Lea Couture

Lea Ditson and her trusty aid, Linda, created a beautiful «Mother-​of-​the-​Bride» dress for me for our daughter’s ⁹⁄₁₉ wedding. It was absolutely the perfect dress for me, fit perfectly and saved me HOURS of time.
GREAT designer, quality work, and the ease she provides to make it happen is so worth every penny!
Thank you Lea Ditson, Lea Couture!

I went in for a wedding dress alteration consultation woth Lea and Linda and it was by far the best experience I have had! They are friendly, knowledgeable, kind and honest. They do great work at reasonable prices and offer quality craftsmanship. I can highly recommend this shop. THANK YOU LEA!

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin to express how much I enjoyed having Lea and Linda create my wedding dress. In fact I wish I was able to give Lea Couture more than 5 stars.
I was fortunate enough to meet Lea right as I was starting to plan my wedding, and I couldn’t have met her at a more perfect time. I always knew I wanted a wedding dress that was one of a kind and unique, but I also didn’t want to have to go store to store and dig through racks and racks of wedding dresses to possibly find that special one. On the other hand I never thought it would be possible to have my dream dress custom made for me, nor would I be able to afford it, until I met Lea.
When I first met with Lea to discuss my wedding dress vision, she was very honest and upfront about what kind of costs I would be looking at. I was able to go home and really think about it with no pressure and decide what was most important to me when creating my dress. When I came back with my decision to go forward with Lea Couture, I was welcomed with open arms, and I knew then that I was in the best hands.
What I thought was so great about Lea is that she really wanted to have my personality running through every inch of my dress. As a designer and an artist Lea is passionate about her designs, and I loved that she wanted to create a piece for me that I would shine in. At every fitting with Lea and Linda (and there were several which is a great sign) I felt so supported, and through each stage of making my dress, I could tell that they had listened to all my needs.
At my final fitting I couldn’t even tell you how blown away I was with my dress. I knew I loved the design from the beginning stages, but when I saw it completed and I slipped it on, it was a feeling I can barely describe into words. I truly felt like I was the luckiest gal around, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to walk down the aisle and see the look on my fiances face when he sees me in it for the first time. To have a dress created just for you is seriously a dream that can come true, and I am so grateful that Lea Couture was able to make my dream come true.
Thank you Lea and Linda for everything! I

I have never had a dress designed and fitted just for me
As the mother of the groom, I was very nervous about finding something appropriate that would fit
Lea listened carefully and created a dress that not only fit wonderfully, it was magical
The whole experience was lovely!!!
Thank you Lea

Solid designer. My wife had her dress and bridesmaids dresses designed by Lea. They were incredible. We love supporting local businesses and it was really fun to see them work together during the creative process. Highly recommend. Dresses were on time and for a fair price. The owners name is Lea and she is quite stylish, creative and world class in her experience.

though i was thrilled to be getting married, i was not thrilled at the prospect of trying to find a dress, given 1) being a lifelong tomboy who rarely if ever wore dresses, and 2) having body image issues that made me worry i’d never find anything i liked in my size.
just before i got engaged my mom saw a friend for whom Lea made a mother-​of-​the-​groom wedding outfit, and my mom raved about it. she suggested i contact Lea to discuss making me a dress, so i did, and within minutes of that first meeting i knew she would make me a fantastic dress.
Lea and her colleague Linda were both completely fantastic to work with. Lea asked me all kinds of questions about what i liked and didn’t like about dresses, as well as about my body. i never felt a speck of judgment at my plus size or flabby arms or anything like that… just enthusiasm and a commitment to making me feel comfortable in my own skin (as well as in my dress!) and beautiful on my wedding day.
over the course of about 7 months i met with Lea maybe six or seven times, and the final product was spectacular. the dress itself was very simple but lovely, and it fit me perfectly. and in addition to the dress, she made me a super cool «jacket» out of very whimsical lace. it was light and airy and it covered my arms (which i definitely didn’t want to accentuate!), and tons of people commented on how beautiful i looked… most of all my husband!
when i started the process, i had no idea how i could wear a dress, be the center of attention all day, and feel truly comfortable in my own skin. when i told Lea this the first time we met, she promised me i’d look and feel like me when all was said and done, even though i’d be in a dress rather than jeans and sneakers. she was totally right… i loved my outfit, and i felt comfortable and pretty all night. i even took the jacket off after a while because it was getting kind of warm… and i never in a million years thought i’d be comfortable with bare arms!
Lea helped me describe what i wanted, even though i didn’t know what i wanted, and then she executed an outfit that was exactly what i wanted. i am forever grateful to her and Linda for the care they took with me and the creation of my wedding outfit.
she also made my mom’s outfit, which was stunning as well. we were both entirely thrilled with our finished products, and i now envy my mom because she will likely be able to wear her outfit again, whereas i probably won’t. :) all in all, Lea is a gifted designer, and i recommend her very highly.

