Anyone here ever ordered any of his stuff off of the ebay site? I was at BARF last weekend and saw one of his amazing creations in person - Wanted to know if anyone else out there had bought anything from him - I know it's not techionally HA but, his clothes are just fanstastic and would be something different to wear - http://stores.ebay.com/Cloak-Company
This was on the list of trusted vendors
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=9744.30
by squiregaby
QuoteThe Cloak Company on Ebay....by VonLancelot.
I recieved a stunning new bodice on saturday!! Absolutely gorgeous and fits like a dream!
VERY fast shipping rate....usually next day shipping.
Lady Raven
QuoteI'm in love with the Cloak Company by Von Lancelot, I have two corset,s a skirt and two capes from him, they are very nice quality and being on ebay they were a steal. I will warn though the boning in his corsets are plastic so they do not pull you in as tight.
I have a cloak, and it's gorgeous. Made of mid-weight suede fabric with a mid-weight satin lining, and I got it on eBay for $35.
I will swear by him for like.....ever. I absolutely LOVE his stuff. I've got two cloaks, a bodice, and 3 corsets so far....and when I have money again I'm going back for more!
I love Von Lancoelot line. I have several cloaks and an absolutely lovely victorian gown. They ship quickly and their quality is wonderful.
ABSOLUTELY NO PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (I'd never heard of them until recently), but I thought I would point out that the experiences seem to be quite different over at the Wench's Guild. Thread (http://www.wench.org/forums/showthread.php?t=90146).
wife just tried her new Medieval Princess Tunic Gown purchased from them on today and it is beautiful. it is a cotton flax linen blend that really looks more like flax. she has some dresses from armstreet and it is of the same quality at about 1/4 the price. this is the one she has
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jduffy01/cloak-100005902-2s.jpg)
I have one of his bodices and frankly I refuse to wear it again until I can get some GOOD boning sewn into it. The support is horrid for the well endowed lady and I'm afraid I'll mess it up w/out proper support.
I have the pirate bodice thingy with the sleeves. I don't wear the sleeves normally...don't like them. Without the sleeves I can wear a manshirt under it or a chemise and just wear it as a cuter lady waist-coat. Looks fab under my frock! :D Like I said just the boning is my issue...
Also the obvious ripping off of designs is irksome. Oh well, whatcha gonna do.
I have not personally ordered from this vendor. However, something I would like to point out is that, due to the volume he sells on Ebay, you will probably see several people wearing the same thing as you at faire. I found that out when I bought my ill-fated Royal Coffers. All of a sudden, I'd see 5 or 6 people wearing the same garb as me.
If that doesn't bother you, that is fine, but I really didn't like seeing so many cookie cutters of me!
I have personally seen Lady Raven's VonLancelot stuff and it is gorgeous! I also saw one of his jacket designs at the St. Arrgustine Pirate Festival last fall. Also beautiful.
I have one of his cloaks. It is moleskin and sating and absolutely amazing. I get tons of compliments anytime I wear it.
Unfortunately, as Lady Renee said, with the mass production, his items are becoming a lot like the Royal Coffers stuff. EVERYONE has it.
My problem with VonLancelot is that they are making cheaper "knock-offs" of Damsel in this Dress Bodices. Check out her blog for several rants on the subject.
I believe I was the creation you saw, Nailin. I've been very happy with my purchases and so far I have not seen anyone else at BARF with my corsets but we are a smaller faire. He does switch up the fabrics ever so often so it is possible to get things you will not see on everyone. I have not seen my style listed for over 2 months now.
I agree with what everyone states about the boning to be true. I will most likely be ripping it out and redoing myself because it does not give you the support of a true corset. But for the price I paid for it I do not mind having to take this extra step. I have had nothing but compliments when I have worn his pieces and if I had more money at the moment I would be buying more.
As far as him being cheaper "knock offs", I like the cut of his better then the Damsel in this Dress. And usually when I think of "knock offs" I think of poor construction. I have been pleasently pleased with all of his pieces regaurdless of them being mass produced. I am a seamstress as well and could easily make these myself but do not have time as I do have a full time job and two children, its nice to have an option of quality that I do not have to pay the price of my car payment to get!
Quote from: Lady Raven on March 24, 2010, 02:32:44 PM
I am a seamstress as well and could easily make these myself but do not have time as I do have a full time job and two children, its nice to have an option of quality that I do not have to pay the price of my car payment to get!
