Thread: Dahlal or Audrena's??????

Im after a bit of advice-since seeing the Pharaonics Dripping in Diamonds costume that was for sale here on BHUZ not long ago I have decided to order on for myself. I have noticed that on Dahlals website it is slightly different than Audrenas-I prefer the sleeve style on the Dahlal site-Im not sure who I should go with in terms of better service and delivery times. I prefer the style of the costume that is on Dahlal but can Audrena do it the same way???

I find it very confusion that the same designer of the costumes are named differently on 2 websites ..c::..c::

Any advice would be great ladies. Thanks

The style of the costume is the same either way. Most likely it comes with both sleeves and arm bands, they were just modeled wearing one or the other.
I always order from Audrena, but that is a your personal choice.

They're both good vendors. I guess go with what ever is the cheapest one. There is no difference between the vendors regarding time of delivery, that depends on Amira, the designer herself. Regardless the vendor, you are looking at 6-9 months from order. Whoever you order from, make sure you know what you are getting for the price you pay in regards to the amount of accessories that come with the costume. I ordered a costume from Audrena and asked for one of those hard hair bands as opposed to the fabric kind and I got both - the price did not change for the costume... luckily.

I'd try Audrena's first.

I placed a custom order for an Eman through Dahlal in early February of this year and the darned thing still isn't ready. Granted, it sounds like this could be an issue with Eman, maybe not just Dahlal (Shaunte, care to confirm?). Still, I'm hearing too many horror stories about costumes from Dahlal taking a year or longer to produce. It's really too bad our options are so limited.

Should be interesting to hear what everyone else has to say about Audrena's, because I'm curious, too.

I can tell you Audrena does a very good job of trying to take care of her customers despite the designers taking forever to complete a costume. Satin, I can tell you I ordered a costume from Shaunte (who must be pissed because I send her emails almost every two weeks requesting status of my costume) Eman is taking FOREVER to finish. I ordered my costume in Nov. 07.

Regarding custom orders -- the designers take forever -- and sometimes NEVER fulfill custom orders -- and often what comes is different from what you ordered. Wrong size by several inches, different colors, etc.

Audrena and Dahlal can be responsible for clear communication, that's about it. Most of the problems happen at the international level.

I've had good, bad and horrible experiences. I don't think I'll custom order ever again. If I were you, I'd contact them both and ask if they happen to have the costume you want in your size (they often have loads of stuff in stock that never makes it onto the web site) before I custom ordered.

slightly OT:

in my experiences, even when custom ordering, you should never expect the costume to be "exactly", what you ordered. sleeves, even bead colour, etc, decoration, the way the hipdrape is done, etc, all such things might come out diffnerent from what you ordered... i usually dont mind... you order something "in the style of", and just need to be happy with what they send (and pray it fits...)..

even when ordered directly in cairo, it might not come out as what you ordered exactly, always "more or less"...

for the names: ameera gives them yet another name, so always be sure to include pics of what you want when ordering from her direct.

Oh, yes, the names. The costumes arrive by the dozens, in large shipments. They aren't marked with names. When each retailer photographs them and puts them on the website or in the newsletter, they give them names, which aids communication with their customers.

While it would be nice from our standpoint, it's probably not reasonable to expect the retailer to get on the phone with his/her competitors to discuss all the merchandise and agree on names.

Is it still possible to order directly from Ameera? Or only if you're in Cairo? And how is she with custom orders?

ok, this is just my experience

i've only ordered from ameera IN cairo. i dont know if you can if you're not there or haven't been there... i have dance friends who have ordered from her directly, and later faxed in an extra order, but than mostly for example to be picked up (and paid in cash) while in cairo a few months later.

if you are there you order the costume you want (you bring a picture, or she has some hanging in the studio that are ready to ship or you describe it), you go back for a first fitting a few days later (the fabric by than will be cut to measure, but no decoration yet) and than it can take up to 3 months to arrive at your door with the beading all done. she "books" you, like when your costume will be made and ready to ship, and gives you an aprox date.

she doesnt really do custom orders. that is: it will fit you perfectly when you get it from her directly, size wise, and you'll get the colour you want, and she will suggest adjustments based on your body type, but ahum, trying to change stuff other than that results in a lecture about why the costume is designed the way it IS. which was intersting... she was very adamant about it (but yes, this is done because of this and this and this, and if i change this, then this and this is out of proportion)... so i learned to shut up and just trust her judgement. i tend to do that with designers anyway. well, i didnt used to, i would go "'but but but", but i dont anymore, i've learned that if you let them make something for you, you get the best results...

this year she did suggest some changes herself (based on how the first fitting went), so that was nice! and she went out of her way to find me the exact colour/fabric i wanted, and she really wants you to be happy. i was very amazed at the time she took to help me, which is like a tiny order while both times i was there there was an incrfedible hussle and bussle in the studio, trying to get some HUGE orders done.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Is it still possible to order directly from Ameera? Or only if you're in Cairo? And how is she with custom orders?

It is possible to order directly from Ameera but it is no longer cheaper after having a sidebar conversation with her lead order staff. I was told that Ameera will no longer sell individual costumes at $400 for dresses and $450 for 2-pc. It will be $500/550 now that the new simpler line is out. The simple line will be priced in the $400 range which does not include "dripping in diamonds". Note: these prices do not include shipping. She will charge an additional $75-100 for shipping (but it will be express mail to avoid U.S. customs delivery nightmares). Not to mention you may have to spend a few $$$ calling Egypt for updates. At that price you might as well wait for Audrena to have a $600 sale.

there's been a recent post on this

here

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Regarding custom orders -- the designers take forever -- and sometimes NEVER fulfill custom orders -- and often what comes is different from what you ordered. Wrong size by several inches, different colors, etc.

Audrena and Dahlal can be responsible for clear communication, that's about it. Most of the problems happen at the international level.

I've had good, bad and horrible experiences. I don't think I'll custom order ever again. If I were you, I'd contact them both and ask if they happen to have the costume you want in your size (they often have loads of stuff in stock that never makes it onto the web site) before I custom ordered.

Thanks Lauren-thats a great Idea-might see what they each have in stock-the idea of custom ordering scares me and I am terribly impatient!!