Party Dress — handmade occasion wear by Susan Kistner for Bright Hopes Art

Party Dress

Type: Occasion wear Made: Handmade Category: Women’s clothing
£220 inc. UK delivery

This is a dress that holds the room without trying. Made entirely by hand in Susan’s Lincolnshire studio, it begins as a sketch — a silhouette drawn in conversation with fabric, not against it. The construction follows a slow, considered process: pattern-cutting by hand, fitting adjusted for wearability and movement, finished with the kind of internal detailing that most people will never see but will always feel.

The result is a garment that sits differently to anything bought from a rail. It has weight, structure, and a quality of presence. You wear it; it doesn’t wear you. Enquire for available fabric colourways and made-to-measure sizing.

About this piece

TypeHandmade occasion wear
Made bySusan Kistner, Lincolnshire
ProductionSmall-batch — limited availability
MaterialsPlease enquire for current fabric options
SizingMade-to-measure available — contact to discuss
EthicsSustainably sourced, zero-waste construction

Purchase this piece

Secure payment via PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account — card payments accepted at checkout.

Want a custom commission or made-to-measure? Get in touch.

Each piece is carefully folded in acid-free tissue, placed in a rigid postal box, and shipped via Royal Mail Tracked 48. You’ll receive a tracking number by email once dispatched. Delivery within 3–5 working days across the UK.

Yes — Susan takes commissions for made-to-measure pieces. Contact her with your measurements and requirements and she’ll let you know current lead times and availability.

Returns accepted within 14 days if the item is not as described or arrives damaged. Contact Susan within 48 hours of receipt with photographs and she will arrange a full refund. Made-to-measure commissions are non-refundable once production has begun.