Being a seamstress myself, I would rather pay the price of a car payment for quality in garb that will last for many, many years. I pay that alone in materials for my garb before I make the first cut. When people ask me how much for something of what I wear that I have designed and made, their jaws drop when I break it down. My garb is going on 7 and 8 years for some. 4 years for my Mary, Queen of Scots gown, which cost over $600 in materials alone! That does not count my Labor time of 156 hours from start to finish!!
Quote from: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on March 24, 2010, 11:39:22 PM
Quote from: Lady Raven on March 24, 2010, 02:32:44 PM
I am a seamstress as well and could easily make these myself but do not have time as I do have a full time job and two children, its nice to have an option of quality that I do not have to pay the price of my car payment to get!
Being a seamstress myself, I would rather pay the price of a car payment for quality in garb that will last for many, many years. I pay that alone in materials for my garb before I make the first cut. When people ask me how much for something of what I wear that I have designed and made, their jaws drop when I break it down. My garb is going on 7 and 8 years for some. 4 years for my Mary, Queen of Scots gown, which cost over $600 in materials alone! That does not count my Labor time of 156 hours from start to finish!!
Some of us don't have that kind of money, especially with single incomes. That's fabulous that you can afford to do that, but the rest of us, who live paycheck to paycheck, must find alternatives.
The only thing attractive about Garb Snobs is their Garb...
Makes being a Gypsy rather more appealing when I can make due with things that don't require that sort of financial investment, but it's lovely to see the time, effort and expense that has gone into some of the garb we see at Faire.
I have three of their cloaks and plan on getting more. They are amazing!
Quote from: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on March 24, 2010, 11:39:22 PM
Being a seamstress myself, I would rather pay the price of a car payment for quality in garb that will last for many, many years. I pay that alone in materials for my garb before I make the first cut. When people ask me how much for something of what I wear that I have designed and made, their jaws drop when I break it down. My garb is going on 7 and 8 years for some. 4 years for my Mary, Queen of Scots gown, which cost over $600 in materials alone! That does not count my Labor time of 156 hours from start to finish!!
Someone once told me you can get things 2 of these 3 ways but never all 3. Fast, Cheap, Good Quality. As a seamstress I belive in the Good Quality, not everyone afford some of the things I have made. If you want the quality of work a top of the line seamstress can provide you will have to pay for it some how. Trust me I would NOT want to pay retail for the garb I make the Pink Pirate. Just his coat is going to push 25-30 hours alone, and over $400 without discounts.
On the other hand I am finishing up a period piece at a local theater where due to a time constrains we had to have the items purchased instead of made. We got the best quality that we could afford in the time we had. They still look great but it was a trade off we had to make. The way I see it you can have any set of garb you want it just may take you a while to save up the money for it. :)
I am hoping I can see some of Lady Kathleen's work at faire this year. Maybe even compare notes.
Lady Stitch!
I am in the process of cutting out a Pirate Coat and Vest for a new client in Massachusetts out of Black and Maroon Velveteen. The Vest will Black with Maroon and trim, Gold Buttons. The Pirate Coat will be Maroon with Black Velveteen Cuffs, Pocket Flaps, and Collar, trimmed with Gold Gimp, Gold on Black trim in places, Gold Buttons. All fully lined, with functional pockets. A Pirate Coat unlike any I have done ion teh past.
When I think of all the money I have spent on cheap garb and then either paid to have it reworked, or sold it to friends who go to faire maybe once a year or every 2 years and think it's fine, I'd rather do without something and save up the money until I can get something I really love.
Like what I am doing at Scarby this year at the RenDezvous. I have saved a little bit every month for the past 2 years and now have enough to buy a Moresca Max bodice, if I find one that I love the fabric and if it fits me well. Do I have a Starbucks every week? No. Do I go out to lunch a few times a week like the gals I work with do? No. I chose to save up for garb.
I don't - and would not - ever criticize anybody's garb, or even ask what they paid for it (because it's none of my business), but I have spent more money on garb I wasn't happy with for whatever reason, and should have saved until I could afford what I would be happy with. I don't think that's being snobby, it's just my choice on what I feel is the best way to spend what money I can for garb.
I'm gonna try to get us back on topic here...... I'm not here to argue whose garb is better or more expensive. Everyone has made good points and I value everyones opinions but the topic of this thread was VONLANCELOT and Nailin wanted the feed back of those of us who have actually had experiences with his services and garments.
