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"Trust the Process"

Process & Policies
By making a payment you agree to the following terms. Read or not.

⚜️ The LaRue Design Co. | Process & Policies

“Trust the Process.”
By making a payment, you formally agree to the following legally binding business terms and conditions.

🎨 1. Creative Freedom & No-Replica Policy

The LaRue Design Co. prides itself on creating unique, handcrafted, custom couture. This brand does not manufacture mass-produced trends or exact clones.

Inspiration Only: Reference photos are welcomed only to help the designer understand your general aesthetic, color preferences, and direction.
The No-Replica Rule: The LaRue Design Co. strictly refuses requests to make exact, stitch-for-stitch copies of another artist's work or a manufactured product.
Artistic Signature: By placing an order, you grant the designer complete creative freedom to apply her own professional technique, vision, and artistic interpretation to your piece [Explicit Memory Claim].
Integrity Adjustments: The designer retains the right to make minor adjustments to materials, proportions, or techniques to improve the structural integrity and originality of the garment.
Right to Refuse: If a client requires a 100% identical clone and does not trust the designer's creative discretion, the order will be formally declined. The LaRue Design Co. recommends seeking the original creator instead.
No Third-Party Orders: The designer must speak and consult directly with the individual who will actually be wearing the custom garment.

📏 2. Measurements, Consultations & Retainers

All booking services below are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.

Measurements ($55 USD)

All orders require up-to-date, precise numerical measurements and three full-body photos (front, back, and side views). Photos must be taken in bare-minimum clothing, in a natural standing state, without shapewear or push-up bras. You can provide your own accurate numbers using our sizing charts, or book an in-person or virtual measurement appointment for $55.

Note: If a client loses or gains weight between measurement and final fitting, an additional fee will be charged for the extra alterations.

Consultations

An in-depth, dedicated layout meeting to review design details, fabric swatches, sketches, or fittings. Consultation fees do not deduct from the final cost of the garment.

Virtual Consultation (30 Mins): $50 USD
In-Person Consultation (Up to 1 Hour): $100 USD

Couture Retainers ($500 USD)

For serious clients who want to immediately lock in their design concept, event date, and price quote.

This option is only available for Prom orders until December 1st.
80% of the retainer amount ($501.60) is deducted directly from your final total.
Fittings will not be scheduled until your remaining balance is paid in full.

🗓️ 3. Seasonal Schedule & Pricing Calendar

Plan your bookings carefully around our strict seasonal timeline and premium rush periods:

🏖️ June 1 – July 6 | ANNUAL VACATION: All production and shipping are completely paused. You may still place orders online, but absolutely nothing will process or ship until late July.
🛑 MONTH OF JUNE: COMPLETELY CLOSED. No new bookings accepted.
👗 June 27: Custom Garment Flat Rate Day ($627 flat for qualifying designs).
👑 October 1: Prom ordering season officially opens.
⏳ December 1: Last day to secure a Prom Retainer.
🚨 January 1: All newly placed prom orders automatically include mandatory Rush Fees.
📈 February – March: Seasonal peak price increase (+$150 to all pieces).
📈 March – April: Seasonal peak price increase (+$250 to all pieces).
📈 April – May: Seasonal peak price increase (+$350 to all pieces).

🧵 4. Production Turnaround Times

Standard production timelines vary by complexity. Orders are completed by the date they are needed (your event date), not by the order in which they were received.

⏳ 2–10 Business Days: Alterations (not requiring additional materials)
⏳ 2–8+ Weeks: Sewn and/or heavily embellished designs
⏳ 4–8+ Weeks: Bulk Orders
⏳ 4+ Months: Custom suits and standard dresses
⏳ 10+ Months: Custom Bridal Gowns

⚡ 5. Priority Pass (Rush Orders)

If your timeline falls short of standard production speeds, you must purchase a Priority Pass. If a Priority Pass is required and not paid, your deadline date is not guaranteed. Fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and calculated by business days.

For Orders Totaling $450 or More (Percentage Based):

30 Business Days Out: +15% of total order cost
25 Business Days Out: +25% of total order cost
15 Business Days Out: +30% of total order cost
10 Business Days Out: +50% of total order cost
5 Business Days Out: +100% of total order cost

For Orders Under $450:

A flat rush fee of $60 to $100 applies.
Note: The Priority Pass applies to any orders due within 6 weeks, as well as orders that carry a remaining unpaid balance.

