Made to Order

TERMS & CONDITIONS

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern all Made-to-Order projects undertaken by Niharika Vivek (“Studio”, “we”, “us”, “our”) for the client (“Client”, “you”, “your”).

By approving a quotation, making payment and/or authorising the Studio to begin work, the Client confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms.

1. ABOUT MADE-TO-ORDER

Our Made-to-Order service transforms an approved pure silk textile into an existing Niharika Vivek signature silhouette.

This service is intended for clients who wish to recreate one of our existing designs using:

  • Their own heirloom pure silk saree;
  • A suitable silk from the Studio's personal collection, subject to seasonal availability; or
  • A new pure silk textile sourced with the Studio.

Made-to-Order is not a bespoke design service. The underlying silhouette, pattern, construction and established design details remain substantially unchanged.

2. ENQUIRY & PROJECT ACCEPTANCE

All projects begin with the Made-to-Order enquiry form.

The Client should provide the requested information regarding the selected silhouette, textile, measurements or sizing, event date and any permitted modifications.

The Studio reviews each enquiry individually.

Submission of an enquiry does not guarantee acceptance.

The Studio reserves the right to decline a project where the textile, sizing, requested modifications, timeline or other requirements fall outside the Studio's scope of production.

3. CONSULTATION

Once the project is considered suitable for further discussion, an initial consultation may be scheduled.

During this consultation, we will discuss:

  • Your selected silhouette;
  • Your saree or proposed textile;
  • Sizing and measurements;
  • Fabric requirements;
  • Permitted modifications;
  • Timeline; and
  • Any additional pieces required.

Where the Client intends to provide an heirloom or vintage saree, any assessment made from photographs or videos before the Studio physically receives the textile is preliminary only.

Final acceptance of the textile is always subject to physical inspection.

4. DESIGN SCOPE

Made-to-Order means recreating an existing Niharika Vivek design, rather than developing a new design.

Subject to technical feasibility and Studio approval, the Client may request:

  • Minor sleeve modifications;
  • Minor strap modifications; and
  • Addition of a dupatta or veil.

Additional pieces and approved modifications may be quoted separately.

The following cannot be changed under Made-to-Order:

  • The underlying silhouette;
  • Pattern;
  • Construction;
  • Neckline;
  • Embroidery design or placement; and
  • Other established design elements.

Requests requiring substantial design or pattern development fall outside the scope of Made-to-Order and may need to be undertaken as a separate Bespoke project.

5. TEXTILES WE ACCEPT

Made-to-Order is offered exclusively in pure silk textiles approved by the Studio.

Suitable textiles may include:

  • Kanjivaram;
  • Paithani;
  • Banarasi silk; and
  • Other substantial pure woven silks approved by the Studio.

We do not accept georgette, chiffon, organza, tissue, synthetic blends or similarly lightweight textiles for this service.

The Studio has final discretion over whether a particular textile is technically suitable for the selected garment.

6. CLIENT-SUPPLIED HEIRLOOM TEXTILES

Vintage textiles are inherently unique and may carry evidence of age, storage and previous use.

Once your saree reaches us, we will assess factors including:

  • Structural strength;
  • Tears and weak areas;
  • Fabric deterioration;
  • Stains or discolouration;
  • Zari condition;
  • Previous repairs;
  • Borders and pallu;
  • Available usable fabric; and
  • Suitability for the selected silhouette.

The Studio may decline to use a textile where we believe cutting or reconstructing it creates an unreasonable risk of damage or garment failure.

We would rather decline a textile than unnecessarily damage an irreplaceable heirloom.

7. REVIVAL, REPAIR & REINFORCEMENT

Some vintage textiles may require reinforcement, stabilisation, repair or other revival work before they can safely be reconstructed.

Standard revival and reinforcement of the vintage saree required for the agreed Made-to-Order garment is included in the final quotation and will not carry an additional revival fee.

Once the textile is physically received, the Studio will assess its condition and determine what revival or reinforcement is reasonably required before reconstruction.

The Studio cannot restore an aged textile to the condition or structural strength of new fabric.

The Client acknowledges that vintage textiles may contain weaknesses that are not visible during initial inspection and may only become apparent during cutting, handling or construction.