Vonlancelots items are great for those of us that have to adhere to a budget and also great for those of us who like to have multiple items. Being that I try to attend BARF every weekend I do not like showing up in the same garb everyday. I do own other $more expensive$ better quality pieces then his BUT I was able to get a steal on so many of his things from eBay that I have been able to interchange with other pieces. He does offer a wide variety of cloaks, chemise, corsets and jackets. I also, as many of you have witness, run all over the grounds with my toddler to the point of rolling around in the dirt with him and tackling him to the ground, SOOOO spending a lot on something of mine that is going to get so roughed up is not a good option at this time. Maybe later =)
Perhaps his corsets are better suited for the smaller frames as I lack the bosoms that truly need to have that strong boning push my girls up. Theres just not much to push!! I did go with a size 8 since that was what I measured to be with his sizing chart with my corset but I think that my next one will be a size 6. When I cinch it in it actually touches together and I like my laces to be a little more open.
Nailin: I hope you have been able to form a good opinion from those of us who have actually tried to help you weigh the pros and cons of using a mass production line.
As a jewelry designer and artist myself, I just cannot bring myself to buy from Vonlancelot. I purchased my first corset from Michelle at Damsel In This Dress in 2008. I love her work, the fact that she has created incredible custom pieces for me, and the fact that her shipping is super fast. The person behind Vonlancelot purchased one of Michelle's corsets, took it apart, made a few changes, and then outsourced the construction to Asia.
I've had others copy my original designs and make the attempt to sell them cheaper. Ultimately, my work is superior in quality, but price is often a consideration for many people and my work doesn't come very cheap. I can tell you, though, discovering that your designs and hard work have been ripped off really hits hard. I just can't support a company that prefers to take the easy way out and copy another person's designs rather than do the work and come up with something original.
For me, I prefer to respect the concept of intellectual property and the handmade movement. Just my two cents...
I support my vendors at the faires I attend...because without them where would I and these wonderful faires be without them?
:o
I have friends who know Michelle of DitD and its heartbreaking to see an artisan trying to be very successful, and in the process of doing so, getting her designs copied by another company and outsourced to Asia.
As an artist myself, even as a broke college student who can't afford expensive garb unless I save up for years (like I did with my Ravenswood leather bodice), I have a hard time supporting a company who so obviously ripped of these designs.
I have too many dear friends that struggle to make it as merchants at the festivals, and I want to support them.
If above said things don't matter to you, which no judgement will be made; that is just merely my opinion, then the work of Van Lancelot looks decent, and they have a wide variety of garb options to offer you. Some people adore the garb, some say that the quality isn't where it should be. But...well...quality over quantity, I suppose?
While I feel bad that Michelle at DiTD got copied, I feel that I like Vonlancelot's designs better, Not sure entirely why they just appeal to me visually more. I like that they're above the breast instead of under and more covered and I like the tail and lapel designs better.
While I could try to get something custom made to have a better quality I could also buy this off the rack and have something I'm already happy with and that I can afford. I understand buying quality but I also have a single wage student budget, the $350 item online that I would most likely have to custom order (more $$) that isn't in the colors I like most would mean I'd have to get a second job and take wages that would go to student loans or buying food to buy clothing that I won't wear every day (much as I'd like to) and that is why I will be picking VL over DiTD, maybe when I'm out of school and am a "real grownup" with spending money I will have something custom done with the boning I like and still in the colors and design I prefer, but for right now, that's just where the coins fall, there is a market for high end garb, and there's a market for less costly garb, some can save pennies for garb, and some would like something sooner to wear to faire in between expensive garb.
I'd go for it, I will be after my birthday most likely.
Ok I would like to say my final words on this subject that keeps being dragged back to the knock off wars, quality vs quantity etc etc..
and point out one thing that has been said over about VL about everyone who has actually tried a garment from him. NO ONE has mentioned poor quality work is being done by him. YES he is in the mass production market BUT his quality is still very nice. in fact the ONLY negative point said by even myself has been an issue with boning being plastic. Which after questioning artisans even at festival who DO charge over $300 for just a corset sometimes even they use plastic boning.
Enough said by me, I'm done and not going to take part in this little tyrant started about knock offs which will continue to always be apart of the garment industry as it has for many many years!
Holy Cow, people! I leave you alone for 24 hours and things start blowing up.... OK, I'll admit I'm a little cranky.
Let's keep on topic, please, and leave the accusations out.
