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Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below for answers to common questions from customers
Customer Service
What is the best way to contact you?
You can contact us by phone 01392 327896, email hello@aura-bespoke.com, via our contact form, via social media or you can make an appointment with us by booking a consultation.
We are based in the USA. Do you ship to the US?
Yes, we provide our services worldwide. Shipping costs varying based on the destination.
Please be aware that if you're ordering from outside the UK, your order may be subject to local customs charges, which are beyond our control. For full shipping rates please see our shipping information page.
Can i choose the delivery courier?
We offer suitable delivery options using Royal Mail, DHL and a specialist agent depending on the value, location and size of your order.
For further information on delivery please refer to our delivery page. For items of high value, we will also provide necessary insurance.
Order Queries
How long will it take to dispatch my garment?
Our garments are made to order, and as standard we require 6- 8 weeks for garments to be dispatched from receipt of order.
If you require your order before this, we can discuss your requirements and do provide a premium ordering service for priority orders, this would need to be agreed in advance of your order.
Why don't some of your products have prices?
Our bespoke pieces are meticulously handcrafted to each client’s unique specifications, with the final price depending greatly on the choice of fabrics and trims. Because these elements can vary immensely, we need to discuss your requirements in detail before providing an accurate quotation.
This ensures that every aspect of your design is considered, allowing us to tailor the piece precisely to your needs.
What fabrics does Aura use?
Aura sources its fabrics from the finest British mills, offering everything from intricate damasks made from 100% silk to 100% wool barathea.
While we have a curated selection of high-quality fabrics, we are also able to source specific cloths or trims based on your unique requirements through our network of approved suppliers.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept a range of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal. Details will be provided during the ordering process.
Can I schedule a consultation for my order?
Yes, we encourage consultations to ensure we fully understand your requirements. Consultations can be scheduled either in person at our atelier or via video call for international clients.
Academic Regalia Queries
What customisation options are available for academic gowns?
We offer extensive customisation options, including fabric choice, colour, trims, embroidery, and design modifications to meet your institution’s specific requirements.
How long does it take to receive a custom-made gown?
The production time for a bespoke gown typically ranges from 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design and current production schedules. We will provide an estimated delivery time during the consultation.
Can you match existing academic gowns for new orders?
Yes, we can design and manufacture gowns that match your existing collection. We would require either photographs or access to the original garments to ensure an accurate match.
Do you offer alterations for existing gowns?
Absolutely, we specialise in altering senior officers' gowns to ensure a perfect fit. Whether it’s adjusting the size or modifying the design to reflect a change in position, we can tailor the garment to your needs.
What fabrics do you use in your gowns?
We source our fabrics from the finest British mills. For officers robes we can provide a range of high quality damasks with varying colour and compositions to meet your needs.
Our damask and brocades are all sourced from our UK based approved supplier. For doctoral robes we can provide a range of options from a polyester to 100% woo barathea depending on the colour and fabric composition requirements. If you have specific fabric or trim requirements, we can source these from our network of approved suppliers.
How do I care for my academic gown?
We recommend professional dry cleaning for all our garments. Proper storage in a cool, dry place will also help maintain the quality of the fabric and the integrity of the design.
Can I order a sample or swatch before committing to a full order?
Yes, we can provide fabric swatches and design samples to help you make an informed decision before placing your full order.
If we provide initial designs of our officers' gown requirements, can you create a garment to match the design?
Yes, we have extensive experience in the design and production of academic officers' robes.
We can either create a design for your approval or work from a design you provide. Our officers' robes are made to order in our Devon atelier, allowing us to customise gowns to meet your requirements while adhering to your institution's academic dress regulations.
We have a set of existing gowns that we would like to match. Can you help?
If you have an existing set of officers' gowns and need additional robes due to new appointments, we can design and manufacture matching gowns. We would require either photos of the existing gown or the opportunity to see it in person.
We would also recommend a site visit to take the officers' measurements. Following this, we will prepare a formal proposal and provide samples of the fabrics and trims.
We have our officers' gowns, but we have a new staff member, and the gown does not fit. Can you help?
We specialise in alterations for senior officers' robes. Where possible, we can alter the existing gown to accommodate changes in size, such as adjusting the gown and wing sleeves or adding features to fit a larger chest width.
Additionally, if the gown’s design does not match the new staff member’s hierarchical position, we can modify the gown accordingly.
What Universities do you do academic dress for?
We can provide academic gowns, hoods and hats for any university. You will need to supply the year of graduation, award level, faculty, awarding institution and your measurements (height, chest, and head circumference).
Our robes are made to made to order from the finest cloth and the price will depend on the cloth and complexity of each garment.
I graduated from an overseas university. can you help?
Yes we can provide academic dress for overseas universities. We will require the institution name, award level, year of graduation and if available a photograph of the robes.
Will you be making academic hoods, and if so will you use the old Wippell's patterns?
We are able to make academic hoods in line with the academic dress regulation of the institution.
We can work with the published regulations available to you can provide these to us with the accompanying year of graduation to ensure these are correct. As former J. Wippell employees we are highly experienced in academic dress manufacturing. Our academic attire will be handcrafted in Exeter using the Aura patterns.
Company Queries
I have not heard of Aura, what can aura offer?
Purchasing from Aura means investing in exceptional quality, bespoke craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of traditional attire.
Our garments are meticulously handcrafted in our Devon atelier, ensuring each piece is tailored to meet your specific needs and institutional standards. With years of experience in designing and producing academic robes, we offer unparalleled customisation options, from fabric selection to intricate detailing.
At Aura, we pride ourselves on providing a personalised service, whether you require a single gown or an entire suite of garments. We take the time to understand your requirements, offering expert advice and support throughout the process. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the initial purchase, with ongoing services such as alterations and matching new robes to existing collections.
I'm not sure on the specifications for my academic dress, but would like to order, can you help?
Yes, we would recommend booking a consultation to ensure we fully understand your requirements. Consultations can be scheduled either in person at our atelier or via video call for international clients.
Clergy Queries
I have a Wippell garment that has come to the end of life but I would like a replica, can you provide it if I send you the garment?
Yes we can provide a replica garment. We would need to see a photo of the garment and be provided the size. Alternatively, we can take these details from the garment if you send this to us.
I am after a fully tailored cassock with red purple trim, can you provide this?
Yes we are still developing our website. We can provide both ready to wear and fully tailored, custom cassocks depending on your requirements.
How do I know what size to order?
With every garment we provide sizing guides to provide the information you need to order the correct size for you. We also provide guidance on how to take your measurements. If you have concerns on whether the size is correct, please contact us before ordering.
I have recently been ordained and need some help with measurements and basic garment requirements.
We can provide a measuring service by appointment only, from our artlier at Exeter business centre. During the appointment we can discuss your requirements and provide a personal one to one service to answer any queries. Alternatively , you can book a consultation online.
Luxury Queries
I am looking for a small batch manufacturer to make a garment.
Yes we can provide services from pattern creation and sampling to small batch manufacturing.
We would need information on the garment, whether the patterns already exist, the number of sizes, colourways and any technical specifications you have. If not these will need to be created before manufacturing starts.
Can you provide judicial gowns?
We can provide various judicial gowns. Aura’s staff have experience of manufacturing a variety of judicial garments. If you have detailed information about the garment and a photo, we can look at the possibilities for you.