Thread: Bella Custom Ordering Process

Hi Everyone,

In the next few days, I will be ordering my very first Bella costume (whoo-hoo)! Without a doubt, I am sure there is a thread on here discussing this very topic – but, for some reason, I can’t see to pull up anything and I need some insight – quickly!

For those of you that had custom ordered a Bella costume in the past, I just want to get a feel of how your shopping experience transpired. Here are my questions below:

After you selected the style and color of your costume on-line, how long did it take for you to receive your custom order?

As far as the money transaction side of it, did you wire the funds right after you ordered online or did you wire the funds once Bella notified you that your custom order was ready for shipment?

Did you have any problems with communicating your order to Bella? For instance, there is a particular style that I am going to choose on her website, but I want to make a slight change in terms of the accessories that comes with it. For example, I would like arm cuffs instead of full gauntlets. Did Bella work with you on requests like this or not?

Any information you can share with me would be greatly appreciated. I completely understand that with most custom orders there can be some glitches in the process – so I am not expecting perfection. I just want to get an idea of how this whole process works since I can’t visit Bella’s studio in person.

Thanks!

If you know the total cost, you can wire the money to the bank information on her website. Or, she will send you an email either at your request or when it's ready.

Bella will work with you on anything. Changes to arm thingies are no problem, slight modifications to costumes are no problem, inclluding more or less cutouts, more or less rhinestones, beading and fringe.

I've ordered 3 custom costumes, and I've never been disappointed.

Bella custom orders are the easiest I've done! I recommend using photos whenever possible - both of the costume and of the accessories you like and write clear descriptions of what you'd like. I've always gotten exactly what I asked for (although I've never been super specific and left most of the creative design up to her - I only specify color and bra/skirt style, i.e. mermaid, full chiffon or cut-outs on the bra).
She emails and requests payment once the order is ready and ships as soon as payment clears her bank.
Generally, expect 6 weeks turnaround.

Yay!! You will not be dissapointed! But be warned once you go custom or der from Bella its a SERIOUS addiction!! :)

Theres several Bella threads on this forum. If you search Bella a heap will come up. Ive ordered several and have never been dissapointed!

Thanks everybody for sharing your Bella shopping experience with me!!!! I will definitely make time to browse through all the Bella threads on Bhuz and see what others have shared.

Thanks again!

I am going to order one soon i have always bought used. when you order how long until it is done and is there any money up front. thanks for helping me with my addiction T.

Originally Posted by Nadirah007

I am going to order one soon i have always bought used. when you order how long until it is done and is there any money up front. thanks for helping me with my addiction T.

..l;, Sorry, Nadirah! I am becoming a little addict myself! Get this, I am back working full-time again in an office. I should be working, but no, I am logged on this site with my eyes glued to the screen! Is that crazy or what? ..l;,

I actually got an email back from Bella the other day and she said I can send full payment when the order is ready. I was quite surprised by that answer because I thought most designers/vendors want some sort of deposit up front. If this is true, then I think that's wonderful. I guess if a customer decides to not follow through with their purchase, she can still sell the costume with no problems at all??? I don't know. That's just my assumption....

I am so thrilled to hear that you are DANCING AGAIN! You are truly an inspiration to me!!!

the first time i ordered i paid up front. all the rest i have paid once the costumes are done. time has varied from 5 weeks to 9 weeks...

I keep trying for a password. Apparently, they have it set up for me, because they show that my email address is used, but they never sent the password to me. So every now and then I email them about it.

I guess I just need to be happy gettin cast offs from the shimmy twins (my BDDs)...
:)

Originally Posted by Andalee914

..l;, Sorry, Nadirah! I am becoming a little addict myself! Get this, I am back working full-time again in an office. I should be working, but no, I am logged on this site with my eyes glued to the screen! Is that crazy or what? ..l;,

I actually got an email back from Bella the other day and she said I can send full payment when the order is ready. I was quite surprised by that answer because I thought most designers/vendors want some sort of deposit up front. If this is true, then I think that's wonderful. I guess if a customer decides to not follow through with their purchase, she can still sell the costume with no problems at all??? I don't know. That's just my assumption....

