Bespoke Terms & Conditions
Your GJK Commission Guide
The little details before the big reveal.
Thank you for choosing to commission a piece from Gillie Jean King and support an independent creative business. I can’t wait to hear what you have in mind!
Every GJK garment is made to order, with plenty of thought, skill and attention to detail going into creating something that feels completely yours. Whether you have every detail planned or just a wee spark of an idea, we’ll work together to bring it to life.
I want the whole experience to feel exciting, welcoming and straightforward, with no awkward surprises along the way. So, before we get started, here’s everything you need to know about how commissions work, what’s included and the costs involved.
Have a wee read through, and if anything isn’t clear, just ask. I’d much rather answer a question now than have you wondering later!
1. Consultations & Quotes
Your initial consultation via email or Instagram DM is free, with no obligation to book. It’s a chance to chat through your ideas, design, fabrics, embellishments and budget.
In-person consultations and fittings are charged at £50 per appointment, with the initial fitting fee included in your commission deposit.
Quotes are based on the information available at the time, including your design, fabric choices and embellishments. If your design changes once work has begun, the price and completion date may need to change too.
Quotes are valid for 28 days. All prices are in GBP (£).
2. Booking Your Commission
GJK commissions are booked in advance, and your place in the sewing schedule is only secured once your £250 deposit has been paid.
The deposit goes towards the total cost of your garment and must be paid before work begins. Paying your deposit confirms that you accept these terms and conditions.
Deposits are non-refundable in the event of cancellation. Please make sure you're happy to go ahead before booking your slot.
If you're using a GJK gift voucher, its value will be deducted from the final balance. If you have any questions about using a voucher, email gilliejeanking@gmail.com.
3. Working Together
This is a collaborative process, and your input matters! I'll work with you to bring your ideas to life, using my design and technical expertise to create a garment that feels fabulous and works for your needs.
If you change your mind about the design once work has started, additional work will be charged at £30 per hour, and your deadline and final price may need to be revised.
Please speak up if you have any concerns about the design or fit during the process. The earlier we can address something, the easier it is to put right.
Once your garment is complete, paid for and accepted, any further changes will be treated as new work and may incur additional charges.
4. Deadlines & Turnaround
Bespoke garments take time, skill and a fair bit of sewing-machine magic. Most commissions take around 5–12 weeks, sometimes longer depending on the complexity of the design and my existing workload.
Please tell me about any important deadlines when you first enquire. I'll always do my best to accommodate them, but a deadline isn't guaranteed unless we've specifically agreed to it in writing.
You'll also need to help keep things moving by providing measurements, approving designs, attending fittings and making payments when agreed.
Delays in providing information, attending appointments or approving designs may affect your completion date. If a delay becomes significant, I may need to revise the schedule or cancel the commission in line with the cancellation terms.
Rush commissions are considered on a case-by-case basis and may incur an additional fee. I won't accept an urgent commission unless I'm confident I can deliver it in time.
5. Cancellations & Refunds
Because each garment is made specifically for you, I can't offer refunds simply because you've changed your mind about a design or no longer want the item.
If you cancel after booking, your £250 deposit is non-refundable. Any additional payments will be assessed against work already completed and reasonable costs incurred, including design work, pattern cutting, labour and materials purchased for your commission. Any refund due will be calculated accordingly, with an itemised breakdown of costs where applicable.
Completed commissions must be paid for in full. Any materials you've supplied will be returned at your expense once outstanding payments have been settled.
Deposits forfeited through cancellation cannot be transferred as credit towards a future commission.
If circumstances arise that mean we can no longer work together, I'll discuss the situation with you and handle any cancellation in line with these terms and applicable consumer law.
Nothing in this policy affects your statutory rights if a garment is faulty or doesn't meet the agreed requirements.
6. Measurements
For local commissions, I'll take your measurements and draft your pattern specifically for you. Accurate measuring and pattern cutting are a big part of what you're paying for, and they're essential to getting the best possible fit.
For long-distance commissions, you'll be responsible for providing your measurements. Your pattern will be drafted using the measurements supplied, so please follow my instructions carefully and ask if you're unsure about anything.
Measurements should be taken wearing the underwear or clothing you intend to wear beneath your finished garment.
If pregnancy, illness, recovery or significant weight changes may affect your measurements, please let me know so we can plan accordingly.
If your measurements change significantly between fittings, additional pattern work, mock-ups or garment alterations may be required and charged at £30 per hour.
7. Fittings & Appointments
All appointments are by arrangement. Studio fittings take place in Bridgeton, Glasgow, and appointments are generally available between 10am and 6pm.
