Custom Dressmaking and Alterations.
BRIDAL | FORMAL | RACEWEAR | ALTERATIONS
When you slip into your perfect gown, you don’t just dress for the moment you embody the memorable day you’ll always remember.
Bridal & Formal Dress Making
It all begins with an idea. Katari is a custom dressmaking studio situated on the Gold Coast dedicated to creating beautiful bespoke gowns and precise alterations. We tailor each piece to your unique style and measurements, from initial design and fabric selection to meticulous construction and finished fittings. Whether you’re dreaming of a one of a kind bridal gown or refinements to an existing garment, we blend artistry and craftsmanship to ensure flawless fit, timeless elegance, and a gown that feels truly yours.
Previously Worked With
Custom Dressmaking
I offer a personalised, couture experience that begins with understanding your unique style, vision, and silhouette preferences. From initial consultation to final fitting, I guide you through fabric selection, colour options, and intricate detailing—beading, embroidery, laces, and appliqués—ensuring every element reflects your personality and dream dress. The process unfolds in stages: a detailed design consultation, precise measurements, pattern drafting, and multiple couture fittings to achieve flawless drape and fit. Each one-of-a-kind gown is handcrafted with meticulous construction and quality attention to detail to create a timeless, breathtaking statement that is truly yours.
Alterations
I offer a full range of custom alterations for all types of garments, from everyday wear to special occasion and Bridal. My alteration services include precise hemming, neckline and sleeve adjustments, seam refinishing, bust and waist tailoring, and intricate changes like lace appliqué repositioning or beading repairs. I work carefully with each client to preserve the garment’s original design while achieving flawless fit, comfort, and silhouette. From initial fitting to final press, I ensure every stitch supports confidence and elegance on your important day.
Meet Tara owner of Katari
An extensive 33 years in the fashion industry, Tara began sewing at age six on her mother’s machine, making dolls’ clothes and pyjamas for herself and her brothers. By twelve, she was crafting tailored suits for her mum to wear to work.
At sixteen, Tara left school and moved to Ireland with her family to work as a machinist at the prestigious Michael H in Dublin. Realising the long hours and modest pay, she decided to pursue further studies. She enrolled at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design in Dublin, where she learned traditional garment construction and pattern making. For her finals, she created both a ready-to-wear and a bridal collection to earn her degree.
Tara cut her teeth in several fashion houses, including O’Neills of Dublin, HOBO, and TOPSHOP. In the early 2000s, she returned to Australia to advance her education at the Australian Institute of Creative Design.
Since then, Tara has worked with several major Australian fashion houses, including Grace Loves Lace, Sacha Drake, Luv Bridal, and Warner Bros., where she contributed to costume design for films such as Elvis and Voltron.
Her work has been highlighted in publications such as Vogue Brides Australia, Vigour, Pump, Kurtz, Gmaro, and Moevir Magazines.
Tara’s true passion is creating one-off bespoke pieces. She believes every woman should feel beautiful and feminine in her designs; she specialises in turning your visions into reality, seeing a client wear a garment created to fit her perfectly is the most rewarding part of her work.
