I'll just come out and say it: I'm a Colette Anti-fan, as they say in Asia.
I loved their initial 50s-inspired style of nearly 10 years ago. But I never made a single because I kept reading about the extra-wide necklines. Being Petite, my shoulders are narrower than standard so if average height people were struggling, where would I be!?!?!? Never mind the capri pants they had with no butt space!
But the Rue Debacle last year soured me completely on them and I never ever recommend them. When 1 out 27 seamstresses in a contest gets a good fit, there is a problem. When you talk about braiinstorming an original design with mood boards et al...and then someone find the vintage dress you copied online, there is a problem.
(Funnily enough, I bought a couple of real vintage patterns that MUST have been the originals they copied.)
If you don't know about this story bc you were a member of PR, you'll think Colette is the greatest indie ever! But they sent 1 email to PR when things got really hot and never posted a single mention of the episode on any of their social media. Basically, sweeping things under the rug.
All the marketing and spin they put out afterwards showed me that the SBC was blinded by all the pretty dresses.
I think that the fangurling around Colette, By Hand London and Tilly And The Buttons is really off-putting. I watch a number of sewing vloggers on YouTube. Seems like those are the only brands they sew, poor things. And in Cotton+Steel quilting cottons, no less! Such a shame
The current blank designs at Colette do not appeal at all. And the photoshopping incidents in the past have made me very suspicious of their "new and improved" draft.
Sorry, went all ranty there for a bit but my mind is still reeling at the incompetence disguised behind the pattern knoc-offs...