Alteration services offered by Kalaurie

To help you achieve the perfect fit, Kalaurie offers alterations on all her garments. All alterations are performed in our Melbourne-based atelier.

Please note that hemming services can be done via post. All other services are only available to clients who can visit the Melbourne-based atelier for alterations in person, to ensure Kalaurie can deliver the outcome desired.

Significant changes to style may be considered a custom-made order, to be discussed at time of alterations booking.

Shirts

• Shorten sleeves
• Take in side seams and darts
• Add darts
• Change hem length and shape
• Change or repair collar and cuff

Dresses

• Shorten length
• Take in or let out sides
• Adjust shoulder seams
• Reshape or restyle*

Bottoms

• Hemming
• Taper trouser legs
• Resize waist (up to 1 size smaller)
• Increase or reduce crotch length

Jackets and coats

• Shorten or lengthen sleeves
• Taper sleeves
• Taper or let out torso
• Adjust shoulder seams
• Shorten jacket or coat length*
• Repair or replace lining

How do I book a garment alteration?

Kalaurie welcomes the opportunity to discuss your alteration needs. To request an alteration, please email contact@kalaurie.com.au.

You can also visit Kalaurie on Instagram to keep in touch and stay inspired.

Repairs services offered by Kalaurie

To help you extend the life of your pieces, Kalaurie offers repairs on all her garments. All repairs are performed in our Melbourne-based atelier.

Please note that repairs services can be done via post. Clients who can visit the Melbourne-based atelier are also welcome to drop off their pieces, during studio opening hours, in person, if they so desire.

Kalaurie can perform the following repairs on your pieces:

• Replacing buttons and fastenings
• Re-hemming* original hems
• Reinforcing weakened seams
• Darning or patching holes
• Replacing broken zippers.

*Re-hemming is a separate service to hemming, which is considered an alteration, not a repair.

Will I be charged for repairs?

You may be charged for more complex repairs, to be determined at time of booking. The cost of posting your garment to the Melbourne atelier will be your responsibility. However, we’ll cover the cost of posting your item back to you once Kalaurie has repaired your garment.

How do I request a repair?

To request a repair, big or small, please email contact@kalaurie.com.au

How do I launder my Kalaurie garments?

To help your piece have a longer life, while looking its best, we recommend following care instructions closely. You can find care labels on the bottom left-hand seam of each garment, sewn in place by Kalaurie.

Care instructions vary depending on the garment’s materials and its design. For more information, refer to our guidelines on ways to launder with love.

Hand wash your clothes

Washing by hand is one of the most gentle and environmentally friendly ways to clean your clothes. You can launder most items and fabrics with this technique, reducing your consumption of energy and water.

To wash your garments by hand, you’ll need:

• A clean sink, laundry trough, tub, or bucket.
• An environmentally friendly laundry detergent*.
• A clothes horse or clothes line.

*We recommend options free of phosphates and synthetic perfumes, such as Ultra Sensitive Laundry Liquid by ecostore.

Spot clean your clothes

Spot cleaning is a term used to describe tackling stains without washing your whole garment. This technique helps to extend the life of your items as frequent laundering can sometimes wear out your clothing faster.

To spot clean your garments, you’ll need:

• A clean working environment.
• Some cold water.
• An environmentally friendly laundry detergent*.

If you’re new to this technique, Loved Clothes Last, an article by Kalaurie, offers some helpful tips.

*We recommend options free of phosphates and synthetic perfumes, such as Ultra Sensitive Laundry Soaker & Stain Remover by ecostore.

Sanitise your clothes in the sun

Sanitising clothes using the sun is one of the simplest techniques to add to your laundry regime. Not only can the sun's ultraviolet rays kill bacteria, the sunlight will also help to freshen up your clothes between washes.

To air your clothes in the sun, you’ll need:

• A clothes horse or clothes line positioned in direct sunlight.
• Pegs or clothing hangers to keep garments in place as they sunbathe.

Dry your clothes, gently

Drying clothes in a tumble dryer may be convenient, but that convenience comes at a cost. Not only do tumble dryers consume a lot of energy, they can also cause heat damage and shrinkage to clothing. For this reason, we recommend drying your Kalaurie garments using gentler techniques, and avoiding tumble drying completely.

To dry your clothes, gently, you’ll need:

• A clothes horse or clothes, positioned in the right amount of sunlight*.
• Pegs or clothing hangers to keep garments in place as they dry.

*Depending on the colour and fabric of your garment, we may recommend that you dry your item in either direct or indirect sunlight. In some cases, garments may need to be hung out to dry in the shade. Always read the care instructions sewn into your garment for guidance.