Fittings cost £50 per appointment. Appointments at another location may be possible, with travel charged at £20 per hour for the journey to and from the studio, in addition to the fitting fee.
Please bring the underwear and shoes you intend to wear with your finished garment. Without them, it may not be possible to complete your fitting, and additional time may be charged at £30 per hour.
Appointments usually last up to an hour, although more complex garments may need longer and several fittings. Good things take time!
Please attend alone unless we've agreed otherwise in advance. If you need to cancel or rearrange, give at least 48 hours' notice. Missed appointments without sufficient notice incur a £50 fee.
8. Long-Distance Fittings
Can't make it to Glasgow? We can arrange fittings remotely.
Where required, I'll post a toile (a mock-up of your garment) to you. Postage is at your expense, both ways. I'll include instructions to help you assess the fit and mark any adjustments.
It's helpful to have a friend or family member assist you, particularly when checking the back and side seams. Please wear the underwear and shoes intended for the finished garment.
Once you've pinned or marked any adjustments, take clear photographs from the front, back and sides and send them to me. We can also arrange a live fitting over video call where appropriate.
The toile must be returned so I can make the necessary pattern adjustments before constructing your final garment.
I'll guide you through the process as much as possible, but remote fittings rely on accurate measurements, photographs and feedback. As I can't physically measure or fit you myself, the final fit depends partly on the information and adjustments provided. Please tell me honestly what feels right and what doesn't — I can't read minds, even with a very good sewing machine!
9. Fabrics & Materials
We'll discuss fabrics, colours, embellishments and finishes during your initial consultation. I'll usually source suitable materials on your behalf, using my experience to find options that work for your design, budget and the way the garment needs to perform.
For long-distance clients, I can send photographs of fabric options by email or DM. If you'd like physical swatches posted to you, postage costs will be your responsibility.
You're welcome to supply your own materials, but it's your responsibility to ensure they're suitable for the garment. I reserve the right to decline materials that aren't appropriate for the intended design or construction.
I'm happy to advise on suitability, but if you choose to proceed with an unsuitable fabric against my recommendation, I can't guarantee the result will meet your expectations.
Please purchase the quantity of fabric advised. If there's not enough material to complete the agreed design, this may affect the finished garment and its deadline.
Any substantial leftover fabric you've supplied will be returned with your garment. Materials purchased by GJK remain my property unless otherwise agreed, and you'll only be charged for the materials allocated to your commission.
10. Patterns & Design
Every pattern drafted for your GJK commission remains the intellectual property of Gillie Jean King and is not included in the sale of the finished garment.
Patterns are retained on file for up to 24 months. If you'd like to commission another garment using the same pattern during that period, a discount may be available, depending on the design and work involved.
11. Payments & Collection
Payment arrangements will be agreed with you before work begins. Depending on the value of your commission, payment may be split into instalments, with the amounts and due dates set out in your invoice.
Payment is preferably made by bank transfer. Your invoice will contain the details you need.
Please contact me in advance if you need to discuss a payment date. If a payment is missed without communication, I reserve the right to pause work or cancel the commission in line with these terms.
Because the sewing schedule is planned around multiple clients, late payments may affect your completion date. Orders may be placed on hold until outstanding payments are received. If an order remains on hold for three months, the cancellation policy may apply.
Your balance must be paid in full, and the funds must have cleared, before your garment can be collected or dispatched. Please allow up to three working days for bank transfers.
When you receive your garment, please check it against the agreed design and let me know promptly if you have any concerns. Any issues should be raised within two days of delivery where possible, so we can discuss them while everything is fresh.
This doesn't remove any statutory rights you may have in relation to faults or work that doesn't meet the agreed requirements.
12. Aftercare & Repairs
Your GJK garment has had plenty of time, skill and care put into it, so please give it a little love in return!
Follow the care instructions provided at your final fitting, particularly when it comes to delicate fabrics, embellishments and specialist finishes.
Once your garment has been accepted, any future repairs or modifications will be considered separately and may incur additional charges. GJK specialises in bespoke commissions and doesn't offer a general alterations service.
If you believe something is wrong because of the original workmanship, please get in touch so I can assess the issue and discuss an appropriate solution.
Even the most beautifully made garment will experience wear and tear over time, so handle it with care and store it appropriately between outings.
A final wee note:
Thank you for taking the time to read through the guide. I know it's not quite as exciting as choosing sequins, planning a dramatic entrance or seeing your finished garment for the first time, but being clear about the details makes the whole process easier for everyone.
If you have any questions before booking, just get in touch. I'm always happy to talk things through.
Now, let's make something phenomenal!
:)