Where the Studio determines that a textile is too fragile or structurally compromised to be safely reconstructed, the Studio reserves the right to decline its use rather than risk irreparable damage.

The Studio will exercise reasonable care when working with all Client-supplied heirloom textiles.

8. IRREVERSIBLE TRANSFORMATION OF YOUR SAREE

The Client understands that transforming a saree into a structured garment requires the textile to be cut and reconstructed.

Once cutting begins, the saree cannot be returned to its original form.

By approving the project and authorising production, the Client gives Niharika Vivek permission to cut, alter, reinforce and permanently transform the submitted textile for the agreed garment.

9. CHARACTER OF VINTAGE TEXTILES

Vintage silk comes with a life already lived.

Ageing, colour variation, fading, old zari, tiny marks, previous repairs, weave irregularities and other signs of age may remain visible in the finished garment.

These characteristics are inherent to vintage textiles and will not, by themselves, be treated as manufacturing defects.

The Studio will thoughtfully consider borders, motifs, pallu details and other significant elements when planning the garment.

However, the Studio cannot guarantee that every element of the original saree will appear in the finished piece or in a particular location.

10. LEFTOVER FABRIC

Any meaningful usable remnants of the Client's heirloom textile will be returned with the completed garment.

Very small cutting waste, damaged portions, threads and other unusable remnants may not be recoverable and may be discarded as part of the normal production process.

11. FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

As a general guideline:

One standard saree can usually accommodate a corset/top and lehenga up to approximately size L.

Actual fabric requirements depend on:

  • Saree dimensions;
  • Condition and usable area;
  • Selected silhouette;
  • Border and motif placement; and
  • Garment size.

Additional fabric may be required where the garment requires more volume or where the Client would like an additional dupatta or veil.

Where there is insufficient heirloom fabric, the Client may provide another compatible saree or approve the sourcing of a complementary pure silk textile at an additional cost.

12. SIZING

Our existing corset patterns are currently designed for body types up to approximately a 38C cup size.

For sizes XL and above, or where the Client's measurements require the development of a substantially new pattern, the project may fall outside Made-to-Order.

In such cases, the Studio may recommend our Bespoke service so that a new pattern can be developed specifically for the Client's body.

13. MEASUREMENTS

Following the consultation, the Studio will send the Client the exact measurements required for the selected garment.

Measurements must be taken by a professional seamstress or experienced tailor.

The Client should not estimate measurements or rely solely on their usual clothing size.

The garment will be produced according to the measurements supplied by the Client.

The Client is responsible for the accuracy of these measurements.

Alterations or reconstruction required because measurements were incorrectly taken, incorrectly communicated or incomplete may incur additional charges and may affect the delivery timeline.

14. CHANGES IN MEASUREMENTS

The Client must notify the Studio as soon as possible if their measurements change during production.

Minor fit corrections may be possible depending on the stage of construction.

Significant measurement changes may require additional alteration or reconstruction and may incur additional charges.

Such changes may also affect the completion date.

15. SUBMISSION OF SAREE & MEASUREMENTS

The Client's saree and completed measurements must reach the Studio within one week of the consultation, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

The three-month production timeline does not begin merely because a consultation has taken place.

Any delay in submitting the textile, measurements, payment, approvals or other required information may delay the project accordingly.

16. PRICING & WHAT YOUR QUOTATION INCLUDES

Our Made-to-Order portal gives you an estimate of your selected silhouette.

The final quotation will be prepared based on the selected silhouette, garment size, textile requirements, approved modifications, additional pieces and any other requirements confirmed for the project.

