Ready to wear is usually fastest: a finished dress in a standard size, altered if needed. Made to order, like our Evening Couture Collection, makes an existing design to your measurements in four to six weeks. Bespoke is designed with you from scratch, takes six to twelve months and starts from $3,500. The right choice depends mostly on your time and how individual you want the gown to be.
What are the three ways to an evening gown?
Ready to wear
A finished dress in a standard size that you try on before you buy. It is usually the quickest route.
Made to order: the Evening Couture Collection
The Evening Couture Collection is four coloured gowns Catherine showed at New York Fashion Week in September 2026: Gold and amethyst, Silver organza, Scarlet velvet and The finale. Each is made to order to your measurements in four to six weeks, and quoted at your consultation.
Bespoke
A bespoke evening gown is designed with Catherine from a blank page: a hand-drawn sketch, fabric chosen together, a toile cut to your measurements and three to five fittings. It takes six to twelve months and starts from $3,500. A simpler design may need less time; timing is confirmed at your consultation.
How do they compare?
| Ready to wear | Made to order collection | Bespoke | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Usually quick, plus any alterations | Four to six weeks | Six to twelve months |
| Fit | Standard sizing | Made to your measurements | Drafted to your body, refined over three to five fittings |
| Design | As it is | One of four New York looks | Created for you |
| Uniqueness | Others may own the same dress | A runway design, made for you | Yours alone |
| Price | Varies by label | Quoted at your consultation | From $3,500 |
| Best for | Short notice, trying before buying | A look you already love, a few months’ notice | A vision of your own, plenty of time |
How different is the fit?
Ready-to-wear dresses are cut to standard sizes, and every body differs from a size chart in some way. Made to order starts from your measurements, so the gown is cut for you. Bespoke goes further: the pattern is drafted to your body, tested in a toile, and refined over several fittings as the gown is built. If you are often between sizes, or want a gown that moves with you all night, that difference matters.
How unique will my gown be?
A ready-to-wear dress is someone else’s design and others may own it. A collection gown is one of Catherine’s runway designs, made for you. A bespoke gown is designed only for you, in your colour, fabric and shape. As our Bespoke page says, “Bespoke evening couture is where Catherine’s love of colour, drama and detail shines brightest: elegant, sexy and made to be remembered.”
Which should I choose? A decision list
- Your event is less than four to six weeks away: ready to wear is usually quickest, or call the atelier on +61 2 9922 4193 to talk through your timing.
- Your event is about two months away and one of the New York looks feels right: the Evening Couture Collection.
- Your event is six months or more away and you have your own idea: bespoke.
- You want to try the finished gown before paying: ready to wear.
- You want a specific colour, fabric or detail no one else has: bespoke.
- You want something with meaning built in: bespoke.
For timing in detail, read evening gown fittings and timeline, and for price, how much a custom evening gown costs. To see the collection and talk about bespoke, book a consultation.
