Process
How your piece is made
From the first conversation to the final fitting: six steps in the CICIPEEL® atelier in Zollikofen near Bern.
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1. The conversation
It all begins with a thorough conversation: wishes, occasion, fabric. What is the piece for – work, a wedding, every day? What do you love to wear, and what never?
Feel free to bring what you have: a garment that fits well, or one you would like to have reworked.
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2. The fabric
Which fabric is right depends on the occasion and the season. Weight, drape and handle help decide how a piece will wear later on. That is why choosing the fabric is part of the consultation.
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3. The measurements
Then come the measurements. For a bespoke suit we use a 21-point measuring system – because a jacket should not only look good standing in front of the mirror, but also when you sit down or reach for something.
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4. The cut
The measurements become the pattern from which the fabric is cut. With a restyle it works the other way round: the piece already exists, and we consider how it can be brought back into shape.
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5. The fitting
The fitting reveals what cannot be seen on paper. This is where the piece is adjusted until it sits right. How many fittings are needed depends on the piece.
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6. The finishing
Finally come the label, ribbon and buttons. How long the piece takes is discussed in the first conversation – so you know where you stand, especially if it needs to be ready for a fixed date.