Dry clean clothes, consciously

Certain Kalaurie garments—including tailored and lined designs such as coats and jackets—are dry clean only.

Dry cleaning is similar to regular home laundering, but a liquid solvent is used to clean your clothes instead of water and detergent. The solvents applied contain little or no water, hence the term "dry cleaning".

Unfortunately, not all dry cleaners are created equal, and some may use toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment. For this reason, we recommend seeking out an organic or “green” dry cleaner if you can.

Fabric care instructions

Viscose, rayon, and other cellulose fibres

Man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs), more commonly known as cellulose fibres, are a group of fibres that are conventionally derived primarily from wood. In some cases, other sources of cellulose such as bamboo or other plant matter are also used to make these fibres.

As cellulose fibres can readily absorb moisture, shrinkage may sometimes occur if garments are not laundered appropriately. So, always read the label carefully before washing your items.

Common cellulose fibres

• Viscose
• Tencel
• Lyocell
• Rayon
• Cupro

Tips to take care of cellulose fibres

• Only iron as directed by the Kalaurie care label.
• Gently steam the fabric using a garment steamer or the steam function on an iron.
• Hand wash in cold water only, with environmentally friendly laundry detergent.
• Lay garments flat to dry.
• Avoid using pegs with 100% cellulose fibres, as they may harm fabric.

Cotton

Cotton is what’s referred to as a staple fibre, which means it’s made up of different, varying lengths of fibres. These natural fibres are derived from cotton plants.

Cotton is known for its softness, durability, and absorbency. It's also highly breathable and holds dye very well. However, similar to other natural fibres, cotton can be prone to shrinkage, so always read the label carefully before washing your items.

Tips to take care of cotton

• Always read the care label; cotton garments may need to be hand washed or laundered on a gentle cycle.
• Wash with cold water using environmentally friendly laundry detergent.
• Wash with like colours to avoid risk of dyes running.

Linen

Linen is a natural fibre derived from the flax plant. Known for its durability and naturally hypoallergenic characteristics, the breathability of linen makes it a great choice for warmer days.

As linen is soft and absorbent, shrinkage may sometimes occur if garments are not laundered appropriately. So, always read the label carefully before washing your items.

Tips to take care of linen

• Always read the care label; linen garments may need to be hand washed or laundered on a gentle cycle.
• Wash with cold water using environmentally friendly laundry detergent.
• Wash with like colours to avoid risk of dyes running.

Silk

Silk is a natural fibre produced by insects as a material for their nests and cocoons. As a fabric, silk is delicate yet durable, and it is known for its luster, shine, and strength.

Dry cleaning is usually recommended for silk garments, as they can be prone to shrinkage. However, washing by hand is sometimes an option.

Tips to take care of silk

• Iron with care.
• Gently steam the fabric using a garment steamer or the steam function on an iron.
• Hand wash in cold water separately.
• Lay garments flat to dry.
• Avoid using pegs, as they may harm fabric.
• Always read the care label; some silk pieces need to be dry cleaned.

Wool

Wool is made from the natural fibres that form the fleeces of animals such as sheep. Known for its ability to insulate, wool also offers natural UV protection and has both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

Tips to take care of wool

• Always read the care label; wool garments often need to be dry cleaned.
• For non-dry clean only pure wool unlined garments, hand wash with environmentally friendly laundry detergent.
• Lay wool garments flat to dry.
• Store wool garments in a cool, dark place to prevent light and heat from fading material.
• Place mothballs near your wool garments to repel moths and larvae.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic woven material known for being durable and easy to care for. However, polyester can release tiny fibres, known as microfibers, into the environment during routine washing, so attention should be paid when laundering polyester clothing.

Tips to take care of polyester

• Launder polyester garments in a GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag to help filter microplastics and reduce fibre shedding during washing.
• Spot clean and sanitise polyester in the sun whenever possible to extend time between washes.

Velvet

Velvet is a closely woven fabric traditionally made up of silk, cotton, or nylon, that has a thick short pile on one side. It is soft to the touch, absorbent and hypoallergenic.

Tips to take care of velvet

• Do not iron.
• Gently steam the fabric using a garment steamer or the steam function on an iron.

Taking responsibility for your garment

We encourage you to pay careful attention to the care instructions of your items. Kalaurie makes sure to provide you with the information you need to take care of your pieces. For this reason, we do not accept the responsibility of replacing garments that have been damaged due to laundry mishaps.