💳 6. Invoices & Payment Terms

Immediate Action: Only request a formal invoice when you are completely ready and able to pay it immediately. Non-payment results in instant cancellation, and the designer may permanently refuse future service.
Late Fees & Delay Fees: If your invoice has a structured payment schedule, payments must land exactly on the agreed dates. Missing a date triggers a $50 Design Delay Fee every 20 days, and all work on your garment is paused.
Non-Refundable Policy: If at any point you fail to complete your full payment plan, all previous payments made are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable, and your order is permanently cancelled.
Accepted Methods: All major Credit & Debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and financing via Klarna, Affirm, and AfterPay.
30-Day Pay Plan: Available only for premium orders where the total cost exceeds $800 and there is a minimum of 4 months of production time before the event date.

📅 7. Order Accuracy & Fitting Realities

Review Closely: Check your order invoice for absolute accuracy before paying. If a detail is NOT explicitly written on your order, it will NOT be on your item.
Post-Payment Changes: Any changes requested to your design, details, or sizing after payment has been processed will result in extra fees.
Timeline Flexibility: True custom work takes time. Delays in fabric shipping or discontinued materials can occur. The longer you wait to pay and finalize details, the less production time is available, making material substitutions more likely.
Individual Fit: Designs look different on everyone. Your unique body type, height, shape, posture, and personal style give a garment its final look. Be honest and mindful of your body, and be fully transparent with your designer so she can make you look and feel your absolute best [Explicit Memory Claim].

🪡 8. Custom Fittings

Fittings are mandatory for all custom dresses and suits.

Payment Requirement: You will not have an appointment scheduled or a fitting conducted until your garment balance is paid in full.
Timeline: Final fittings are scheduled within 6 weeks prior to wear for out-of-region clients, and within 2 weeks prior to wear for local clients. Timeframes vary and may come very close to your event date.
Preparation: Please arrive to your fitting wearing the exact undergarments, shapewear, and shoes you plan to wear with the final garment.
Fluctuation: If your garment is too small or too big due to weight gain or weight loss, you will be charged an additional fee for alterations.
Media Release: You agree that the designer may take photos and video footage of your fitting sessions for future marketing and promotional materials. Please be completely honest with your feedback during these sessions.

✈️ Out-of-Region Clients:

If you are outside the local region and require alterations after purchasing your suit or dress, The LaRue Design Co. provides a streamlined remote process:

You will receive an alteration order form to print and complete, a USPS shipping label, a marking pen, and pins.
A video chat is mandatory to guide you through marking the garment accurately.
You will ship the garment back to the studio via USPS at no charge to you.
Once received, our team will communicate with you, complete the adjustments, and ship it back via USPS.

✂️ 9. General Alterations & Tailoring

Approved Items Only: Alteration services are only offered on pre-approved clothing pieces. The LaRue Design Co. chooses NOT to fix, alter, or repair custom-made clothing designed by anyone else.
Pre-Appointment Requirement: You MUST send a photo of yourself trying on the garment before your appointment is officially confirmed.
Appointment Rules: Please arrive freshly groomed and prepared to change in and out of your clothing. Please allow up to 2 hours of availability to wait with the designer, as minor requests may be completed during your appointment slot.
Faja & Corset Services: It is significantly easier if you arrive already wearing the shapewear/garment.
Dresses & Suits: You must bring your planned shoes and undergarments to the appointment.

💬 10. Inquiries & Communication Guidelines

To maintain accurate project records and manage your requests effectively, a strict communication policy is enforced. The LaRue Design Co. does not rely on memory; everything must have a digital paper trail.

Approved Channels: All inquiries and order status updates must go through our Website Chat Box, email (contact@thelarue.com), or text (323-90-LaRue) [Explicit Memory Claim].
Social Media & Phone Calls: This brand does NOT answer voice calls via Facebook Messenger, nor will calls be returned based on social media requests. Phone calls leave no written record in the system; therefore, they are not used for design references.
No Phone Pricing: Accurate pricing cannot be given over the phone. The designer must visually assess the garment or inspiration. Please submit photographs or detailed descriptions through our website, email, or text for a precise quote.
Status Updates: Order updates are sent exclusively via EMAIL, never through social media. Please use the on-site website chat box to check your order status.
Private Studio Etiquette: Client meetings and fittings are held by private appointment at my residence, which serves as my business office as well [Explicit Memory Claim]. To respect the private nature of my home, the address will be provided only after your appointment is confirmed [Explicit Memory Claim]. Clients are kindly requested to remove their shoes upon entry to maintain a clean, professional, and hygienic design environment [Explicit Memory Claim].

🧼 11. Care & Maintenance Instructions

Custom couture pieces are incredibly delicate and meant for elegance. Handle and move in them with caution. Be highly mindful of long nails and jewelry snagging or ripping the fabric.