I am so thrilled to hear that you are DANCING AGAIN! You are truly an inspiration to me!!!

working is good but bad when all the money goes to costumes..c::. Hopefully i'll see you in sat class. I get to be in the troup part of the show in March . I am really excited!

how do i trasfer the money to bellas account?

she will email you the information when your costume is done. her bank info just changed, so it is nice that she always sends the information each time.

OK, I've only ordered once, and now I'm back for more. But what does it mean if you ask for a quote and don't hear anything back? Does this mean she didn't get your e-mail? Or does this mean brace yourself and pay up in 6 weeks? LOL

I've heard this is relatively common, but I don't know if I should follow up.

All of a sudden, I'm remembering my first trip to Starbucks: "What do you MEAN by 'tall'? I ordered a small!" ..l;,.w.:..l;,

If you don't hear back it usually means she's making it and you're gonna have to pay in 6 weeks.

I've heard from other dancers that the less specific you are, the more satisfied you will be because bella sometimes just does what she wants. Or, you should have pictures. A friend of mine asked for a dip on the side, rather than the front, but got one in the front.
Oh well!
I'm so excited to go to the shop in a couple months.....!

Originally Posted by shimmytwin

I've heard from other dancers that the less specific you are, the more satisfied you will be because bella sometimes just does what she wants.

Ooooh, then that means I'll love this one, because I don't think I could have been more vague if I tried! ..l;,..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Ooooh, then that means I'll love this one, because I don't think I could have been more vague if I tried! ..l;,..l;,..l;,

Vague is the best! I have always been happy with my vague requests! She is an artist!

So how do give measurements for the bra? I am wanting to order one but want to be sure it will fit me... do you give inside cup measurements or just a generic "36C" size to her?

Originally Posted by jewelsdances

So how do give measurements for the bra? I am wanting to order one but want to be sure it will fit me... do you give inside cup measurements or just a generic "36C" size to her?

The first time I ordered from her, I asked for an A cup and got something that looked more like a B or small C. This time around, I gave specific measurements....so we'll see if that helps ,r:;

ooooh I just got a bella password! So prices on her website, are they approximately what she charges with a costume order? I mean, if you say I want the X costume but in blue with gold to these measurements and the price is 350 euros listed, that is usually what you can bank on?

Or if you give her a vague request, how does her pricing work?

I don't know how the prices of the styles on her site work - I'd presume that what is listed is what you pay, unless you want modifications, which will change the price depending on what you ask for. With a vague request, ask her for a quote and she will let you know. I used pics for my order for one costume, with the other, I have let her have more free reign! I'm eager to see what comes back - they should be ready in 3/4 weeks now!

I think that if you order the ones on the site with no modifications other than color, you pay the listed price.

I know some people have ordered through her catalog and been very happy with them.

I've sent Bella an email for my second order and she hasn't replied - it's been nearly a week. The first time I emailed her she answered me right away and she even emailed me after I sent her a thank you message after I recieved my costume.

I didn't ask her for a quote or anything, just told her what I wanted so can I just assume that the costume is in the works and she'll just email me when she's finished? I also asked her if she can finish it in time for a show next month.

Thoughts? Or have I fallen out of her grace? ..l;,

Originally Posted by marsbar

Thoughts? Or have I fallen out of her grace? ..l;,

I'm wondering the same thing. The first time I e-mailed her, I got a response within a week ,r:;

so did those that didn't get a response, did you get your costume? I asked for a custom costume, gave her my measurements and a price range in my email to her, but haven't heard back. It has been over a week.

Hi all, I also custom order my bella already and i'm waiting to hear from for her. I gave her datials and send a photo of what I want, i'm exited! I've a bella that I bought from one of the buzzer except that this will be my first time ordering from bella.

i just ordered one too! im excited!!!

Originally Posted by arabicdancer

Hi all, I also custom order my bella already and i'm waiting to hear from for her. I gave her datials and send a photo of what I want, i'm exited! I've a bella that I bought from one of the buzzer except that this will be my first time ordering from bella.

yay! When did you order?

Well I ordered my first Bella about 2 weeks ago from one of the web pages on her site, but different colors. I have not paid yet, I have not received a msg from her with instructions. I emailed her right after my order to let her know of a detail I wanted on the skirt and I have not heard anything yet. Should I email again or should I leave it alone. Is she working on the costume and should expect a bill in 1-2 months?