Industrial lockstitch
Even, consistent seams on suiting, cotton and fine wool.
Designer alterations in Brisbane CBD and the Gold Coast
Fitted the way the house intended.
The designer boutiques at David Jones send their clients to us. Our experienced tailors alter Hermès, Chanel, Saint Laurent and every label in between, on new industrial machines built for fine fabric.
Since 1999Altering fine garments in Brisbane
David JonesTrusted by its designer boutiques
Two studiosBrisbane CBD and Pacific Fair
Hermès, Chanel, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Burberry, Fendi, Balenciaga, Carla Zampatti, Veronika Maine, and many more
Trusted by David Jones designer boutiques
Bought it at David Jones? Most of the designer boutiques there send their alterations to us.
When you buy designer at David Jones, ask the boutique where to have it fitted. Chances are they'll send you to our workroom, because they trust us with the brands they sell.
- Buy your piece in storeShop the designer floors at David Jones as usual.
- Bring it to us with your receiptTell us which boutique you bought from so we know the garment's history.
- We fit, alter and press itThe same senior tailors the boutiques rely on handle your piece.
Ask our team about turnaround for pieces bought for an upcoming event. We'll tell you the earliest ready date at your fitting.
Every house builds differently.
A Burberry trench and a Chanel jacket need completely different work. Choose a house to see the pieces we alter most, the typical jobs, and what our tailors look out for.
Don't see your label? We alter most designer and luxury brands. Bring it in for a free assessment.
Hermès
Known for silk twill, fine leather and precise, minimal tailoring.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Silk dress hem, hand-rolled | 5–7 days |
| Leather jacket sleeves | 7–10 days |
| Cashmere coat length | 7–10 days |
- Silk shirts and dresses
- Leather jackets and skirts
- Cashmere coats
Silk and leather both keep needle holes, so every seam is measured and marked once, then sewn once.
Chanel
Known for bouclé jackets, braid trims and chain-weighted hems.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Jacket sleeves from shoulder | 10–14 days |
| Skirt taken in at waist | 7–10 days |
| Braid trim reset | 7–10 days |
- Bouclé and tweed jackets
- Tweed skirts
- Quilted-lined coats
Tweed frays fast and the braid is hand-applied. We reset trims by hand and keep the chain weight in place.
Gucci
Known for sharp tailoring, embroidery and signature stripe trims.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Suit trouser hem and taper | 3–5 days |
| Jacket waist suppression | 7–10 days |
| Hem below embroidery | 7–10 days |
- Suit jackets and trousers
- Embroidered pieces
- Dresses with stripe trims
Embroidery and stripe tape must still line up afterwards, so we plan the work around them.
Saint Laurent
Known for slim tuxedos, satin lapels and close-cut trousers.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Tuxedo trouser hem | 3–5 days |
| Blazer sleeves at cuff | 5–7 days |
| Leather jacket body | 7–10 days |
- Tuxedo jackets and trousers
- Blazers
- Leather jackets
Satin lapels and side stripes mark easily. We press through cloth and keep the slim line intact.
Burberry
Known for cotton gabardine trench coats and check linings.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Trench length | 7–10 days |
| Sleeves with strap reset | 7–10 days |
| Body taken in | 7–10 days |
- Trench coats
- Car coats
- Check-lined jackets
When shortening a trench we keep the storm flap, belt loops and straps in proportion and match the check.
Fendi
Known for leather, shearling, fur trims and luxury knitwear.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Shearling jacket sleeves | 10–14 days |
| Fur trim refitted | 10–14 days |
| Knit resized | 5–7 days |
- Leather and shearling jackets
- Fur-trimmed coats
- Knitwear
Shearling and fur are cut from the skin side and joined so the pile hides the seam.
Balenciaga
Known for exaggerated shapes, volume and technical fabrics.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Sleeve length only | 5–7 days |
| Trouser hem | 3–5 days |
| Coat length, with advice | 7–10 days |
- Oversized outerwear
- Hoodies and technical jackets
- Trousers
Volume is the design. We advise on what can change, such as length, without losing the silhouette.
Carla Zampatti
Known for structured dresses, jumpsuits and modern suiting.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Dress taken in | 5–7 days |
| Jumpsuit rise and length | 7–10 days |
| Suit trouser hem | 3–5 days |
- Sheath and wrap dresses
- Jumpsuits
- Suit jackets and trousers
Structured waist seams and invisible zips are refitted so the clean line of the dress stays the same.
Veronika Maine
Known for tailored workwear, dresses and relaxed suiting.
| Typical jobs | Usually ready in |
|---|---|
| Trouser hem | 2–3 days |
| Dress hem | 3–5 days |
| Blazer sleeves | 5–7 days |
- Tailored trousers
- Work dresses
- Blazers
Everyday pieces deserve the same care. We fit them for comfort through a full working day.
