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About Amsale
Amsale is a luxury wedding dress brand that creates made-to-order dresses for any formal occasion, but especially for when you’re tying the knot. The renowned retailer is well known in NYC and has dressed celebrities and other notable figures, while still remaining accessible for many consumers.
The Amsale brand has been celebrated in popular culture and beyond, and their dresses have been featured on hit television shows like Grey’s Anatomy, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and many more. Several famous stars have worn their luxe gowns, such as Halle Berry, Julia Roberts, Lucy Lui, Katherine Heigle, Heidi Klum, and the list goes on.
With 107k followers on Instagram and 115k likes on Facebook, the well-loved brand is still going strong, and accomplishing their mission to design lavish, elegant, on-trend dresses for women.
We want you to have all the info you need for planning your big day, so consider scrolling through this Amsale review. We’ll help you better understand what this upscale bridal brand is all about.
Overview of Amsale
Amsale was founded in 1985, when Ethiopian native Amsale Alberra was preparing to get married. She searched the streets of New York City looking for a refined, simple wedding gown, but didn’t find what she was looking for. This event soon turned into a grand opportunity for her, since she discovered an untapped niche in the bridal market.
Alberra, already an alumni of New York’s Fashion Institute of Design, decided to make her own wedding dress by hand, and she also posted an advertisement for custom-made gowns. Together with some help from her husband, the Amsale brand officially began business out of her New York City loft apartment.
Due to popular demand, Amsale Alberra started to expand her brand outside of the wedding sphere. In the mid-90s, she added the Amsale Blue label line (for more luxurious gowns), The Little White Dress collection, bridesmaids dresses, and several cocktail dresses to the collection. All these additions helped establish Amsale’s reputation as a big-name bridal brand.
In the early 2000’s the brand created the Kenneth Pool label featuring elaborate ball gowns with detailed beadwork. In 2005, Amsale acquired the Christos company, a brand known for their feminine, lace, French-inspired dresses made of silk organza. The following year, the company opened their flagship retail shop on Madison Avenue in New York City.
The powerhouse designer who started her own bridal empire from the ground up, sadly passed away from cancer in 2018 at the age of 64. But the legacy she leaves behind is simply magnificent.
Let’s continue this Amsale review by going over a list of highlights about the brand:
Highlights
- Exquisite, gorgeous gowns for formal occassions
- Made-to-order for a completely custom fit
- Designed in NYC
- Reasonable prices for custom-made garments
- Free ground shipping in the US
Ready to learn more about these show-stopping gowns? This Amsale review will take a look at the dresses that customers love the most, and examine what makes each piece unique. We’ll take a look at their sizing, colors, and everything else you shouldn’t miss.
Amsale Little White Dress Review
Have you heard of the little black dress? Well now meet its sister, the little white dress. Amsale has plenty of gorgeous, white dresses to outfit any garden party or wedding reception. Let’s take a look at two of the bestsellers in the Amsale Little White Dress collection.
Amsale Bow Back Shift Dress Review
The Amsale Bow Back Shift Dress has a modern, edgy silhouette with a big, elegant bow in the back. This low cut, off-the-shoulder dress features an elegant, folded cuff around the upper body, draping the shoulders in creamy fabric.
The ivory dress is crafted from mikado, which is a luxurious silk that’s slightly heavier than standard silk varieties. This thicker material has a rich texture, and also provides structure and form to the dress, creating a unique, sophisticated shape. The pockets on the side are practical yet blend seamlessly with the stylish dress design.
The gown is a perfect choice for any upscale party, or as a bridesmaid dress. It can be made to order in as little as six weeks, and the sizes range from 00 to 28.
The Amsale Bow Back Shift Dress is priced at $385.
Amsale Rose Fil-Coupé Dress Review
The Amsale Rose Fil-Coupé Dress is an elegant, white gown that features a pretty, floral design and a simple, classic silhouette. The shear fabric on the skirt drapes elegantly down the body, for a classic timeless look. The sophisticated box-pleat on the skirt also reveals a peak of skin in the most graceful way.
This sleeveless, ivory dress falls just below the knees, which means it’ll look great with strappy heels. It’s available in sizes ranging from 00 to 28 and comes with a six-week production time.
The Amsale Rose Fil-Coupé Dress is priced at $495.
Amsale Nouvelle Amsale Bridal Review
The Amsale Nouvelle Amsale Bridal collection has many unique designs, each made with luxurious fabrics, and various textured laces. Every gown expresses its own vision of beauty, so you’re bound to find one that suits your personal taste and style. Let’s take a look at two of Amsale’s bestsellers from this collection.
