Hi, my name is Stella Richards. I'm a Nottinghamshire based fashion designer and dressmaker. I have my own workshop at home.
I started my dressmaking journey learning from my mother and grandmother. My mother taught me everything from corsetry to costumes from 1400. My grandmother used to work for Courtaulds, a major British textile company founded in 1794. They manufactured clothes, she worked with the industrial sewing machines.
Some of my sewing skills include tailored shirts, a ballgown finished with applique and French seams. I finish all my work by hand, even if I use a sewing machine for long seams. I don't use an overlocker as is the general machinery in a large clothing factory. I keep to true Couture sewing techniques. I pin everything by hand. I make shoulder straps adjustable and sew buttons and button holes by hand.
I design and sew fashions for my website Holder Boutique in my days off work. They're all made-to-measure, a passion I've had since childhood. I also research and make costume replicas from TV, films, music videos and celebrities fashions, carrying on my family project The Costume Portal which started over 20 years ago.
I take your measurements through online form and draft a pattern to fit you. I've had many customers praising my work and my customer service. I keep in touch with you, updating and answering any questions you have until the piece is in your hands. Please take a look at what some of my customers have said.
See my reviews on Trustpilot
See my previous work here in the Project Gallery
I ship all my items myself, worldwide, and I don't charge extra for it. All shipping costs are included in the item price.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me!
Stella Richards, fashion designer, dressmaker, founder and owner of Holder Boutique.
About Holder Jewellery
The jewellery on my website is designed and made by an independent jeweller based in New York. Their jewellery is simply stunning. I bought some cute sterling silver hoop earrings from them a few years back, and I wore them everywhere.
If you wish to contact Holder Boutique please email Info@holdercouture.com
The legal bits:
I am a sole trader and I run my website Holder Boutique entirely by myself
I use a mail forwarder as business address as I live in a rented house.
I have a legally registered paid dropship account with a NY jewellery wholesaler
I have bought items from the supplier for myself to confirm they are legit.
Brands I own and have resale rights: Holder Jewellery
Brands I manufacture myself: Holder Couture, and formerly, The Costume Portal.
I have many happy customers, and 20+ years fitting and sewing experience. There are positive reviews on the homepage of this website, they've been kept from previous customers emails.
As a last note, you may be asking why my name is Stella Richards but my business is called Holder, Holder was my Father's name. There you have it, a unique business with a unique family pride behind it. Happy browsing!
