Madame Paulette practices "museum quality" archival methods and preparatory techniques when restoring and preserving your wedding gown. Your dress undergoes several intricate steps before it is sealed in its archival chamber. These processes include our patented gentle solvent baths, tumbling techniques, anti-sugar treatments, and detailed hand finishing just to name a few.
Below are the preservation steps we follow to maintain the beauty and integrity of your wedding gown.
Inspection: Your gown is meticulously inspected for stains, wear, age, and oxidation. This process includes a Spectra Light inspection for invisible stains based on the same technology utilized in police crime labs. All beads and trimmings are tested for serviceability prior to the restoration and preservation processes.
Preliminary Maintenance: Includes replacement and / or reinforcement of beading and trimmings as well as any other necessary repairs.
Hand Cleaning: Practicing only the most gentle of proprietary soaking procedures, or cleaning the entire garment by hand due to its delicacy or intricate design.
Rinse: Virgin single usage solvents are used briefly to rinse away all cleaning agents used during the hand cleaning process.
Black Light Inspection: Through the use of black light technology, Madame Paulette is able to identify stains that would not normally be visible to the naked eye.
Post Cleaning: Careful inspection for stains and residual matter. Stain removal is completed at this stage.
Reinforcement: Beading, trimming, ornamentation, are all tightened and replaced if needed. All seams are inspected for strength and are reinforced as needed.
Hand Finishing Services: Special attention is given to the designer's line and drape during the pressing process to insure that your gown is returned to its original splendor. Beading, trimmings, lace, pearls, sequins, rhinestones, and other embellishments require a high degree of attention during the hand finishing process which is conducted by our most skilled artisans.
Client Inspection: A Madame Paulette representative will meet with each customer for a final viewing before your gown is placed in its archival chamber.
Archival Chamber: Your wedding gown is wrapped and secured in acid-free tissue paper, carefully folded, and placed in a custom acid free "museum quality" archival chamber.
Storage: It is recommended that your preserved gown be stored in the closet of a spare room in your house. Never in an attic, garage or basement where it can be exposed to elements that can compromise the preservation process. Lay the box flat to prevent shifting during storage.