FAQ
ACHTUNG: Important
changes in ordering sizes and new fitting option! Please read 1-3 carefully. :)
1. What sizes are these, are they available in mine?
2. OMG measuring? How is that I don't even.
3. Option remote fitting
4. How do I give you my measurements and other info?
5. I want this shop item completely custom made with fittings and all! Can I?
6. Can I have this item different in some way? I like long sleeves.
7. I have this idea of my own! Can you make it?
8. It's my girlfriend's birthday! What do I give her? Argh! And what's this
gift certificate?
9. This thing doesn't fit. Can I return it?
10. This looks different than I thought. Can I return it?
11. Why is your stuff so expensive?
12. Why is your stuff so cheap?
13. Do you ship with a tracking number?
14. Do you need pictures? Can I borrow your items for a shoot?
15. How can you use fur and leather? The animals!
16. The model is too skinny. Gross.
17. I have a picture of me in this item from you! Want to see?
1. What sizes are
these available in?
Yours. I sew by measurements of the buyer!
Until recently all items were available in standard sizes (women's 4 - 12
and gentlemen's XS - XL), however in my few years experience it became apparent
that the most satisfactory results for all involved where always achieved by
working with the customer's measurements. (Since you needed to know your
measurements in order to compare to my size chart there was no escaping
measuring yourself anyway. ;) )
Therefore around 95% of the items are now only available by measurements and
about 5% are still available also as standard sizes. Here are the size
charts:
Size Chart Women:
Size / bust / waist / hip:
4 : 31.5 / 24,8 / 34,3
6 : 33 / 26,4 / 36,2
8 : 34,6 / 28 / 37,8
10 : 36 / 29,5 / 39,4
12 : 37,8 / 31,5 /
40,5
Size Chart Men:
Size / chest / waist / hip:
XS: 34,5 / 30 / 36
S: 36 / 31,5 / 38
M: 38 / 33 / 39
L: 39 / 34,5 / 41
XL 41 / 36,5 /
42,5
For sizes in centimeters, please switch to german view.
2. OMG measuring? How is that even possible?
While measuring, please stand straight, but comfortably.
If you will wear a bra under the item you are ordering, please measure bust
while wearing a bra as well. Please check that the measuring tape is
always clearly and straightly horizontal / vertical, using a mirror or asking a
friend is a good idea. :)
If measuring yourself is not an option at all, you are welcome to tell me your
clothing size, however this is not nearly as accurate and will be treated as an
order by measurement on the items that do not have the standard size option (re
returns, please read FAQs #9 and #10).
Alternatively, I'm sure your local alterations shop will measure you for not
much money!
1. height: of course, measure barefoot from your center parting to the floor
2. neck circumference: place measuring tape horizontally, firm (but not
constricting) and measure circumference
3. bust: like 2., at the widest point of the bust
4. under bust: like 2., where the bra sits
5. waist: like 2
6. small hip: like 2., about where a jeans waistband will sit
7. full hip: like 2., at the widest point of your hip, read: your butt
8. leg length: measure vertically from crotch to floor (but not in pumps like
our figurine! :P )
9. thigh circumference: like 2., at thigh's widest point, around the upper
third
10. calf circumference: like 2., at calf's widest point, around the upper
third
11. knee length: measure vertically from crotch to mid knee(but not in pumps
like our figurine! :P )
12. front waist length: measure vertically from front neck point to waist
13. back waist length: measure vertically from back neck point to waist
14. crotch measurement: place measuring tape at front waist point and measure
past crotch to back waist point
Don't worry, this all looks super complicated but for most items I only need
the basics - bust, waist, butt, height. :)
3. Option remote fitting
My prototypes are made to fit measurements 31,5" / 24,5" / 34"
(cm 80/63/87) with a height of 5'8" (1,74m). Many items are a bit complex
and human bodies aren't standardized.
If you often have trouble with the right fit, you're notably taller or shorter
than 5'8" or just want to be on the safe side, I offer a fitting even if
you aren't in Berlin. What you need for this is skype, pins, scissors and a
ruler or measuring tape.