From what I have seen of the Von Lancelot line, it looks well made.
I wore my mid-weight satin lined moleskin cloak today in misting rain, 30mph winds and 45-48 degree temperatures, and I was fine. I received compliments from those dressed in mundanes as well as playtrons, and even a couple of vendors commented on it, all positive. I don't know anything about the other garb pieces, but a cloak is a cloak, and it's basically the quality that differentiates them. I'm very happy with mine... :)
i don't know i can't ever win one of his auctions i've tried for 8-12 cloaks in the past few months and nada i'm still without a cloak
there's a method to winning his auctions. You actually have to be there when the auction is ending and outbid the top bidder at the last second. Posting the max you're willing to spend at the very begining works too. Auctions that end in the early morning hours or the afternoon hours are the easiest ones to win.
Plus sometimes he has some listed w/Buy It Now.
I currently have a rediculously high bid on some fabric I need for an upcoming project, 9 yards of Royal Blue Velveteen. I am the only one with bids at this juncture for an auction that ends tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks for all the interesting feedback I really wanted to hear from people who had bought garb from him - I've been on this crazy quest to find unique and different things to wear at faire that fits within my budget - I've never seen anything like his designs and most of his garb is under 100$ - I love the over bust corset with tails and a hood - Thanks to my dearest friend for telling me about VonLancelot - It was great to get back in touch with you Lady Raven as I do adore your VonLancelot bodice - I did end up winning a chemise and I'm thrilled with it - Thanks!
Quote from: squiregaby on March 29, 2010, 10:03:45 AM
there's a method to winning his auctions. You actually have to be there when the auction is ending and outbid the top bidder at the last second. Posting the max you're willing to spend at the very begining works too. Auctions that end in the early morning hours or the afternoon hours are the easiest ones to win.
That's the only way I
ever win any eBay auctions...
I just bid on 2 leather corsets from Vonlancelot. Thanks for the advice about last minute bidding.
Gina
I bid on and won a Civil War gown. The pic on ebay showed the gown with a large bow on the back. When the gown arrived it did not have the bow.
I also bid on and won a corset with removable sleeves. The pic on ebay showed the corset with buttons to attach the sleeves. The corset arrived with no buttons.
I did leave negative feedback on these two items. Otherwise the quality of the gown and corset are very good.
Gina
Ok, I have to jump in here as I could not resist. I make renaissance costumes and sell them on E-bay. Vonlancelot copied one of my designs as well. He has also copied quite a few other sellers on E-bay too. I go through his feedback quite often. He uses plastic boning and quite a few times he has sent a garment that has a zipper missing or buttons etc. There are quite a few that do not receive their garb and he will not answer their e-mails, or he makes them pay for return shipping. He also has a website outside of E-bay. The blogs from some of the customers are saying he does not send their items nor does he answer them. One person had her costume charged 3 times on the credit card and he will not answer her e-mails. People have tried to call him and the phone number listed is not correct.
I ship internationally quite often and I always mark the package as a gift so the customer will not get a large duty tax. He does not do that as he gets negatives about that too.
He made a victorian gown that was shown as brown in the picture. The customer got another color. I notice he does not list what color the costume is in his listings. He also makes you think that you are getting a shirt and a skirt from the picture and he does not tell you that you are bidding on the skirt only. His fabric is also cheap as I am sure his labor is too. They are very underhandedly sneaky.
wife just tried her new Medieval Princess Tunic Gown purchased from them on today and it is beautiful. it is a cotton flax linen blend that really looks more like flax. she has some dresses from armstreet and it is of the same quality at about 1/4 the price. this is the one she has
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This was actually made by Armstreet first and Vonlancelot copied his design. Armstreet has been making this design for years, alot longer then I have been selling myself. Vonlancelot started out selling cloaks only. The first design he started to copy was Damsel in this dress. Then I noticed about 6 or 8 months ago he copied mine and many other sellers on E-bay. I have been selling my design for at least 4 years, he just started selling "my design" less then a year ago. He changes something minor or he add something so it does not look exactly like ours, but, it is pretty obvious.
I received the second corset I bid on and won from Vonlancelot. The boning is plastic and it kinked while the corset was folded for shipment. Is there a way to un-kink plastic boning?
I have to say the 3 items I purchased are well made and the fabrics are beautiful. I decided not to return any of the items due to the negative feedback I read regarding returns to Vonlancelot. I chose to provide negative feedback as well.
