We were honored to be featured in a recent Vogue Weddings article, where our president, Jonathan Scheer, had the opportunity to share our passion for textile conservation. It allowed us to explain why we treat every wedding gown not just as a dress, but as a treasured keepsake that holds the memories of one of life’s most significant moments.
For those who missed the feature or wish to understand our philosophy directly, we wanted to share the principles that guide our work.
You can read the full, original article here: A Complete Guide to Wedding Dress Preservation in Vogue Weddings
Why We Believe Preservation Is an Essential Investment
Is it worth it to preserve your wedding dress? We believe the answer is a resounding yes. Without proper, professional care, your delicate garment is at risk of irreversible damage. Stains from your wedding day can oxidize and set, causing permanent discoloration. Over time, fabrics can yellow, lose their shape, or become vulnerable to mold, mildew, and pests.
Our approach is designed to provide safe, long-term care that allows your gown to age gracefully within your own home. More importantly, our preservation method allows you to periodically inspect and admire your gown for years to come, keeping the memories alive.
Understanding the Cost of True Conservation
The cost of wedding gown preservation can vary, but our pricing reflects the high level of care, customization, and conservation science that goes into protecting your gown. While our services typically range from $895 to over $2,000, the final estimate is determined only after we evaluate the level of staining, the gown’s unique construction and materials, and the complexity of any repairs needed. This isn’t just a service; it’s an investment in a piece of your personal history.
Why Simple Dry Cleaning Is Not Enough
Many people assume that once a gown is cleaned, hanging it in a garment bag is sufficient. Unfortunately, this can do more harm than good. When a gown hangs, gravity takes a toll, straining the fabric and distorting its shape. A standard plastic garment bag can trap moisture, creating a microenvironment where mold and mildew thrive. Worse, those plastics can off-gas as they break down, releasing chemicals that cause the very yellowing and deterioration you want to avoid.
While professional cleaning is the essential first step, proper archival storage is equally critical. Our preservation process addresses both.
Our Meticulous Preservation Process
Every gown that comes to us undergoes a thorough, detailed process. We determine the ideal treatment based on fiber type, construction, embellishments, and the level of soiling.
First, areas of staining and soil are reduced by hand with our proprietary solvents. The gown is then cleaned through immersion in a nonaqueous organic solvent or an aqueous solution. Once the treatment is complete, we finish any necessary repairs and conduct a final assessment.
We then wrap and pad the gown with acid-free tissue and place it in an archival-quality storage box made from fluted polypropylene—a chemically inert material that offers superior protection against moisture and temperature fluctuations. This ensures a stable environment for your gown. This meticulous process takes time, typically between 10 and 16 weeks, because we refuse to rush what is meant to last a lifetime.
How Long Does It Last? Your Role in the Legacy
You, our client, play an essential role in the preservation process. If our storage guidelines are properly followed, your gown will be safely preserved and remain suitable for wear for two to three generations.
We implore you to store the archival box away from light in a controlled climate with a temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 to 60 percent relative humidity. For this reason, basements and attics are the worst places for your dress. Find a secure, stable place for this beautiful piece of your history to live, and it will be there whenever you want to revisit that special day.
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