Before
After
Small changes, a different jacket.
Most designer pieces need only a few centimetres to fit perfectly. Drag the slider to see what a typical jacket alteration does to the silhouette.
- Sleeves shortened from the cuff−3.5 cm
- Waist suppressed at side seams−4 cm
- Body length shortened−3 cm
Illustration only. Upload your own before and after photos in the section settings.
Experienced hands. New industrial machines.
1999
The year we opened in Brisbane. We've been altering fine garments ever since.
Designer fabrics leave no room for a second attempt. Silk shows every needle hole, leather keeps every stitch mark, and tweed can unravel in minutes. So designer work goes to our most experienced tailors, using new industrial equipment built for precision.
Senior tailors onlyDesigner pieces are never handed to trainees.
One tailor per pieceThe person who pins your fitting does the work.
Hand finishingTrims, linings and buttons are finished by hand.
Walking-foot machine
Feeds leather and heavy coating without slipping or marking.
Blind-stitch hemmer
Hems that stay invisible from the outside of the garment.
Industrial overlockers
Clean, durable finishes inside knits and delicate fabrics.
Steam press and vacuum table
Sets every seam and restores the original finish before you collect.
Estimate your alteration.
Choose your garment and the work you need for an indicative starting price. We'll confirm the exact quote at your fitting.
Indicative price
$0
Select the work you need
- Nothing selected yet
Starting prices only. Final quote is given at your fitting.
Book a fittingHow a designer alteration works
Five steps, two fittings, and no surprises on price.
Fitting
You try the garment on and we pin it on you, so we see exactly how it sits.
Assessment
We check the construction, seam allowance and lining before promising anything.
Quote
You get a clear price and ready date. If a change would harm the piece, we tell you.
Alteration
A senior tailor does the work, keeping original labels, trims and hardware.
Final fitting
You try it on after pressing. We adjust anything that isn't right.
What we alter
From a simple trouser hem to rebuilding a coat lining, all designer work happens in our own workroom.
Jackets and coats
- Sleeves at cuff or shoulder
- Body taken in or let out
- Shoulders narrowed
- Coat and trench lengths
- Linings replaced
Dresses and eveningwear
- Hems, original hem kept
- Bodice and waist fitting
- Straps and necklines
- Zips replaced to match
- Beading reset
Trousers and skirts
- Hems, with or without cuffs
- Waist and seat
- Tapering the leg
- Skirt lengths
- Waistband rebuilds
Leather and knitwear
- Leather jackets and skirts
- Shearling and fur trims
- Knitwear resizing
- Hardware replacement
- Button and snap repairs
Four things we never change.
An alteration should make a garment fit you, not make it a different garment.
- The labelsBrand, size and care labels are removed carefully and sewn back in place.
- The detailsOriginal buttons, chains, trims and hardware are kept and refitted.
- The fabricWe keep seam allowance where we can, so it can be let out again later.
- Our honestyIf an alteration would spoil the design, we'll say so and suggest what will work.
What our clients say
The boutique at David Jones sent me here for my trench. They matched the check perfectly and kept every strap in place.
I was nervous about my Chanel jacket. They explained exactly what they'd do and it came back looking untouched, just fitted.
They told me not to shorten my Balenciaga coat and suggested the sleeves instead. Best advice I've had.
Took in a Carla Zampatti dress for a wedding. Ready on time and the zip looked original.
Questions about designer alterations
I bought my piece at David Jones. Can I bring it straight to you?
Yes. Many of the designer boutiques at David Jones already refer their clients to us. Bring the garment and your receipt, and tell us which boutique you bought from.
How much does a designer alteration cost?
It depends on the garment and the work. Designer pieces often have linings, trims and hand finishing that take extra time. You get a fixed quote at your fitting before any work starts.
How long will it take?
Most designer alterations are ready within one to two weeks. If you need it for a particular date, tell us at your fitting and we'll confirm whether we can meet it.
Will altering my piece affect its resale value?
Careful alterations that keep labels, trims and seam allowance usually have little effect. Changes to the original design can. We'll talk you through this before we start.
Do I need an appointment?
Walk-ins are welcome, but we recommend booking a fitting for designer work so a senior tailor can assess your garment with you.
Can you alter a brand that isn't listed here?
Yes. We alter most designer and luxury labels. Bring the garment in and we'll assess it for free.
Book a designer fitting.
Tell us about your piece and we'll call to confirm a time with a senior tailor.
Brisbane CBD
Shop 38/198 Adelaide Street
ANZAC Square Arcade, Brisbane QLD
Gold Coast
Pacific Fair, Shop 111/32 Hooker Boulevard
Broadbeach Waters QLD 4218
Open 10am to 5pm daily
The Fitting Room on Edward is an independent alterations studio. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by David Jones or any fashion house named on this page. Brand names are used only to describe the garments we alter and where they were purchased.
