I got this replica made from one of the GS designers. I initially wanted the base colour of the outfit to be the same but the embroidery changed to a more goldenish shade.
Changes I asked for were:
To be made sleeveless.
Remove the slit appearance on the front and instead continue with the same design as seen on the rest of the outfit.
Reduce the dupatta border to about 2 inches
Omit the lehenga and make a plain churidaar instead.
As per our initial agreement when the advance was paid I was supposed to receive the outfit by 3rd/4th May 2013. However, I received the pictures of the unstitched suit just yesterday.
Original picture:
When the fabric was dyed, I was told that the shade was more towards tea pink and I was sent the pictures. We were already running late and I was OK with the tea pink shade and so I told the designer to go ahead with the fabric instead of getting it dyed again.
What I see now is this:
I was sent some pictures in between (after asking for them a couple of times). I did raise a concern that the embroidery does not look as seen in the original picture and I was asked to wait till the entire work was done before I concluded anything. After I saw the final pictures, I felt that it doesn’t really resemble the kaam on the original outfit. What are your comments please?
sorry but it looks nothing like original:(
did u ask them to change the embroidry colors?
Yes, I wanted more of gold as the jewelry I planned to wear with this outfit was all gold...and I felt the original picture was looking more silverish. I thought gold on the original peach colour would look good.
The pics you've posted of the replica are pretty small and don't allow for a proper comparison. So without the benefit of larger pictures, my feedback:
The kaam in the original is more "3-dimensional" - it is more ghanna and raised and the detailing appears finer. In the replica, from a distance, the kaam on the bottom gives a similar impression. My criticism would be of the work on the bodice - it looks different from the original in terms of both patterning and type of kaam.
Also, the tone of the work in the original is more muted - it appears to be a white gold or a very, very pale yellow gold (not at all the brassy gold look). The replica has mixed colours - both gold and silver and the colours haven't been incorporated together as well.
It's always best to judge a replica based on completed outfit, once the tailoring is done, since the cut and tailoring is just as important.
All of that said, how good a replica this is also depends on the price of the outfit - if it is pretty inexpensive - keep in mind that you then would have paid for cheaper quality embroidery - so the price is also a factor in judging the replica.
I am always wary of ordering replicas based on pics. They almost always disappoint. It's better to order based on an original pre made sample. This applies not just to online ordering but even ordering in person with Kaam wallahs, taking a picture and asking them to exactly replicate and then give them your own set of instructions rarely ends up in perfect results unless its a tried and tested Kaam wallah/vendor. If you really want an exact replica, its best to dish out the dough and order from the original designer.
I think the bottom part and the kaam done is very good, ok maybe not a very good replica but it doesn't look too bad or tacky either. Maybe once it's all stiched up with tailored cuts it'll appeal more to u?
The pics you've posted of the replica are pretty small and don't allow for a proper comparison. So without the benefit of larger pictures, my feedback:
The kaam in the original is more "3-dimensional" - it is more ghanna and raised and the detailing appears finer. In the replica, from a distance, the kaam on the bottom gives a similar impression. My criticism would be of the work on the bodice - it looks different from the original in terms of both patterning and type of kaam.
Also, the tone of the work in the original is more muted - it appears to be a white gold or a very, very pale yellow gold (not at all the brassy gold look). The replica has mixed colours - both gold and silver and the colours haven't been incorporated together as well.
It's always best to judge a replica based on completed outfit, once the tailoring is done, since the cut and tailoring is just as important.
All of that said, how good a replica this is also depends on the price of the outfit - if it is pretty inexpensive - keep in mind that you then would have paid for cheaper quality embroidery - so the price is also a factor in judging the replica.
These are the pictures I received from the designer Sehrysh. I did ask her to play around with shades of gold and omit the silver altogether. And I asked for the regular shade of gold that we see on 22K gold jewelry. I am not sure if she used anything darker though...
The designer wanted to hold off stitching (to minimize costs obviously) till the time I confirm if I am taking the piece or not. And so, I do not have the option of waiting to see the final finished product.
The price was more or less what she asked for...and except for the changes I mentioned in my original post, I did not ask for anything else. So I assumed the price quoted was for the kind of kaam as seen in the original picture. I negotiated the price by 10% but I guess most of us do that.
I am always wary of ordering replicas based on pics. They almost always disappoint. It's better to order based on an original pre made sample. This applies not just to online ordering but even ordering in person with Kaam wallahs, taking a picture and asking them to exactly replicate and then give them your own set of instructions rarely ends up in perfect results unless its a tried and tested Kaam wallah/vendor. If you really want an exact replica, its best to dish out the dough and order from the original designer.
I know...should have asked for a small embroidery sample before I went ahead and placed my order. But the designer has been around on GS for a while and there were no bad/confusing reviews for her.
I just made a replica of this one and sent 2 weeks back. I thought this was definitely about me despite the customer sounding sooooo happy in the email but that kaam was all silver so it’s not me
No, it wasn’t you Is it possible for you to PM some of your pictures please? I dont have much of an idea as to what kind of embroidery is done in the original…
1) Most karigaar's/kaam walay can't replicate the kind of work in the original.
2) The one's that can will charge for it. Even with your adjustments, you've still got a duputta border of 2" wide all around and a lot of work on the dress bottom half which has significant ghair.
Therefore, you'd be looking to pay towards 1lakh (possibly over) for a good replica. I get the feeling you were not quoted in that range. No problem if vendor's are quoting in a lower price bracket but then they should be clear about the kind of kaam that will be done in that price.
There's just too much dabka in the copy which wasn't there in the original. The original work isn't even that silverish. It has off-white, pinky biege and a lot of crystals.
1) Most karigaar's/kaam walay can't replicate the kind of work in the original.
2) The one's that can will charge for it. Even with your adjustments, you've still got a duputta border of 2" wide all around and a lot of work on the dress bottom half which has significant ghair.
Therefore, you'd be looking to pay towards 1lakh (possibly over) for a good replica. I get the feeling you were not quoted in that range. No problem if vendor's are quoting in a lower price bracket but then they should be clear about the kind of kaam that will be done in that price.
There's just too much dabka in the copy which wasn't there in the original. The original work isn't even that silverish. It has off-white, pinky biege and a lot of crystals.
1L was never my budget...if I was ever quoted that much, I would have backed out. Am no bride, I wanted to wear it for my cousin's wedding. I was quoted way less than 1L but I would have appreciated if I was told that the work wont be similar to the original.
but that kaam was all silver so it’s not me 
Is it possible for you to PM some of your pictures please? I dont have much of an idea as to what kind of embroidery is done in the original…