Australia and New Zealand Shipping

Our garments are delivered in partnership with Australia Post and private couriers who provide carbon neutral parcel delivery.

Kalaurie will notify you via email once your order has been sewn, packed and posted. You will also receive a shipping notification to track your order once it’s on board with the carrier.

Shipping costs

Complimentary express shipping for all orders over $300AUD within Australia and to New Zealand.

$12 standard shipping and $18 express shipping for all orders under $300AUD within Australia.

Delivery timeframes

For express deliveries, your order should arrive 1-2 business days after shipping notification is received.

If you’ve opted for standard delivery, your order should arrive 2-7 business days after shipping notification is received.

Western Australia (WA) customers, please be advised that orders may at times take a little longer to reach your address.

International Shipping

Complimentary standard shipping on orders over $500AUD for international destinations.

Express shipping is available at an additional cost.

Delivery timeframes

For standard deliveries, your order should arrive 14-21 business days after shipping notification is received.

If you’ve opted for express delivery, your order should arrive 5-7 business days after shipping notification is received.

Frequently asked questions about Shipping

Can I track my order?

Yes, you can. Once your order has been shipped, you will receive email confirmation of your shipping details and tracking number.

Will I need to sign for my order?

Orders over $300AUD will require signature on delivery. You may also request a signature on delivery for orders under $300AUD.

Does Kalaurie replace items lost or damaged in transit?

No, Kalaurie does not replace nor accept responsibility for orders lost or damaged in transit. Once your order has been collected by the carrier, its care is in their hands.

If you provide an incorrect delivery address, we won’t be responsible for the relocation of your item, nor do we replace items sent to the wrong address. So, please check your order summary closely before finalising your order.

To err on the side of caution, we also encourage you to think carefully before providing delivery carriers with authority to leave parcels unattended, to reduce the risk of orders going missing.

If I choose express shipping, will my order be made faster?

Please note that if you purchase 'Express Shipping' this does not mean your order moves up the production queue, production times still apply. It only means a quicker shipping service will be used.

How do I request a signature on delivery for my order?

If you would like to request a ‘signature on delivery’ for your order, please email contact@kalaurie.com.au

Which currency is used?

All prices are shown in Australian dollars (AUD). Orders shipped outside of Australia will be subject to exchange rate determined by Paypal at time of purchase.

I still have questions, who can I speak to about the order process?

Kalaurie is happy to answer questions you may have about the following:

• production timelines
• shipping rates

You’re also welcome to email us with any other general enquiries. Simply send your question to contact@kalaurie.com.au and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Alternatively, send us a direct message via Kalaurie’s Instagram page.

Will orders made outside of Australia incur custom taxes?

All international customers are responsible for custom taxes on delivery and by law we must mark the full value of the parcel of the customs slip.

Returns

Terms and conditions of returns

• You may return your Kalaurie order for a refund, exchange or credit voucher within 7 days of receiving your order.
• Returned items must be unworn and in their original condition.
• Items to be returned or exchanged must be sent back to the atelier within 7 days (for Australian orders) and within 21 days (for international orders) of you receiving your item.
• Custom made and altered garments are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged.
• You’re responsible for the cost of posting the item you wish to return back to the atelier. If you’re exchanging your item, we’ll cover the cost of sending your new item back to you.

How to return your Kalaurie garment

To request a return or exchange, please email contact@kalaurie.com.au and we’ll let you know what steps you’ll need to take.

If you need to return an item to the atelier that’s valued at more than $300 AUD, we recommend you add tracking to the postage order.

As we cannot guarantee that we’ll receive items returned via post, you may also choose to purchase shipping insurance as a precautionary measure.

Exchanges

All Kalaurie garments are manufactured, by hand, on a made-to-order basis. So, if you’d like to exchange your returned item, the new garment will need to be made in the atelier before it’s posted to you.

For this reason, your exchange will be added to the production schedule and wait times may apply.

Order cancellations

If an order is cancelled, processing fees apply. Note that orders may only be cancelled if the manufacturing process has not yet begun. Garments actively in production cannot be cancelled at any time.

Refunds

To request a refund, return your item to the atelier for inspection. We’ll let you know when we’re received the returned items and notify you of the status of your refund request.

Approved refunds will be credited to the debit card, credit card or Paypal account used to make the original order.

Faulty items

Kalaurie aims to provide you with garments of the highest standard and quality. In the rare event that your garment is faulty, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing contact@kalaurie.com.au

We will then organise a refund or exchange.

Please note that items damaged due to wear and tear are not considered faulty.