When ordering, you specify that you'd like a fitting. I then alter the pattern
according to your measurements / size and sew a sample piece in a dull fabric,
which I send to you. You try on the sample and we conduct the fitting via
skype. Afterwards, I do the additional alterations and send you the final item!
:)
I charge a third of the listed product price for the fitting (plus shipping*).
Should a second fitting be necessary (depending on complexity of the chosen
item and body type this might be the case) I charge half of
the original fitting price for the second fitting.
(So if, for example, you chose Blouse C White for 229,00€, then the first
fitting is 76,33€ and the second fitting is 38,16€.)
(* if you don't want a tracking number then shipping is around 2,20€ in germany
and 3,50€ international.)
4. How do I give you
my measurements or any other information?
When you click on "display shopping basket", a box appears for order
and delivery comment. Anything relevant goes in there!
5. I want this shop item completely personally custom made for me and
only me, with fittings and the whole shebang! Can I?
Provided that it's possible for you to come to my work shop a few times
for fittings (or fly me out), then of course it is! Depending on the garment,
one appointment may be enough, for something more elaborate, or if changes are
desired, it might take longer.
Generally, my rate (for changes in pattern, fittings, etc.) is 40,00 € an hour,
but naturally I would quote you an estimation after a detailed consultation.
6. Can I have this item in black / blue / white / shorter / with lace?
Probably, but depends. Send me an email at info@anthracite.de :)
7. I have this idea of my own for something very special! Can you make it?
I'd love to.
Ordering a custom made piece of a design after your own ideas generally gives
you the following package: Consultation, and collective brainstorming, 1-4
designs (of which you can chose one or combine elements), 1-3 fittings
(depending on changes or complexity of pattern), a range of color, fabric and
material options, and of course the final piece.
Your homework is letting me know as exactly as possible what you're envisioning, pictures really help with this (photos, magazines, sleeve details, fabric, anything. If there is an element in a picture you like, bring the picture!). Of course, you would also have to find the time to visit my work room a few times during the process. I have done fittings via skype and sent fabric samples, but it works so much better in person.
Due to the high investment of time and effort to get a project like this perfect, the price starts at 500€ for wishes with simpler patterns, the final charge depends on a number of elements (expenses, fabric prices, pattern complexity, changes at short notice, etc.) and can only be determined after thoroughly discussing everything. :)
8. It's my friend's /
girlfriend's / boyfriend's / sister's / daughter's birthday! What do I get
him/her? Arrgh! And what's with this gift certificate?
Well, everything, of course. ;)
If you have her exact measurements then I can act as wise counsel and the order
just placed normally. Naturally, this isn't always the case and measuring her
without her knowledge is pretty tricky, right? Here is a list of items that
make great gifts because the fit isn't too complicated:
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Spring-Special-Dress-A-Blue
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Spring-Special-Dress-A-Pink
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Dress-G-Creme-Outfit-29
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Dress-F-BlackSilver-Outfit-30
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Dress-F-Gold-Outfit-28
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Dress-C-Striped-Outfit-13
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Oversized-Sweater-Outfit-26
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Dress-C-Silver-Outfit-13
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Dress-C-Gold-Outift-5
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Dress-C-BlackSilver-Outfit-13
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Skirt-B-Black
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Skirt-C-Brown
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Boxer-Shorts-Silver-Outfit-7
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Fussball-Shorts-Outfit-8
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Halscorsage-Gold-Outfit-9
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/NeckCorset-Green-Outfit-8
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Belt-B-Silver-Outfit-28
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Belt-B-Bronze
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Belt-A-Silver
And all the bikini tops here: http://www.anthracite-shop.de/Tops
Of course I still need a rough estimation of her size, but these items forgive
if you do not have the exact measurements and still look great. If you have any
more questions, just ask, I'm happy to help. :)
You can find the gift certificate HERE.
How it works is explained in the product description, but here are the answers
to a few frequently asked questions:
- If your shop account is created in english then the gift certificate will
automatically be made in english! If you'd like it in german, please let me
know as well.
- The listed price of 1€ is, of course, rather symbolic since you need to tell
me the price. :)
- The delivery address should declare where the finished product should be
shipped to. So probably, your friend.