Your final quotation includes:
  • Detailed fabric-placement mock-up: Before production, the Studio will develop a detailed mock-up showing the proposed placement and use of the Client's textile within the selected silhouette.
  • Vintage textile revival: Standard revival, reinforcement and stabilisation reasonably required to prepare an approved vintage saree for reconstruction.
  • Patternmaking: Pattern preparation required to produce the selected existing Niharika Vivek silhouette according to the measurements supplied for the Client.
  • Stitching & construction: The construction and finishing of the agreed garment.
  • Sampling & internal construction materials: Standard materials and processes required to construct and support the garment, including, where applicable: Linings, Silk lining, Fusing, Boning, Padding, Sampling materials, and, other standard internal construction materials required for the selected garment.
  • Customer service & production communication: Communication throughout the project, including updates at agreed production checkpoints and documentation of material design, textile and production decisions.
  • One alteration, if required: One reasonable post-completion fit alteration is included, subject to the conditions set out in Section 23.
  • Final measurement documentation: Once the garment is complete, the Studio will provide photographs showing the relevant finished garment measurements so that the Client can verify them against the measurements supplied for production.
  • Taxes & service charges: The final quotation presented to the Client is inclusive of 18% GST and a 5% service charge.
  • Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing, the amount shown as the Final Quotation is therefore the total quoted amount inclusive of these charges.
Not included unless expressly stated in the quotation

The quotation does not automatically include:

  • Additional garments or pieces;
  • Dupattas or veils not included in the confirmed order;
  • Additional sarees or outer fabrics that need to be purchased or sourced;
  • Major design changes;
  • Changes outside the permitted Made-to-Order scope;
  • Alterations arising from changed or inaccurate Client measurements beyond the included alteration;
  • Additional alterations after the included alteration; or
  • Shipping and courier charges.

Any additional work or product outside the confirmed scope will be communicated and quoted separately before proceeding.

17. PAYMENT

Full payment of the final quotation is required before production begins.

The final quotation provided to the Client will be inclusive of 18% GST and the 5% service charge.

Production will not commence until:

  1. The textile has been physically received and approved;
  2. Complete measurements have been received;
  3. The final scope and quotation have been confirmed;
  4. The fabric-placement mock-up and other required decisions have been approved; and
  5. Full payment has been received.

Any separately approved additions arising after production begins will be invoiced separately and must be paid in accordance with the payment terms communicated by the Studio.

18. PRODUCTION TIMELINE

Made-to-Order requires a minimum lead time of three (3) months.

The three-month timeline begins only once:

  • The textile has been physically received and approved;
  • Complete measurements and order information have been received; and
  • Full payment has been received.

It does not begin from the date of enquiry or consultation.

We do not accept rush Made-to-Order projects.

The Client is responsible for ensuring that their event date allows sufficient time for production.

19. DESIGN, FABRIC PLACEMENT & APPROVALS

Once the selected silhouette, textile and permitted modifications have been confirmed, the Studio will prepare a detailed fabric-placement mock-up for the Client's review.

The mock-up is intended to communicate how significant elements of the textile including borders, motifs, pallu details and other usable features are proposed to be incorporated into the garment.

Because the final placement is affected by pattern cutting, usable textile area, structural condition, measurements and construction requirements, minor adjustments may become necessary during production.

The Studio will endeavour to remain faithful to the approved mock-up wherever technically possible.

Once the Client approves the fabric-placement mock-up and other confirmed design decisions, these are considered approved for production.

Changes requested after approval are subject to Studio approval and may incur additional charges or extend the production timeline.

Changes to the underlying silhouette, neckline, construction, pattern, embroidery design or other established design elements cannot be made under Made-to-Order.

20. CLIENT DELAYS

The Client is responsible for providing the textile, measurements, approvals, payments and other requested information within the agreed timelines.

Delays caused by the Client may result in corresponding delays to production and delivery.

The Studio cannot guarantee the original completion date where the Client delays measurements, textile delivery, payment, approvals or other required decisions.

21. CANCELLATION

Made-to-Order garments are produced specifically for the individual Client.

Once production has commenced, the order cannot be cancelled.

Payments are non-refundable once production has begun.

A change of mind, event cancellation, postponement or change in personal circumstances does not automatically entitle the Client to cancellation or refund once production has commenced.

22. RETURNS & EXCHANGES

Made-to-Order garments are final sale.

They cannot be returned or exchanged for:

  • Change of mind;
  • Event cancellation or postponement;
  • Change in style preference;
  • Incorrect Client-supplied measurements;
  • Changes in the Client's measurements after production begins; or
  • Natural characteristics of an approved vintage textile.

This does not affect any remedy available to the Client for a genuine manufacturing defect where such remedy cannot lawfully be excluded.

