About the Couture Hand

The Couture Hand specializes in offering custom clothing services for those with discerning tastes, who desire garments that are well constructed, well fitted and distinctly their own. Garments are custom created in our studio located near Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Our services are available to customers in the metropolitan NY, NJ, and PA area and are by appointment only.

If time is of the essence a custom garment is not for you. It takes approximately three to eight weeks for completion and delivery of a career-wear garment depending on style and fabric selection. Wedding gowns will require a longer delivery time. Quick manufacturing techniques are very rarely used in the construction of our garments and thus require more time and attention to details.

There is a consultation fee due at the first appointment that will be credited toward the order if project is accepted. Consultations help to choose the right design style, the best color, and good fabric choices. The Couture Hand™ can make fabric purchases for a fee which will be added to the client's invoice.

If you have a strong desire for personal, one-on-one attention, quality workmanship, and "your own special garment", The Couture Hand™ is at your service. References will be supplied upon request.

Vandarra Robbins, owner of The Couture Hand has been creating custom garments for private clients for over twenty years, specializing in women's career wear, special occasion and home décor. Her clients appreciate her love of fabrics and how that love helps her to see and create simple yet elegant, quality garments. Her workmanship meets and surpasses the quality standards set by the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers (PACC).

She has worked for The McCall Pattern Company as their resident sewing expert "Meg Carter" and as The Creative Director for HTC, Inc. (formerly Handler Textiles) and Precision Custom Coatings.

In 2001, Vandarra won 1st place for construction and design in the Bustier Contest sponsored by The New Jersey PACC chapter and judged by professors from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

In addition to creating elegant garments, Vandarra writes for national sewing magazines and conducts seminars and sewing classes throughout the United States on all aspects of sewing and the business of sewing.

For more information and/or to schedule an appointment, please contact us.
The Couture Hand (973)673-3396 info@thecouturehand.com