IF YOU want a made-to-measure evening gown or wedding dress from Deborah Selleck, you better get in quick.

The Seddon designer requires bookings up to a year in advance, especially as she approaches her busiest period for the year.

Ms Selleck and a team of four seamstresses make up to 100 made-to-measure couture bridal and evening gowns a year from her self-titled Charles St store, with prices ranging from $2500 to $7000.

This year she has also introduced a ready to wear range, which is priced between $1600 and $3500.

“It’s not necessarily a traditional wedding look. It’s more of an elegant, modern contemporary look inspired by vintage touches, 1930s art-deco design,” she said of her designs.

Her eye for fashion was born during her childhood in Rome, where clothing in the early 1960s was predominantly made to measure.

“I loved the process of having clothes especially made for me by a skilled dressmaker,” she said.

“My mother choosing the fabrics and details, the dressmaker adjusting the design throughout the fittings, watching the dress take form, and finally, the joy of wearing the prettiest party dress that puffed out like a cloud when I jumped.”

Her interest took a more serious turn when she completed her Diploma of Fashion at RMIT in the 1980s and then spent the next 15 years designing day and evening wear for various companies.

After the birth of her second child Ms Selleck downsized and started doing freelance designing and made-to-measure from home.

Business quickly grew, and within three years she set up shop in Ballarat St, Yarraville, before moving to Charles St 10 years later.

She has dressed Miss World Victoria, Bulldogs WAGs Megan Akermanis and Haylea Cooney and countless brides since being in business.

This year Ms Selleck also turned teacher, teaching fashion at the Kangan Institute and Box Hill.

“I’m imparting knowledge I’ve gained over 25 years experience, and I have hands-on skills to teach these concepts and ideas and pattern-making rules, I know what will work.”