Designer Carrie Matthews trained at The London College of Fashion before founding Blake Ida in 2020. The brand emerged in response to her engaged friends increasingly recruiting her to dream up styles for them to get married in.
"Generally speaking, the bridal wear industry is surprisingly stuck in its time. My friends, particularly those with a distinct sense of personal style, were struggling to find what they were looking for in traditional boutiques. Essentially they wanted a high fashion dress with a bridal twist, so that's what i'd design for them ".
Blake Ida has quickly established itself as the go-to atelier for women with a strong sense of personal style who are seeking an elevated experience and a truly luxury garment.
In addition to its ever increasing collection of gowns, dresses, capes, detachables and accessories, Blake Ida's hugely popular bespoke design service (hailed 'Best For Bespoke' by the Sunday Times Style Magasine) continues to deliver an exceptionally personalised service which is surprisingly affordable. Commissions are capped at 50 per year to ensure clients enjoy the highly dedicated experience they deserve.
Q. What is your average lead time.
A. We like around 6 months notice for collection piece orders. If you need your garment sooner let us know and we'll see what we can do.
Bespoke commission lead times depend on the time of year.
Q. Can I change or customise your designs?
A. Yes, for a £30 surcharge we can make your dress in a different silk.
This also applies to capes and detachables. If you have your dress but would like to buy a complimenting garment from us for £30 we can match the silk and or/ shade to your dress.
We can also make small design changes which are quoted on a case by case basis.
If you want to significantly change a style you might like to consider our bespoke design service.
Q. Do you offer an alterations service?
A. Yes, we do. Alterations are charged at £50 per hour. Alternatively you are welcome to get your alterations done elsewhere if you prefer.
Q. Can I have my fittings in the evening and at the weekend?
A. Sample fittings to try on our collection styles take place on a Saturday.
Our production team work a normal week so fittings are usually during working hours Mon-Fri. If you particularly need Saturday fittings let us know before placing your order and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Q. How do I pay for my dress?
A. For a collection style, payment is required in full at the time of placing your order. For bespoke garments, a 50% deposit is paid and then the 50% balance before collection. Fabric for bespoke garments is charged back to the client separately.
Q. How do I know what size to order?
A. We can measure you and can advise which size would work best.
Our brand new showroom studio is where we hold all our fittings as well as where we design, develop and produce every garment.
This merging of the commercial and aesthetic facets of the brand is in keeping with Blake Ida's commitment not only to exceptional quality and service but also to complete transparency across all stages of design and production.
We love bringing our clients into the world of the brand, which operates in a highly conscious and considered way. When you come into the studio you are not just trying on a dress which could be the most important dress you ever wear, you're meeting the people who designed and will create it, too.
We are so proud to work with some of the most experienced, knowledgeable and skilled individuals in the industry.
Our small, elite team is made up of sample cutters, pattern cutters and machinists who have worked at labels including Alexander McQueen, Erdem, Tom Ford, Amelia Wickstead and Ralph & Russo so you can rest assured your Blake Ida dress has been created by the very best.
Blake ida clients are savvy spenders and expect decent bang for their buck and we deliver it.
The exemplary product and service we offer is honestly costed: we don't add the insane mark ups which have become commonplace in the wedding industry.
We make every garment to order and only order silk as we need it to keep wastage to a minimum.
Leftover silk is used in our accessories range.
There are a variety of ways we can help you give life to your dress after the big day, like altering the length of the dress. We can also use special threads to allow you to dye the dress after your wedding. Please just ask if you're interested in exploring these options.
Sample Appointments
Appointments to try on our collection pieces are 60 minutes and are charged at £25. Unfortunately we cannot extend your appointment slot if you are late. We ask that you bring no more than three guests with you.
Appointments are non refundable once booked but you can rearrange your slot once. Blake Ida also reserves the right to rearrange your fitting once, though this is very rare.
Sample sizes vary. Some samples from our earlier collections are small. If you are unsure or there are particular styles you want to try on please contact us before booking your appointment so we can advise you.
Collection Orders
Orders are confirmed once we have received payment in full.
Collection orders are made fully completed to your closest dress size, sized up if you are between sizes. You can send us your measurements yourself or we can take them for you for £20.
Any alterations after your garment has been made are charged additionally at £50 per hour.
The samples you try on in the studio are not necessarily an accurate indication of how your final dress will fit you. This is partly owing to the fact older samples might have stretched or dropped and partly owing to the fact that we sometimes alter the sizing of the dresses if we are repeatedly making the same alteration. This is to minimise the overall cost to the client. The dress we make you will be to your closest bust, waist and hip measurement, sizing up where you are between sizes, and will be altered from there.