Standard Garments: Dry clean only, or hand wash gently in cold water. Always air dry.
Strict Prohibitions: DO NOT machine wash, machine dry, or use hot water. This will cause immediate and irreversible damage.
Tutu Care: Never iron or machine dry a tutu. To remove wrinkles, use warm water or steam and hang to de-wrinkle naturally while air drying.

📦 12. Shipping, Local Delivery & Abandonment

All physical items originate and ship out of Buffalo, NY [Explicit Memory Claim]. Please note that shipping transit time is separate from, and not included in, design production time.

USPS Domestic Standard: $12 (2–3 Day Delivery)
Overnight Express: $33+ (1–2 Day Delivery)
USPS International Standard: $80 (6–10 Business Days)
Local Orders: Local orders are physically delivered, not shipped. Packages will be left safely near your door. The LaRue Design Co. is not liable for packages that are stolen, lost, or damaged by weather once delivered to the doorstep.
Local Pickup: Handled on a case-by-case basis per client situation.
Strict Abandonment Rule: You have 7 days to pick up your garment, including the initial pickup date. On the 8th day, your garment is formally considered abandoned, and you forfeit ownership.

💃 13. Dress Rentals

A premium service offering clients a tailored dress made to their exact measurements and style preferences without purchasing the item permanently.

Designer Discretion: This service is subject to strict approval; not all custom designs qualify for the rental program.
Rental Timeline: The dress is picked up the day before your event and must be returned the day after.
Security Deposit: Upon return, the garment is meticulously inspected. Once cleared of damage, your +$600 security deposit is fully refunded.
Pre-Made Rentals: Existing, pre-custom-made inventory is available to rent for $350 (plus an additional $150 if temporary alterations are required).

📸 14. Promotional Media Release

By purchasing from us, you agree that The LaRue Design Co. retains the right to use any photograph and/or video footage featuring our custom work for future promotional advertisements, portfolios, and social media marketing.

Your image will never be used in a negative or malicious context.
There is no monetary compensation provided to you for the use of these marketing images.

🛑 15. Refunds, Returns & Cancellations

All Sales Are Final: Once an order is placed and payment is received, there are absolutely no design changes, cancellations, or modifications permitted.
Immediate Inspection: You must observe and try on your item immediately upon delivery. Adjustments, returns, or repairs are only considered prior to wear. Once the item has been worn to an event, you forfeit all options.
Opportunity to Correct: If you are dissatisfied with the fit or execution, the designer must be given a fair opportunity to correct the garment to your satisfaction.
Strict 24-Hour Rule (Shipping Clients): Delivery and shipping clients must communicate any and all concerns within 24 hours of receiving or fitting the order, or you forfeit any option for a solution.
The "Leave-With-It" Forfeiture: If you attend an in-person fitting and choose to leave the studio with your order in hand, you permanently forfeit the option for any future changes, adjustments, or repairs.
Partial Refund Grace Clause: In rare, approved cases where a partial refund is issued, The LaRue Design Co. retains a 40% non-refundable fee to cover materials and labor hours. You will receive 60% of the item cost, not the overall total invoice amount. Shipping fees, rush fees, measurements, consultations, and retainers are completely non-refundable.
Post-Studio Damage: The LaRue Design Co. is not responsible for any damage that occurs to the garment after wear, cleaning, handling, or client storage.

⚖️ 16. Legal Assurances, NDA & Non-Defamation

Non-Disclosure (NDA): You agree to keep all custom design sketches, proprietary techniques, pricing structures, and private business communications shared during this process strictly confidential. These details may not be shared with third parties or other designers without explicit written consent.
Non-Defamation Clause: You agree to act in good faith and will not, directly or indirectly, make, publish, or ratify any false, disparaging, or defamatory comments regarding the designer, the brand, or the custom process. This legally includes online reviews, social media posts, or public forums.
Breach Consequences: If this non-defamation clause is breached, the client completely forfeits any option for a design solution, refund, or adjustment. The company reserves the right to immediately refuse service and retain your payment as compensation for emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of future business goodwill.
Liability Waiver: You waive any and all liability against the designer for physical injuries or allergic reactions related to materials.
Child Safety: Be extremely cautious around infants and toddlers. Keep delicate custom materials, beads, embellishments, and textiles out of children's mouths, noses, eyes, and ears.

🖋️ Formal Acknowledgment

By proceeding with your invoice payment, you formally acknowledge, accept, and sign your agreement to these terms. This renders your custom order active and fully subject to the standard policies of The LaRue Design Co. [Explicit Memory Claim].

Thank you for choosing The LaRue Design Co. We look forward to bringing your unique custom vision to life!

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