FAQ
Welcome to our FAQs page! At Leela Lane, we understand that shopping for designer clothing involves careful consideration. Whether you’re curious about our collections, sizing, shipping, or our artisanal philosophy, we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find answers to help enhance your shopping experience.
FIT & SIZING
Because Leela Lane curates collections from various independent designers, each designer has their own specific size guide. To ensure the most accurate fit, please refer to the unique size chart found directly on the respective product page of the dress you are interested in. Since silhouettes range from structured to flowy, we recommend comparing your measurements (Bust, Waist, and Hips) against that specific designer's chart.
Need extra help? If you are between sizes or need guidance on how a particular designer's fit runs, our stylists are available for a Virtual Consultation or message us or call on 0452 329 599 to help you find the perfect fit.
FABRIC & CARE
Our dresses are made from premium, delicate fabrics and feature intricate hand-embroidery. To preserve their beauty:
- Dry Clean Only: We strictly recommend professional dry cleaning.
- Storage: Store your garment in a cool, dry place, ideally in the breathable garment bag. Avoid hanging heavy embellished pieces for long periods to prevent stretching.
The dresses are usually shot in natural light to give you the most accurate representation. However, because some fabrics are hand-dyed, prints and/or embroidery is done by hand, slight variations in shade and detail are a hallmark of an authentic, handcrafted piece—making your dress truly one-of-a-kind.
Orders
Yes! We welcome you to visit our Sydney boutique in Box Hill, NSW. You can Book an Appointment for a personalized styling session to explore our collections in person.
Ready to Ship: These are our curated pieces currently held in our boutique. They are dispatched within 48 hours—perfect for last-minute events.
Made-to-Order: These pieces are stitched specifically for you after your order is placed. This allows us to ensure the highest quality of hand-embroidery and reduces fabric waste. These typically take between 2 to 6 weeks to craft, depending on the specific designer.
We understand the importance of your special occasions! If you need a piece by a specific date, please message us or call on 0452 329 599 before purchasing. We will check our designers current schedule and let you know if a "rush order" is possible.
- Ready to ship: Our 'Ready to Ship' collection is curated for those who need elegance without the wait. To ensure your handcrafted piece reaches you in pristine condition, our team begins the quality-check and specialized packaging process upon receiving order. While this means we generally cannot pause or cancel an order once it is in motion, we are always here to help. If you have any urgent questions after hitting 'order,' please reach out to us right away—we’ll do our absolute best to assist before your parcel leaves our boutique.
We understand that sometimes plans change. For our handcrafted, Made-to-Order pieces, our process is as follows:
- Before Production: If you contact us and our designers have not yet commenced the hand-crafting of your dress, we are more than happy to update your order to a piece of equal or higher value, or issue a store credit for future use.
- Once Production Begins: Because these garments are created specifically for you, once our artisans have begun the cutting and embroidery process, we are unfortunately unable to cancel or change the order.
We recommend messaging us as soon as possible if you have any concerns so we can check the status with our design team for you.
To keep your order summary clear and concise, our invoices reflect the final purchase price agreed upon at checkout.
While our website displays the "Original" and "Sale" prices together to help you identify our current special offers while shopping, your formal invoice is a record of the actual amount paid.
- Discount Codes: If you applied an additional discount code at checkout, this will be itemized clearly on your invoice so you can see your total savings.
- Price Verification: Rest assured, the price you see on your order confirmation is the correct, discounted value as shown on the website at the time of purchase.
If you have any questions about your order total or need a breakdown of your savings, our team is always happy to assist you!
Returns & Exchange
At Leela Lane, we believe in Slow Fashion. Our dresses are not mass-produced; they are "Handmade with Love," meticulously crafted and delicately embroidered by our master artisans.
To maintain the highest standards of quality, we do not participate in the high-volume return cycles common in fast fashion. This ensures that every garment we ship has been kept in a controlled, professional environment and handled only by our team or under the careful guidance of our stylists in-store. By avoiding "change of mind" returns through the mail, we can guarantee that your dress arrives in pristine, boutique condition—fresh, beautiful, and ready for your special occasion.