Lea worked with me to design my wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. Lea & Linda are the people to call if you are looking to have a one of a kind custom wedding dress made. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the finishing touches of my wedding gown and my bridesmaids dresses. For the bridesmaids dresses, I wanted them all to be in different shades of purple so I went with an ombré look and I’m glad I decided to do that.
Also, I didn’t want them to look too similar and not all women look good in the same color. I’m Glad Lea and I decided to go with the ombré look for the bridesmaid dresses.
They all looked stunningly beautiful!
As for my wedding dress, I didn’t want to just go to a boutique in San Francisco and buy a pre-​made gown. I wanted to have some creative control with the overall look of my wedding gown. Lea and Linda really listened to what I wanted and made my feel special when it came to designing my wedding dress. I want Lea to design all my custom dresses for special events moving forward.
I highly recommend Lea Couture if you are looking for a wedding dress, Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaid dresses or even an outfit for a special event, she is truly caring and very talented.

Lea and Linda are quite a team! I interviewed FOUR seamstresses until I found the ones who even dared to undertake the dress I wanted for my wedding — and it exceeded every possible expectation I had! It was even more beautiful than I imagined it could be, and it fit like an absolute glove. The care and attention to detail that they gave to both me and my wife (whose wedding clothes they also made — and which were also glamorous!) — and to our stunning clothes — were deeply appreciated. I cannot recommend them highly enough. These ladies know what they’re doing. Trust them!

I visited Lea today, I had gone last week and she had to cancel a few hours prior and I didn’t check my messages and went anyway, first I was disappointed but her assistance was very pleasant, took measurements and assured me they would be able to make the dress I was requesting (I had emailed over a photo I had on the dress I wanted). I rescheduled with Lea, she was very clear, creative and kind. Honest too…
I think the negative reviews below might be a first impression but they are a tiny business, and sometimes creative minds aren’t the best with administrative/​customer service… I am confident she knows what’s she doing and has an excellent eye.
I’ll report back when my dress is completed.
I felt almost immediately connected to her. Soft spoken and detailed oriented.

One of the great pleasures is introducing a friend to the special experience of being outfitted by Lea! From the time that I had my mother-​of-​the-​bride dress designed by Lea, to season after season of having exactly the right clothes for any occasion, I have been thrilled to shop at Lea Couture. Lea’s clothes are custom fitted but end up costing no more (in some cases much less) than off the rack outfits that you see everywhere. And dealing with Lea, a lovely woman of as much heart as she has style, is a total delight!

When I called Lea I made it clear I was not ready to buy and had a relatively low budget. Lea was wonderful, she was willing to meet me on a Sunday and lend her expertise on what styles would best flatter my shape. If we weren’t trying to save for a 20% down on a house in Marin, I would definitely be having my dress made by Lea. Who wouldn’t want a custom wedding gown made by a local designer who clearly cares?

I was so excited to find Lea Couture was still in San Anselmo, just a new address! Lea has been involved with so many major events in our family’s life. Whether designing the perfect prom dress or making an amazing dress for my niece’s wedding, Lea and her staff are wonderful. We have always felt involved and included in every step of the process from design to fittings. And I love the admiring compliments when wearing Lea’s one of a kind dresses.
Denise

I recently went to Lea to have a dress made for my daughter’s wedding. I am extremely petite and just couldn’t find the right look or feel for me. Lea, and her amazing seamstress saved the day. Lea spent a lot of time with me creating the initial design, and then it became a fun and iterative process. Lea is an artist, and Linda is an amazing seamstress. They have been working together for over 30 years and are truly a dynamic duo. Thanks to both of you for making this such a wonderful experience. I would recommend Lea to anyone who wants to feel special and confident.

The owner (Lea) of this small locally owned business is amazingly talented. She has a real talent for working with your figure and flattering every imperfection.
I have several pieces that were made specifically for me and they are wonderful additions to my wardrobe. Lea’s clothing is high quality and timeless. They are the most beautiful things I own. She is also able to work within a variety of price ranges.
Every time I enter this store I feel special!!!
I can’t wait until I have my own wedding, I will be having her make my gown as well as my bridesmaids.

