FAQ
Welcome to our FAQs page! At Leela Lane, we understand that shopping for designer clothing and jewellery 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.
Apparel 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.
Yes! We want you to shop with 100% confidence. If you cannot visit our Sydney boutique in person, we bring the boutique to you with our Personalized Video Preview Service:
- For In-Stock Items:
Request a personalized video of the exact dress. We’ll show it to you on a mannequin or up close so you can see the fabric movement, the "sparkle" of the embroidery, and the interior finishing. - For Made-to-Order Items: If the specific dress isn't in the boutique yet, we can show you a "Designer Video." Or we will film a similar piece from the same designer that we have in stock. This allows you to inspect the consistent quality of their stitching, the premium fabric feel, and the generous extra margins we include for easy alterations.
Need extra help? You can Book a Virtual Consultation or message us or call on 0452 329 599 to see a dress on a live video call.
For Ready-to-Ship pieces, minor alterations like hemming, dress height adjustments, or blouse fitting can often be arranged locally — ask us and we'll point you to trusted tailors in Sydney.
Made-to-Order dresses are stitched to the measurements you give us at the time of your order. Some size customisation beyond the designer's standard chart is possible, but this is case-by-case depending on the specific dress. Contact us to discuss your customisation requirement before ordering, and we'll confirm the possibilities for that piece.
Every piece at Leela Lane is sourced directly from the designer or their authorised studio — no replicas, no unauthorised reproductions. We work with names like Paulmi and Harsh, Rishi and Vibhuti, Ease, Mona and Vishu, Siddharth Bansal and more because we've vetted their craftsmanship ourselves, often in person at their ateliers.
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 — our boutique is in Box Hill, Sydney NSW, where you can browse, try on, and style our designer range in person. Book an Appointment for a personalised styling session. Can't make it in? Book a Virtual Consultation and we'll bring the boutique to you over video call.
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 type of dress. Garments with heavy embroidery and details usually take 4 to 6 weeks.
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 specialised packaging process upon receiving your order — so we generally cannot pause or cancel an order once it's in motion.
If your order hasn't been dispatched yet, we're happy to change it to a piece of similar or greater value — just reach out to us right away and we'll sort it out. For any urgent questions after hitting 'order,' contact us immediately and 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 before your dress has entered the production workshop, 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 the artisans have begun arranging fabric, 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!
At Leela Lane, "sold out" rarely means gone. Every piece is either Ready to Ship or available as Made-to-Order — so if your dress isn't sitting in the boutique, we can have it handcrafted for you instead. Check the product page for its Made-to-Order availability, or message us to discuss.
Weddings & Occasions
Absolutely, wedding season is what we do. We curate for bridesmaids and wedding guests across every function, and for brides too — think mehndi, haldi, sangeet, reception, and welcome party looks. Our pieces are designed to be worn again and again, function after function, not just once. Message us with your event dates, colour palette, and how many outfits you need, and we'll pull coordinated looks across our designers.
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.
Jewellery
Yes! Our jewellery collection is in stock at our Sydney boutique and ready for immediate dispatch.
To maintain the radiance and longevity of your handcrafted pieces, we recommend following these simple steps:
- The "Last On, First Off" Rule: Always put your jewellery on after applying makeup, hairspray, and perfume. Take it off first before starting your evening skincare routine.
- Keep it Dry: To protect the delicate 22kt gold plating and semi-precious stones, remove your jewellery before swimming, bathing, or exercising.
- Safe Storage: When not in use, store your pieces in the original Leela Lane pouch or a soft-lined jewellery box to prevent scratches and tangling.
- Gentle Cleaning: After each wear, gently wipe your jewellery with a soft, dry cloth to remove any natural oils or dust. For gold-plated pieces, avoid using chemical cleaners or abrasive polishing cloths, as these can wear down the gold finish over time.
Because we maintain a strict unworn-hygiene policy, returns or exchanges are only accepted for transit damage or an incorrect item received. See our full Damaged or Faulty Items answer under Returns & Exchange for how to submit a claim.
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 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 the 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: We encourage you to ask as many questions if you have doubts for size or material. We are here to help!
Every Leela Lane dress and jewellery undergoes a rigorous multi-point quality check before it is securely packed. If you receive a genuine defect:
- Record an Unboxing Video, starting before you break the seal and continuing through the full unboxing. This will help us make a quick decision and get you a fast, fair exchange. It also helps us provide feedback to packaging and production teams to prevent such defects.
- Notify us within 48 Hours of delivery: Contact us or email info@leelalane.com.au us with your unboxing 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 — and we'll cover the cost of return shipping.
Jewellery specifically: because we maintain a strict unworn-hygiene policy, returns or exchanges are only accepted for transit damage or an incorrect item received.
Our garments and jewellery are handmade and packed securely, sometimes tightly, to survive transit. The video protects you, by giving us clear proof of the item's condition the moment it reached you, and it protects our artisans, by confirming any damage happened in transit rather than during opening. Simply set your phone up to record before you break the seal on your box.
Shipping & Delivery
The delivery time depends on whether you have chosen an "Ready-to-Ship" (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 apparel orders within Australia, New Zealand and India. If you are in a hurry, you can also opt for Express Shipping at a flat rate shown at checkout.
Absolutely! Leela Lane ships worldwide. For New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States, we charge a flat shipping rate shown right at checkout.
For all other countries, message us on WhatsApp or email info@leelalane.com.au and we'll get you an accurate quote based on weight, size, and destination. We're steadily adding more countries to easy checkout, so watch this space.
Yes! This is a popular option for our customers attending events in India. Shop
Made-to-Order dresses online and simply add your India delivery address in shipping address at checkout and we will deliver to your India Address. Make sure you allow enough time for making and delivery before your event.
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:
Eligible customers can choose Afterpay or PayPal Pay in 4 to split your purchase into four interest-free fortnightly instalments, 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.