9. I received my order
but it doesn't fit. Can I return it?
If you chose a standard size (XS-XL), then yes.
If you told me your specific measurements, unfortunately not. However, with custom made items, up to two separate alteration appointments can me made at half the ordinary hourly rate.
Please read my
TOS and return policy carefully:
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/AGB
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/return-policy
A guaranteed perfect custom fit is only possibly by made-to-measure-tailoring,
in which a number of fittings are done to create a perfectly fitting
garment. In most cases, this is unrealistic due to the invested costs and
time. But since so many people don't fit into a generic size system, I am
offering the medium ground explained above.
In my experience, this is a good solution with around 95% satisfaction.
Even so, I cannot give an absolute guarantee, since a faulty fit can be due to
a plethora of factors (not lastly, incorrect measuring), this is not a valid
return reason. Payments made can unfortunately not be refunded, since I am
unable to resell an item which has been custom made for a customer.
10. This looks
different than I expected, can I return it?
If you ordered a standard size, yes.
But honestly? If it was a joke order with the intention or inclination of
sending it back, that really sucks.
I am one single person who is dedicated to each order. I listen to you and try
to fulfil your requests. I don't have a warehouse full of stock mass produced
in Asia. Even the patterns of standard sizes, in practice, need to be changed
or made 99% of the time, since I don't have employees who do this for me for
over 90 items.
So I alter the pattern (this alone may take days, depending), drive around town
an hour to the fabric wholesaler, another hour for other necessities (zippers,
thread, buttons, etc.), another half hour to the other place because the first
one was out of this one fabric. Then I cut everything and sew every tiny little
detail together as perfectly as possible (even button holes are hand sewn) with
a ton of love, taking care that it wil last, possibly, a life time.
Sewing one item will easily take one or more days. Or a week.
I usually have 12 hour work days, often longer, to make this possible. Broken
down, my hourly wage is ridiculous, because in spite of all this, I still want
to keep the clothes affordable for you. Please reflect for a moment
whether you would work a number of days for the price you paid? Probably
not.
And furthermore, every piece looks exactly like the product image and
description.
I encourage you to please ask any questions you might have! I'll very
gladly send you additional photos or fabric samples should anything be
unclear.
My intention with this is not to indulge in obnoxious self pity. I want
to clarify that a shoulder shrug and return shipment means, for me, working for
days and putting my heart and soul and comittment into it for nothing. I
also don't have nearly the amount of orders for it to be a probability that
another person will order that exact item in that exact size again next
week.
If something about the item is really bad and I made a mistake, I can completey
understand you not wanting it. But if you think you'll just order, so
what? then now at least you know that it does matter and has repercussions for
me.
I know my tone is a bit harsh, but imagine working a week on something that is
supposed to be perfect for someone, and then that person just discards it and
you can think about where your rent money will come from.
11. Why is your stuff so expensive?
Because I don't exploit workers who live in a shack in Bangladesh.
Even though I love my job so much that I would also do it if money wasn't an issue (in a utopian world), I still want to earn a living. I did not choose fashion for the money, in fact, most designers can't live off their work. Would I want a reliable income I would be anything besides fashion person.
But if you subtract all my expenses (material and fabric costs, shop fees, mandatory health insurance, etc.) and think about what you get (custom made items, individualized items, small scale series or unique one-of-a-kinds) and how much time and effort goes into that then my stuff isn't all that outrageously expensive.
Here is an in depth analysis of price calculation.
12. Why is your stuff so cheap?
It's important to me to not be financially elitist. I want to be fairly
reimbursed for my abilities, time and effort, but I want "regular"
people to still be able to afford the items. I want an authenticity and to be
there for people who identify with what Anthracite is, not cater to only a tiny
percentage of people selected solely through wealth, or, god forbid, an
overpriced hype.
13. Do you provide a tracking number?
Of course, I ship all orders with a tracking number and keep it on file
for 90 days, but since it usually isn't necessary I don't automatically give
the tracking number out to the customer. It's available upon request at any
time though!
