✂️ FAQ / International Clients (English)

Q: Who are you?

A: I'm Annah, an EGL fashion designer and artisan seamstress from the vibrant urban sprawl of São Paulo, Brazil! I design and sew made-to-order and ready-to-ship dresses using my own self-drafted patterns and carefully sourced, local fabrics.

I founded my atelier in 2014 and have worked nearly non-stop since then to create whimsical, bespoke dresses for my community. For a decade, my friend Amy was my partner in this creative endeavor until she departed to become a sewing and pattern-making tutor. We developed many of our foundational patterns and older designs, like the Titania OP, together.

For now, my Made-to-Order schedule is temporarily closed as I focus on developing new, ready-to-ship capsule collections. These collections will be available internationally, so my global friends can finally own a piece of my work! 

Q: How can I contact you? 

A: For all inquiries and to start the order process, please contact me via Instagram Direct Message (Preferred) or Email. You can find all these links in one place on my Linktree. 

Q: How do I purchase a dress? Do you have an online store?  

A: I operate as a boutique, direct-to-client business. I do not have a traditional online storefront. 

All orders and inquiries are handled personally by me via email or Instagram Direct Message. Once details are finalized, I will provide a secure payment link for you to complete your order.

Q: Who's sewing the dresses? Do you hire any third parties?

A: I am the sole seamstress and designer behind every piece. I do not hire any third parties or outsource any work.

This is a one-person indie business, run from my home studio. I consciously choose to keep it this way to fully embody the slow fashion ethos and to ensure that every dress is an expression of my personal vision for EGL fashion.

Q: Can I order a custom Made-to-Order dress if I live outside Brazil?

A: To ensure the best experience and a perfect fit, my made-to-order service is currently available only for clients in Brazil. For my international friends, I will offer exclusive Ready-to-Ship capsule collections. These are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces made in a range of different sizes, detailed in each listing, ready to be sent to their new home anywhere in the world. This allows me to guarantee the quality and presentation of each piece that travels internationally.

Q: Do you ship to my country?

A: Most likely, yes! To my knowledge, Brazil's postal service is not imposing any shipping blockades, and I am glad to serve customers from around the world.

Please note: International buyers are responsible for any customs duties, taxes, or import fees levied by their country.

Q: What shipping methods can you use? How long does it take to arrive? How much it costs?

A: For international shipments, I primarily use standard tracked airmail via Brazil's national postal service (Correios).

• Typical Delivery Window: Packages generally take 2 to 6 weeks to arrive. Delivery times depend on the destination country's customs processing and local postal service, with 4-6 weeks being a common timeframe for many international destinations.

• Shipping Cost: Shipping is calculated individually based on the destination and package weight. Please send me a message via Instagram DM or email with your ZIP/Postal Code so I can provide an accurate quote for your order.

• Important Recommendation: For the safest transit, I strongly recommend adding postal insurance to the shipping quote. I always declare packages with their full value, which helps ensure a smoother customs process and protects your investment.

Q: How can I pay for my purchase?

A: For international clients, I accept payments via a PayPal invoice. For clients with a Brazilian bank account, Pix is also available. 

Please note: All transactions are processed securely through these platforms. Any currency conversion or transaction fees are the responsibility of the buyer, as determined by their bank or payment service. 

Q: What is the typical timeline for a custom (MTO) order?

A: The production time for a custom order varies significantly based on my current queue and the project's complexity. To give a general idea: a detailed headdress may take a few days, but a complex dress, such as a Hime-style gown with extensive lace and ruffles, can take several weeks of dedicated work.

If I exceptionally open a slot for a custom order, I will provide a personalized and realistic completion timeline before we begin, based on these factors.

Q: What unit of measurements do you use?

A: I use the metric system and provide all measurements in centimeters (cm), the same standard used by most Asian and European EGL brands.

Q: Can you make plus-size clothing?

A: Absolutely. In fact, many of my customers are plus-size lolitas seeking bespoke dresses that fit and flatter beautifully.

Q: What sizes will the ready-to-ship items be available in?

 A: These will be one-of-a-kind pieces from themed capsule collections. I plan to construct many of them using fully shirred patterns, which are designed to accommodate a wider range of sizes comfortably.  

Q: Can I visit your shop during my vacations in Brazil?

A: My atelier is a private, home-based studio and is not open for public visits or fittings.

If you are visiting São Paulo and would like to connect with the local EGL community, I highly recommend following Le Frufru News on Instagram for updates on public meet-ups and events.

Q: What languages do you speak?

A: I am fluent in Portuguese and English. If you write to me in Spanish, I can generally understand it well, though I may reply in English or Portuguese for clarity.

Q: What types of commissions or items do you not create?

A: My atelier is exclusively dedicated to Elegant Gothic Lolita fashion, a style I deeply love and actively participate in. 

Therefore, I do not accept commissions for: 

Other fashion styles or regular, non-alternative clothing; cocktail, evening, or formal gowns outside the EGL aesthetic; historical / period costume (though I can recommend talented local artisans for this); Cosplay; Fetish wear or adult/NSFW items: my atelier strictly creates all-ages appropriate fashion. Solicitations for such projects will not be acknowledged. Finally, direct 1:1 replicas ("knock-offs") of copyrighted designs from other brands or creators. (While I create original designs, my work is rooted in the classic silhouettes and staples of EGL fashion.)

Q: Can you create an exclusive fabric print for me?

A: I do not offer custom fabric printing as a standalone service. Creating an exclusive print requires extensive textile research and commissioning a specialized artist, which is a significant undertaking.

However, I do have exciting news: I am currently developing my first original exclusive print in partnership with a local artist for a future collection!

In the meantime, a great alternative is Bring Your Own Fabric! If you source your own original print fabric, I would be delighted to create a custom dress from it, provided the material is suitable for the EGL style and construction.

Q: When will you reply to my inquiry?

A: My business hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM (GMT-3), and Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM (GMT-3).

As a one-person operation, I handle all customer service, creative, operational, and logistical tasks myself. While this means I may not always be available for an instant reply, I strive to answer all inquiries as soon as possible during my working hours.

Thank you for your patience and understanding

Q: Will you ship my order in a plastic envelope?

A: I avoid plastic packaging whenever possible. Many of my dresses are too voluminous to be safely shipped in a plastic envelope. I have a few remaining plastic envelopes and I don't plan to replenish once I run out.

Your order will be carefully packed in a sturdy tailor's cardboard box. Inside, the dress itself will be wrapped in TNT (non-woven fabric) or craft paper to protect it during its journey. This way, we help the environment (the sea turtles thank you!), and if you have a cat, you'll get a bonus play-box!

Q: Where can I see your available creations and new collections?

A: All my current and upcoming ready-to-ship capsule collections, along with my portfolio, are showcased on my Instagram. It's the best place to see the details, themes, and story behind each piece. For any questions not covered here, my DMs are always open! I also left the comment section open, so you can leave here any other question or observation. 

Thank you for your interest in my atelier. Each piece is made with care, and I hope one finds its way to your wardrobe.

--Annah