Commissioning a custom garment from a tailor
Brief, quote, advance, fitting, delivery and review — the full custom-order workflow, end to end.
Custom orders on SA Fashion Mall connect you directly with an approved South African tailor for a made-to-measure piece. Every step is escrow-protected, and you never pay more than the price you agree to on the quote.
1. Pick a tailor
Browse /tailors — every tailor has a public profile with their portfolio, average rating from verified custom orders, base location and their specialties (e.g. bespoke suiting, isishweshwe two-pieces, wedding gowns). Tap 'Request a custom garment' to start a brief.
2. Send a brief
A brief is at least 10 characters describing the garment (silhouette, occasion, fabric preferences, deadline). You add: measurements the tailor's form requests, delivery address, and an optional budget hint. No payment yet — this step is entirely free.
3. Receive a quote
The tailor responds with a quote (in ZAR), an optional materials advance percentage (0–40%), and any tailor notes about fabric sourcing or turnaround. You can accept, decline (closes the commission), or negotiate in the order chat.
4. Accept and pay
Accepting the quote takes you to our secure checkout for the full quote amount. On successful payment, the materials advance (if any) releases immediately to the tailor; the remainder holds in escrow.
5. Work in progress
The tailor cuts, sews and finishes the garment on their announced lead time (usually 7–21 business days depending on complexity). They can post progress photos to the order chat; you can ask questions and provide clarifications.
6. Ship, deliver, review
- Tailor uploads tracking → you get notified.
- Parcel arrives → you inspect → tap 'Confirm delivery'.
- Final escrow releases (minus the 15% platform commission).
- You can leave a rating and note that lives on the tailor's public profile forever.
Cancelling during the process
- Before the tailor accepts your brief → cancel freely from the order page; no money has moved.
- After the tailor sends a quote → decline the quote; still no money moved.
- After you've accepted and paid, BUT the tailor hasn't cut material yet → you may still cancel, but the tailor may retain documented out-of-pocket costs already incurred (e.g. courier collection of fabric samples, a bespoke pattern draft). The remainder refunds.
- After material has been cut / work is underway → NOT unilaterally cancellable. Options are (a) mutual agreement with the tailor in the order chat, or (b) opening a dispute if you believe the tailor has failed the agreed brief. SA Fashion Mall reviews the evidence from both sides and decides on the merits.
- At ANY stage, if the tailor fails to deliver, abandons the order, or the finished garment materially deviates from the agreed brief → you're entitled to cancel with a refund. Open a dispute.