We understand that every body is unique, and a dress may sit differently on you than on our models. To help you get the perfect fit the first time:
- Consult Our Size Guide: We provide detailed measurements for all our collections.
- Personalized Concierge: Reach out to us via WhatsApp or email before ordering. We love helping our customers find the right silhouette for their specific measurements.
- Mindful Selection: Since all sales are final (especially for Made-to-Order and Sale items), we encourage you to ask as many questions as you like before purchasing. We are here to help!
Every Leela Lane dress undergoes a rigorous multi-point quality check before it is securely packed. However, if you receive a product with a genuine defect:
- Record an Unboxing Video: As per our policy, you must take a clear video while opening your package. This protects both you and our designer's artisans.
- Notify us within 48 Hours: Contact us at info@leelalane.com.au with your video and photos.
- Our Promise: If a fault is verified, we will work collaboratively with you to find a solution—whether that is a repair, exchange, or store credit.
Because our garments are handmade and involve delicate embroidery, they are highly sensitive to sharp objects. We pack them securely (sometimes tightly) for protection during transit. The opening video helps us verify that any damage occurred prior to unpacking and wasn't an accidental cut from scissors or blades during the opening process.
Shipping & Delivery
The delivery time depends on whether you have chosen an "In Stock" piece or a "Made-to-Order" creation:
- Ready to Ship (In Stock): These pieces are dispatched within 48 hours. Depending on your location and chosen shipping method (Standard or Express), you can expect delivery shortly after.
- Made-to-Order: These dresses are handcrafted specifically for you by our designers in India. This artisanal process takes time. We recommend ordering well in advance of your event. Once crafted, they are shipped directly to you.
Yes! We are pleased to offer Free Standard Shipping for all orders within Australia. If you are in a hurry, you can also opt for Express Shipping at a flat rate of $30 AUD at checkout.
Absolutely! Leela Lane proudly offers worldwide shipping. Shipping costs for international orders are calculated based on the weight, size, and destination. For an accurate quote for your country, please contact us at info@leelalane.com.au or message us on WhatsApp.
Yes! This is a popular option for our customers attending events in India. You can visit our Sydney boutique or consult with us virtually to choose your custom dress. We can then ship it directly to your address in India with Free Shipping.
To ensure your handcrafted dress arrives in perfect condition, we use secure, layered packaging. Because the embroidery and fabrics are delicate, the packaging may feel tight. We kindly ask that you take extra care when opening your parcel and avoid using sharp blades that might snag the fabric.
Orders under $1,000 AUD: Most orders under this amount arrive with no additional taxes or border charges.
Orders over $1,000 AUD: In accordance with Australian regulations, orders over $1,000 are subject to 10% GST and a government processing fee. To make this process seamless, a Leela Lane team member will contact you directly to discuss these charges once your order is ready for delivery.
Payments & Security
We offer a variety of secure, flexible payment options to make your shopping experience as seamless as possible:
- Credit & Debit Cards: We accept all major cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Union Pay, and JCB.
- Digital Wallets: For a fast, one-tap checkout, you can use Shop Pay, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. These services securely encrypt your details for a stress-free experience.
- PayPal: You can use your PayPal account for any online order.
- Style Now, Pay Later: For orders under $2,000 AUD, eligible customers can choose PayPal Pay in 4. This allows you to split your purchase into four interest-free fortnightly installments, so you can secure your handcrafted piece immediately while managing your budget.
Our Commitment to Security:
Your safety is our priority. Our payment gateway, powered by Shopify Payments, is protected by multiple layers of encryption and 3D Secure authentication, ensuring your personal and payment information is handled with the highest standards of care.
Absolutely. Our website uses SSL encryption to ensure your personal and payment information is 100% protected. We never store your credit card details.