involved 😛 since it was such a simple dress, but I am glad it turned out well!
This is stunning!! You look so beautiful in it!
Ah, so sweet. Thanks!!
Kaho, wow, you look stunning and glowing 🙂
Awww, thank you… And BIG now!
You look gorgeous, Kaho! Sigh… I wish I had documented my life in Texas in a blog as well. I don’t even have many pictures from my years moving from city to city there…
I’m following your blog now. Do keep writing! I live in Jakarta, but I found so many things in your blog! Thank you!
VIsit me:
LeeAnne, Style N Season
http://stylenseason.blogspot.com
Thanks!!
You look simply stunning Kaho! I hope you don’t mind me asking about the prices for the cloth and the tailor? Perhaps you can PM me? I’d love to know since I’ve been meaning to have something done, but I don’t like the uncertainty of going to someone that I don’t have any recommendations for. Super thanks!
Sure!! The chiffon fabric was IDR 125,000, or somewhere around there and I bought 5 meters. It was something like IDR 25,000 per meter. Very cheap. Then the tailor got the lining fabric for me because the fabric I bought was not suitable for the formal dress. Including the lining and the tailoring, I paid IDR 650,000. This includes her using taxi to come see me as well. I thought that it was very reasonable. In the end the total was IDR 775,000 which is about US$80. I am very happy with it.
What a great deal Kaho! I’ll definitely check her out when I need a tailor. And that chiffon is an amazing buy! You look like a million bucks. =) Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks! Well, thanks to you, I was able to find the good chiffon. It’s from Toko Iko Bana!
HI Kaho! The dress is really stunning. I’m looking for a tailor for me as well. Can you share me the contact person for the tailor? Really appreciate it.
Isabella, thanks for the comment! Sure! I’ll send it to you.
Hi, my name is Karina. May I please also have the contact person of the tailor?
Thanks before 🙂
Her number is 081314040670. I hope you’ll enjoy the process of making an outfit!
This is such a gorgeous gown for a preggie! You look fab in it and the cut suits you perfectly!
Thanks!!! I loved it. It was comfortable, too!
Hello,
May I know whom you used as your tailor for your dress?
Cheers!
I don’t know if the number is still the same, but the tailor’s number is as follows. 081314040670 I hope you can get in touch with her!