But all that said, I will not bid on any more items from Vonlancelot.
Gina
Quote from: arbcoind on April 28, 2010, 08:40:03 AM
I received the second corset I bid on and won from Vonlancelot. The boning is plastic and it kinked while the corset was folded for shipment. Is there a way to un-kink plastic boning?
But all that said, I will not bid on any more items from Vonlancelot.
Gina
Test iron the piece to make sure the fabric is not polyester. If its not you can hot iron out some of the kink.
But that is not a complete fix.
Quote from: bran_gray on March 26, 2010, 06:06:29 PM
I support my vendors at the faires I attend...because without them where would I and these wonderful faires be without them?
Hopefully, the fairs in eastern Nebraska will get big enough to attract the professional Garb makers.
Since the demise of the Renaissance Faire of the Midlands, there have been no vendors other than the Mom and Pop variety.
Not to be too hard on these folks, but their quality is generally poor and the selection is miserable. Too often it's obvious they just threw together a few pieces themselves (a LOT of bodices with no boning at all, and horrible fabrics) to sell to the mundanes, or they bought a crap load of what looks to be the less popular lines of Museum Reproduction Site clearance items for resale.
I don't buy from Von Lancelot at all, but then I dont' trust any online site that doesn't use real models, and that includes little asian girls in blond wigs LOL. I will save my ducats for Moresca or Likely Lotus.
Quote from: arbcoind on April 23, 2010, 08:26:36 AM
I bid on and won a Civil War gown. The pic on ebay showed the gown with a large bow on the back. When the gown arrived it did not have the bow.
Try Recollections for Civil War/Victorian. Cheap and VERY well made in the USA.
~Rowen
To unkink the plastic boning, try a hair dryer. Blow the hot air on the kinked boning, and surrounding area. When the plastic is pliable, set the garment down onto a flat surface and let it cool naturally. You may need to repeat the process.
Additionally, a sunny day my help you! Set the garment on the floor where the sun shines through the window. Leave it. Check it at sunset. The heat from the sun may be enough to make the plastic boning pliable, and gravity will straighten it out.
I have actually used both of these methods successfully with different hard plastic items.
Good luck!
I purchased a victorian gown from Recollections, it is beautiful.
Thanks to all who gave suggestions on how to un-kink plastic boning. Upon further inspection, the boning is in the "tails" of the back of the corset. I don't think the boning is necessary as this part of the corset is well below my waist. I should hang straight over my butt and thighs, so I will remove the boning. If I'm wrong, I will replace the boning.
PRF has only one supplier of corsets and bodices (medium quality). So I'm pretty much forced to shop online.
Gina
arbocind would you be opposed to showing pictures so we can see the bodice on real people?
if you would like to see one here is the link to a picture our dear Eloquent took of me at BARF
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=30457579&op=2&o=global&view=global&subj=100000804256631&id=1531590068
It is the hooded corset with one of his waistcinchers and his short sleeve blouse. its the same I'm wearing in my profile pic but i know thats hard to see
I'm not opposed to showing a pic of me in a Vonlancelot corset. Only problem, I do not have a digital camera nor do I have a camera in my cell phone. Woot?
Gina
The first time I saw a tailed bodice from DitD, I fell in love. I looked on ebay to see if she had listings there and did a search for coat tail bodice or something and VL's stuff came up. I thought it was a rip off and I personally don't like leather. I had a huge hunch he copied DitD, but recently obviously found out that was true. I saw a woman wearing one of VL's bodice with the tails and leather at the Oklahoma renfest, where Damsel in this Dress had a shop. I wonder if she ever saw that woman. All I know is I only saw 1 of VL's bodice and I can't even count how many of DitD's stuff, including the one I was wearing. But even thought there was so much of her stuff, no 2 were the same.
I've never been a fan of his stuff for personal reasons, though I have heard both good and bad things.
Over the memorial Day weekend while attending the Chippewa Valley Renaissance Fesitval, there were several women wearing VL bodices. The faux Snakeskin Vinyl that much of the bodices were made from had to be hot, due to it being a bit on the warm side that day. Though very bearable while wearing garb made from Natural fibers.
I have purchased some of his items for Pirate attire but can not find him on ebay any longer. Does anyone know if he has a new store? My husband and I love his work and would like to purchase more items. I have found a few items forsale on ebay but not directly from his store.
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=15418.0
see this thread on the subject.
Gina