Amsale Danielle Review
The Amsale Danielle dress is a stunning ball gown crafted from an elegant tulle fabric. The floor-length, ivory dress has a slight train running from the back that looks regal and elegant, and also a simple cap sleeve. There’s a lovely V-shaped back which will accentuate any woman’s silhouette, and a pleated skirt that gracefully ripples and flows with each movement.
White flowers and leaves are embroidered onto the bodice using the hand applique method. And, with the pretty floral pattern, the dress is perfect for any outdoor garden wedding. If worn by the bride, it would also compliment the flowers in her hands very nicely.
Unlike the previous dresses, this design is only available in sizes 00 to 24, but is offered in both standard and extra-length designs. The production time is estimated to be ten weeks, so keep that in mind while planning your big day.
The Amsale Danielle gown is priced at $2495.
Amsale Ola Review
The Amsale Ola dress is beautifully made with its exquisite, Chantilly lace fabric that features a floral design. The sheer, long sleeves run elegantly down the arms with a slight flare at the wrist. The lovely V shape on both sides of the bodice adds a modest, yet sultry touch to the gown.
The dress comes with two length options, standard or extra long, and you can choose between the ivory and ivory-blush shades. Amsale recommends ordering far enough in advance, since it can take up to ten weeks for the dress to be produced and shipped.
This breathtaking dress could grace the cover of any bridal magazine. The handcrafted gown takes on a more traditional wedding dress look and evokes images of a starlit fairytale fantasy.
The Amsale Ola dress is priced at $2395.
Amsale Bridesmaids Review
Frequently, bridesmaids get the short end of the stick when it comes to dresses, but that’s not the case in the Amsale collection. They have a selection of bridesmaids’ dresses that were designed to compliment the bride, but won’t steal the spotlight.
Let’s pivot our Amsale review in a different direction and take a look at two of the bestselling Amsale Bridesmaids’ dresses.
Amsale Chloe Review
The Amsale Chloe dress is a classy gown that has a sensual, somewhat sexy design. This full-length garment features a revealing, low backline and a high slit along the skirt that shows off just the right amount of skin. It’s fitted around the hips, creating an hour-glass silhouette, and then flares elegantly towards the ground.
Designed with supreme attention to detail, the draped bodice is held up by two delicate straps. With its sultry and sophisticated design, the Chloe dress will make a bold statement without being a scene-stealer.
The dress is available in 18 different colors, sizes 00 to 32, and there’s an option to add extra length. The gown evokes an air of distinction and elegance, making it perfect for any black-tie event. Best of all, you can achieve this glam look for a reasonable price.
The Amsale Chloe dress is priced at $280.
Amsale Nia Review
The Amsale Nia gown has a modern style, well-structured silhouette, and is made of luxurious satin fabric that practically drips down the body. The peekaboo triangle opening in the high neck adds intrigue to the dress in the front, and in the back there’s a sexy racerback which reveals the shoulders in a sophisticated way.
This full-length dress has a sultry edge with its large knee slit which is a classic feature that reminds us of old Hollywood. Even though this gown is a bridesmaid dress, you might want to keep it in your closet if you have a classy event to attend.
You can purchase this made-to-order dress in 18 different colors, ranging from jade to ruby and every color in between! Available in sizes 00 to 32, you can also customize the dress by picking either the standard length or extra length. Due to its high quality, the dress is dry clean only.
The Nia dress can be yours for $280.
Who Is Amsale For?
Amsale is perfect for the following consumers:
- You’re looking to amplify your wedding game. The dresses are outstanding and reasonably priced when considering what else is on the market
- You want your bridesmaids’ to look magnificent too, without stealing the spotlight. Amsale does such a great job at creating bridesmaid dresses that follow a cohesive theme and feature sophisticated designs, but don’t steal the thunder
- You’ve always wanted to splurge on a springtime, classy white dress. More than just weddings, Amsale does such a great job at providing high-quality dresses for all occasions
If you want a gorgeous, custom-made dress for a black-tie event, or have money to splurge at your wedding, Amsale is definitely the brand for you!
Amsale Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
We’ve covered a lot in this Amsale review, but now it’s time to hear what the customers have to say about the brand. Below, we’ve sourced testimonials from Yelp, Nordstrum, and The Knot.