If you are in any way concerned about the fit of your dress you may want to consider our made to measure service. This is an additional £1500 to the off the rail cost of the dress. Please see out M2M service section for more details.
If you are using our measurements service please note that these appointments are 15 minutes long and with regret it is not possible for you to try on the dress you have ordered again at this appointment. If you wish to try your dress on again you are welcome to book a samples appointment again.
Any fabric customisation is subject to a £30 surcharge plus the additional cost of fabric, if applicable.
Please note that occasionally articles are discontinued or out of stock and in these instances we use the closest possible match. Shades of the same article can vary from batch to batch. We use a range of linings and select the best article for each garment.
Blake Ida reserves the right to make small amendments to collection styles in line with changes to our production. For example, we may change the fusing on an element of the garment, add or discontinue a layer of lining, use a different number of buttons, or use a different finishing. These changes are minimal and do not affect the overall look of the garment.
For the above reasons your dress may not be identical to the one you tried on in the samples appointment and in making payment you confirm that you understand and agree to this. If in doubt, please ask before placing an order.
Design customisation is quoted on a case by case basis and must be paid in full at the time of placing your order.
Fittings
All fittings take place during 'office' hours (Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm) at the studio (SW18 4GQ).
Occasionlly we can offer a semi- bespoke service. With made to measure orders for collection pieces, we amend the dress pattern to your measurements and make the style in fabrics confirmed by you.
Made to measure is the off the rail cost of the dress plus £1500.
Blake Ida use a variety of linings and choose the lining best suited to the individual style. Linings are not selected by the client.
The made to measure process includes
- a measurements appointment (included in the cost). These appointments are 15 minutes and we regret that it is not possible to try on the dress you ordered again at this appointment.
- one shell fitting. This is where you try on an almost completed dress with raw hem and fastenings. We pin the garment for one round of alterations. We also pin your hem at this fitting so it is vital you bring your shoes with you. Failure to do so will result in an additional fitting being necessary. Additional fittings are charged at £50 an hour.
- Delivery fitting. This is where you try on your completed dress and take it away. We provide the garment bag.
Made to measure orders are confirmed with a 75% deposit of the cost of the garment with the other 25% due within two weeks of your shell fitting or at least three working days before your delivery fitting, whichever is sooner. We cannot complete work to your dress until the balance has been received so failure to pay promptly could result in us having to delay your delivery fitting.
Fittings
All fittings take place during 'office' hours (Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm) at the studio (SW18 4GQ).
Design Consultations for Bespoke Service
These consultations are 30 minutes long and are charged at £30. Blake Ida's founder, Carrie Matthews, takes all consultations which take place online.
Once booked, these are non refundable but can be rearranged once. If you miss your appointment or ar late we regret that we cannot extend your consultation time and you will need to rebook your appointment.
Please ensure you have collected visuals of things you like before this consultation and share them before the appointment, or be ready to share them during the consultation. Any additional consultations (prior to paying a deposit for a bespoke gown) are charged at £50 per half hour.
Bespoke Design Work
Should you require design work, this is charged at £150 for one sketch or £250 for three sketches. This includes a set of small revisions. Design work will be received within three weeks of payment being received and is non refundable regardless of whether or not your choose to proceed.
Bespoke Commission Fittings
Measurements Fitting
This appointment is 15 minutes long. It is preferable that you bring the bra or body you are planning to wear.
Fabric Selection Appointment
This appointment (if necessary) is 15 minutes long. It usually takes place alongside the measurements fitting or the toile fitting.
Toile Fitting
This appointment is 45 minutes long. Please bring the bra you are planning to wear and your shoes.
Shell fitting
This appointment is 45 minutes long. It is crucial you bring your bra and shoes with you to this appointment. Failure to do so will result in an additional appointment being necessary charged at £50.
Collection Fitting
This appointment is 15 minutes long. You try on your garment and take it away in a garment bag provided by us.
We respectfully ask that you note and respect appointment durations. They allow us the time we need to do what needs to be done at each stage. Should your appointment go over this allotted time it may be necessary to book an additional fitting at £50 per hour.
Bespoke Payment Terms
The payment terms for bespoke commissions are a 75% non refundable deposit to secure your slot with the 25% balance due after your toile fitting. All fabric is paid for by the client- you will be invoiced separately. We cannot start work to your shell until the balance and fabric payment has been received so failure to pay promptly could result in a delay to your shell fitting.
Fittings
All fittings take place during 'office' hours (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm) at the studio (SW18 4GQ).
Returns and Exchanges
All our garments are made to order and as such we do not offer returns or exchanges under any circumstances.
Modifications to Service and Price
We reserve the right to make changes at any time to our prices, payment terms or services with immediate effect.
If you have any questions please get in touch and we would be happy to assist you.