I had my wedding gown made by Lea after weeks of searching for the perfect dress. I had found the one I wanted at a higher-​than-​perfect price, and was despairing over not being able to find anything more affordable. I went to Lea’s at the recommendation of another bridal shop to see if she could create a similar dress within my price range. She could, so she gave me an estimate and we worked from there. The price came to be a little higher than was I was hoping to pay, but still much cheaper than the dress I had set my sights on!
My experience with Lea and her assistant Linda was hassle-​free and quick, unlike what I imagine you get with most bridal boutiques. From the day I paid the deposit to the day I picked up the dress, it was about 8 weeks, and it probably would have been faster if I hadn’t gone out of town for a month over Christmas! There was no messy contract to pore over, no snooty boutique-​personnel attitudes, and no hidden charges (just remember to discuss fitting fees ahead of time and that the dress/​labor is subject to tax). One other thing to remember is that all people have quirks, and while Lea may have seemed forgetful at first, once she understood what I wanted and we established a contract, she was totally on her game.
When I took Lea pictures of the dress I liked, she took on the project with a confidence that can only come from 30+ years of design experience. She understood how the dress would fit my body type and that the lace needed to be sewn in exactly the right place. She and Linda work well together and make a great team; Linda’s understanding of dress construction and her attention to detail were marvelous! It was so special to be able to see my dress being made, just for me, instead of ordering a dress made who-​knows-​where, waiting for weeks without seeing it, and then having to get alterations. And one more special little perk is that they saved the lace scraps for me! I am planning to use some on my bouquet or on a hair comb
Overall, it was definitely worth the trip to Lea’s shop, where I had a personalized, professional experience, and ended up with an exquisite wedding dress!

If you are looking for gorgeous custom designs, Lea in San Anselmo is the place. After much searching to no avail at bridal boutiques, the mall, etc. for a mother-​of-​the-​bride dress for my mom, we made an appointment at Lea on the recommendation of a friend. We were both taken with Lea’s sincere, intuitive and creative approach to dress-​making. Lea is totally dedicated to the integrity of the design and the materials used and to customer satisfaction. She goes to great lengths to make the garment to the customer’s exact specifications and dedicates time and personal attention to each customer. She really listens to the customer’s thoughts, opinions, and wishes and takes them to heart.
In addition to the mother-​of the-​bride dress, I ordered a custom-​made rehearsal dinner dress from Lea, and it is by far the most flattering cut on any dress I have ever owned. I only wish I would have known about Lea when I was shopping for a wedding dress. She does gorgeous bridal gowns as well.
Lea’s shop is understated elegance. I love the aesthetic, eye for quality, talent and dedication that Lea and Linda possess. I will certainly be a regular customer at Lea.
Lea also has stunning jewelry and casual pieces including tops and wraps.
And I agree with other posts – Lea is a treasure in San Anselmo!

Mom-​of-​the-​groom. Needed to get a floor-​length red dress. (That was the instruction from the kids:) What to do, for this woman who would way rather spend the day in jeans and a t-​shirt? Lea solved this problem wonderfully. She and staff helped me from start to finish. I felt pampered and loved, instead of traumatized. So nice! Great help with accessories, too. The dress is beautiful. I will come back to Lea any time I need ultra-​wonderful clothes.

I can’t seem to find the words to express just how wonderful Lea is. Her designs, to say the very least, are absolutely stunning, and hands down the most flattering to women.
Lea is the most kind-​hearted, caring, and hands down the most brilliant designer. She truly listens, and somehow always understands what it is your going after (even with indecisive people like me) — she’s a genius and really knows everything about designing. She just knows what you want, and what will look good on your body– and specifically your body. Let me tell you, she is always right.
Every experience and appointment with her has been charming and an absolute pleasure. She keeps in great contact, and I trusted her completely from the second I walked into Lea Couture.
I had walked in after a very disappointing search for a wedding dress in various salons, and instantly my luck turned around. Lea helped me in every way to design the perfect dress. You will with out a doubt walk away with the perfect dress, whether it be a wedding gown, or a casual sundress. (ALL of her pieces are fantastic– I can’t wait to go back for casual pieces).
Lea– I can’t thank you enough for your guidance through everything. I know my review is glowing– but it’s all true, and Lea only deserves kind reviews. I couldn’t have been happier working with her, and highly recommend her to any and everyone.

What a lovely visit… as always a lovely visit. Lea has been making my clothing for many years. She knows my body and has come to know its changes as the curves have expanded. LOL She just made my best friends wedding dress and it was beautiful or rather exquisite. If I ever get married she will def be my first choice.

I was very pleased with my wedding gown and the attention I got from Lea and the staff.