23. FIT, FINAL MEASUREMENTS & INCLUDED ALTERATION

The garment is produced according to the measurements supplied by the Client.

Once the final garment has been completed, the Studio will provide the Client with photographs showing the relevant finished garment measurements.

These photographs are intended to document that the finished garment has been measured against the specifications used for production before it leaves the Studio.

One alteration is included, if required.

The Client may avail of one reasonable fit alteration after completion of the garment.

For clients able to visit the Studio, the garment may be brought to the Studio for the alteration.

For clients unable to visit the Studio, the garment may be shipped back to the Studio. The Client is responsible for arranging and paying the shipping costs both to and from the Studio.

The included alteration is intended for reasonable fit correction only.

It does not include:

  • A change in design;
  • A change in preferred silhouette or fit after completion;
  • Significant changes in the Client's body measurements;
  • Alterations required because measurements supplied by the Client were inaccurate or incorrectly taken;
  • Reconstruction of substantial portions of the garment; or
  • Additional alterations requested after the included alteration has been completed.

Where work falls outside the included alteration, the Studio will assess whether it is technically possible and may provide a separate quotation.

24. HANDCRAFTED WORK

Where a garment includes hand embroidery, hand finishing or other artisanal processes, minor variations may naturally occur.

Small variations in stitch, motif, texture, placement, finish or appearance are characteristics of handmade work and are not, by themselves, considered defects.

25. COLOUR & MATERIAL VARIATION

Colours may appear differently across photographs, screens and physical textiles.

Vintage textiles, natural fabrics, zari, dyes and handmade processes may also contain natural colour and texture variations.

The Studio cannot guarantee exact reproduction of colours viewed digitally.

26. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Client purchases the completed physical garment.

All underlying Niharika Vivek intellectual property remains the property of the Studio, including:

  • Patterns;
  • Existing silhouettes;
  • Construction methods;
  • Embroidery designs and development;
  • Motifs;
  • Technical development;
  • Sampling;
  • Design methods; and
  • Studio design language.

Purchasing a Made-to-Order garment does not transfer ownership of the underlying design or grant exclusivity over the silhouette or design elements.

27. COLLECTION & DELIVERY

The Client is responsible for providing accurate collection, delivery and contact information.

Where shipping is requested, shipping charges, insurance, customs duties, taxes or other applicable charges may be separately payable unless expressly included in the quotation.

Once a parcel has been handed to a third-party courier, delivery timelines may be affected by circumstances outside the Studio's direct control.

The Studio will communicate when the garment is ready for collection or dispatch.

28. EVENTS OUTSIDE REASONABLE CONTROL

Occasionally, production may be affected by circumstances outside the Studio's reasonable control, including material shortages, artisan availability, transportation disruption, natural events, government restrictions or other unforeseen circumstances.

Where a material delay occurs, the Studio will communicate this to the Client and make reasonable efforts to complete the project as soon as practicable.

29. CLIENT COMMUNICATION, CHECKPOINTS & DOCUMENTATION

The Studio believes that decisions made during a Made-to-Order project should be clear to both the Client and the Studio.

The Client will therefore receive customer support and updates at relevant checkpoints throughout the project.

Depending on the requirements of the individual garment, checkpoints may include:

  • Textile receipt and inspection;
  • Textile condition and revival assessment;
  • Fabric-placement mock-up;
  • Measurement confirmation;
  • Approved modifications;
  • Pattern and production commencement;
  • Relevant construction or production updates;
  • Completion; and
  • Final garment measurement documentation.

Material decisions, approvals and changes relating to the project will be documented in writing through email, WhatsApp or another agreed written communication channel.

The Client is responsible for reviewing these communications carefully and communicating any concern or correction before giving approval.

Once the Client has provided written approval for a particular decision or stage, the Studio is entitled to proceed on the basis of that approval.

Written approvals provided through email, WhatsApp or another agreed written communication channel will form part of the project record.

30. ENTIRE PROJECT AGREEMENT

These Terms, together with the Client's approved quotation, invoice and any project-specific written terms agreed between the Client and Studio, constitute the commercial understanding governing the Made-to-Order project.

Where a project-specific written term expressly differs from these general Terms, the project-specific written term will apply to that project.