14. I'm a photographer / editor / stylist, can I have your clothes for a
shoot, or do you need images of the items?
Thank you so much for the offer (honestly!), but I do all the photography
myself and take care of all the product images without any problems. :)
I am very happy to rent out the items for shoots, I do love seeing new
perspectives of other photographers.
I charge 10% of the listed shop price per day, so you can have the items for
about 3€-50€, depending on which you choose. I can, of course, send the
desired items to location by post if the shipping costs are covered.
Realistically, I plan one - two days before and one day after shooting for the
handling of the items, that means: they should be picked up one day before the
shoot or shipped in a short but reasonable time span (depending on where you
are located) before and brought back or shipped the day afterwards. These days
are free of charge.
Should the items not be shipped the day after the shoot I must insist on
charging the full rent price (10% of shop price) for each extended day.
Due to past negative experiences, I must insist on signing a short contract in
best interest of all parties involved, in which the terms are recorded as well
as the condition of the items. Should I not receive an item, or if it is
damaged in a way that exceeds normal wear, you are obligated to compensate the
full listed shop price. If your image of (or with) my items appears in
print with credits, I will reimburse you any previous charges.
Additionally, I need to note that I am only able to rent out the prototypes.
Some of these have smaller faults or signs of wear. (They are prototypes after
all, and have been used for a bunch of photoshoots. :) )
For photos, this is usually insignificant, but of course I will let you know,
should it apply to the requested items.
15. How can you use fur and leather? The animals!
I know. Therefore I use faux fur and faux leather exclusively. These
materials are of such high quality by now that it's nearly impossible to
distinguish between real and imitation.
Since I start crying at the mere possibility of animal cruelty, I chose to
refrain from using animal products.
By the way, 10% of all items sold are donated to non profit organizations which
help animals, you can make a little difference with your purchase and ease some
suffering of animals. The donation will go to, for example, the Berlin animal
shelter or street dogs in Thailand (http://www.soidog.org/) or bully specific
places which help educate and rescue (http://www.bullterrier-in-not.de/) or to
Ärtze für Tiere (http://www.aerztefuertiere.de/).
You are very welcome to request a certain organization for animals which you
would prefer to support. :)
16. The model is too skinny, gross!
Aha. Well, first of all, let me explain that I am the model. (I design,
sew, photograph and model all items.)
I do not suffer an eating disorder. My figure is determined by genetics,
healthy diet and exercise. Granted, my metabolism is ridiculous and I still
smoke, however I'm healthy. So, if you had well meant worries, then I'd like to
kindly invalidate them. :)
If you're just being spiteful, though, I'd like to ask you whether you know
what a projection is? Not every woman hates her body, and comments such as:
"... looks ghastly and ruins the product" or "... skeletal
clothes rack shortly before croaking" are ludicrous and not ok.
Please, mind your manners. Last I checked, I didn't comment on random people,
who weigh more than I, what fat pigs they were.
Insulting another woman's figure so drastically is completely inappropriate,
sexist and makes you look awful. Whether my images are considered
"art" or not and if the model is okay or not thenis not the subject
to debate, either. The only thing my (decidedly un-artistic) product images are
for is to showcase the items which are sold. Not to evaluate, judge or debase
any body types.
I am always very, very happy to receive constructive criticism on my work, but
the model's figure is totally a matter of taste and therefore not discussable.
Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the behholder, and it is unrealistic to
shoot product images catering to every imaginable aesthetic preference. But if
you like, you are very welcome to visit my People In My Clothes galleries, in
which customers have sent me images of themselves in the Anthracite items I
made for them. Many of them are not as thin as I am and look, of course,
remarkably fantastic. :)
gallery on anthracite.de
gallery on facebook
P.S. Guys who get insulting are usually just pissed because I have better abs
than they.
17. I have a picture of me in some clothes by you, want to see?
Absolutely! I'm always really, really happy to see photos! No matter if
it's a snapshot, your job application photo, a party picture webcam or
professional photograph, everything is great! If you want me to post it in
the People In My Clothes gallery, please send it to: info@anthracite.de
gallery on anthracite.de
gallery on facebook
Thanks!