Starting with Yelp, we were pleased to learn that the Amsale flagship store in NYC has a 4.5/5 star rating based on 50 reviews. One customer recounted a story that highlights the fantastic customer service at the shop:
“Getting engaged and married during Covid has been super stressful. I ordered a dress from Amsale, sight unseen, one size up from my normal size. It arrived and was too small. Naturally, I panicked, but the amazing Customer Service team at Amsale talked me off the ledge and sent me the next size up. The bigger dress arrived in 24 hours and fit perfectly!”
For those who can’t visit the boutique in NYC, according to shoppers, the brand’s online service is also excellent:
“The customer service team was patient and incredibly helpful throughout the process, and I truly can’t thank them enough. I would highly recommend Amsale to anyone ordering a dress online!”
Another customer commented about the brand’s superb customer service, even giving a shoutout to a staff member:
“Really the nicest sales ladies in the city. They provided the most welcoming and joyous experience by far out of all the bridal salons I visited. Dia is especially great!!”
Next, we’ll turn to bridal blog The Knot. On this site, the Amsale shop received a favorable 4.7/5 star rating based on 41 reviews. This customer raved about her experience there and noted the relaxed environment and complimentary champagne!
“I LOVED my experience at Amsale. They have a great selection, and the ambiance is relaxed and elegant – no group of people clapping around you and pressuring you to say Yes to anything (although the champagne when you choose your dress is a nice touch!).”
We wanted to expand our review search outside their flagship store, so we searched on Nordstrum and were met with few reviews. Despite the scarcity, they were mostly positive. One customer gave the Halter Neck Crepe Column Gown a 5/5 rating, praising the sophistication of the dress:
“I bought this for a black tie event. The back sheer detail and buttons are stunning. The dress is fully lined and has a good weight that holds you in. I’m 5’10 and the dress is long enough for me to add heels. It runs slightly small. I purchased one size up. I can’t wait to wear this dress.”
As with any clothing store, it’s always good to cross-reference your measurements with the product’s website, especially since sizes tend to vary at different retailers. Aside from the clothes sometimes running small, we were hard pressed to find any other negative feedback in our Amsale review.
We even cross-checked the company’s profile on Better Business Bureau and couldn’t find any unresolved complaints. We’re quite impressed with to the brand for making gorgeous gowns that truly live up to the hype.
Is Amsale Worth It?
Based on everything we’ve covered in this Amsale review, we have to say that the brand is definitely worth it. From their artfully constructed custom gowns made in NYC, to their reasonable prices (considering the quality), it’s hard not to love Amsale.
The best part is that most of their dresses are made to order, meaning they’re created exclusively for you and custom tailored to fit your body. Having a designer dress made for you can get very pricey, but Amsale prices their custom-made dresses quite reasonably. We have to praise the brand for their commitment to quality and fair prices.
Amsale Promotions & Discounts
We couldn’t seem to find any discounts or sales for this Amsale review, but keep an eye on the company’s homepage or subscribe to their newsletter to stay in the loop.
Where to Buy Amsale
Many Amsale dresses are made to order, so you have to purchase them on the brand’s website or at their shop in NYC. The company also sells their collections at Nordstrom, as well as many other retailers. There’s a tool on their website to find the nearest retailer to you.
FAQ
Who owns Amsale?
Amsale was founded by the late designer Amsale Aberra and her husband Neil Brown, who currently operates as the CEO.
Where is Amsale made?
Each Amsale gown is delicately handcrafted using couture dressmaking techniques in Amsale’s NYC atelier, so you know you’re getting the highest-quality dress for your special day.
Does Amsale offer custom designs?
Amsale offers custom-designed gowns, and also provides tailoring on their pre-existing designs.
What is Amsale’s Shipping Policy?
Amsale provides free ground shipping within the continental US, and the delivery time usually ranges between 5-7 business days. They also offer overnight shipping for an additional $50, and recommend reaching out to their customer service team for more info at: [email protected]
What is Amsale’s Return Policy?
Amsale’s return policy varies depending on the type of dress you’ve purchased. Any gowns bought from their Little White Dress and Evening Collections are eligible for a return or exchange within 14 days of receiving the item.
This Amsale review discovered that there is a $25 restocking fee per garment returned. Plus, Bridal and Bridesmaids’ dresses are final-sale items and not eligible for a return.
How to Contact Amsale
We hope you enjoyed this Amsale review! If you have any lingering questions, the brand’s customer support team can be reached in two ways.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 212-583-1700 (9am-6pm EST, Monday – Friday)
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