frequently asked questions . . . 

fitting and process questions . . . 

How do I schedule a fitting with La' Ber Bikini?
Scheduling is easy.  Shoot over a text, an e-mail or even a DM to Leyla on any La' Ber Bikini account, or give her a call/text at 201.448.5557 to schedule your fitting.  Bikini fittings are available Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
When should I schedule a fitting?
It depends on the amount of work that is needed on the suit.  Usually, we go according to the amount of crystals that you choose. See below to get an idea of how to schedule for the amount of crystals you want.
Example:
  • Solid (no stones) suits will take 2 weeks* - Schedule ~3 weeks out.
  • Light Scattered / Rainfall suits will take 4 weeks* - Schedule ~2 months out.
  • Extreme Scattered / Rainfall suits will take 6-8 weeks* - Schedule ~3-4 months out.
  • Ultimate suits will take 10-12 weeks* - Schedule ~4-5 months out.
NOTE: ALL SUITS WILL BE READY THE WEEK OF YOUR SHOW! If the suit is done earlier, I will reach out.  You can come in 10 weeks out for a light scattered suit, I will still say the week of your show because of other orders that may have to be done earlier than yours. If you do want your suit earlier, please give me an earlier date (with the minimum requirement listed above).
*These estimated times above all depending on whether or not I have the color/fabric, connectors, and stones all in stock.  Some pre-order items can be back-stocked and can take an extra week or two to come in.  
Anything I should do before I come in for my first fitting?
Please have an idea of what color you're looking for (although, this can change within the hour you're with me, haha).  I also would like to know what your budget is, so I can show you stoning designs that are within your budget.  Before you come in, take a look at the products on our website and the starting prices for these designs.  Please also stalk the instagram hashtags #bikinicompetitor #customcompetitionbikini #competitionbikini, so you can see some different designs that you may not see on my website.  Everything is handmade, so for the most part (if it can be done by hand) I can do it. ​
What should I expect during my first fitting?
First off, expect to spend at least an hour with me!  The first fitting should not be rushed, and although I do have other clients after you, I like to take my time and understand exactly what you want.  During your first fitting, you will be trying on a few sample bikinis (which 99.9% of the time, they won't fit you!).  These are just samples and what we work off of.  The first fitting is where you will choose the color and cuts of the suit, as these cannot be changed from this point on!  Any changes to the color or the cut (made by you, not us) will cost you $60 per piece (top / bottom) to remake, as long as we haven't stoned the suit yet.  Bringing your shoes are just a preference and we usually recommend bringing your shoes during the second and third fittings so you can take photos with your actual suit.
Do you require any type of deposit?
I do require a minimum $100 non-refundable cash deposit at your first fitting. If you do not leave the minimum deposit, I cannot start the process. A second non-refundable cash deposit of $100 is required at the second fitting for me to start the stoning. All deposits are put towards the entire suit, so your balance will definitely reflect these deposits. ​Also, please know that the suit will not be released to you without full balance being paid. Absolutely no refunds, returns, or exchanges. Only cash is accepted to make payment for bikinis.
First fitting is done... What's next?
The second fitting! Haha!  The second fitting is your "base" fitting.  What this means is that we have cut and sewn up YOUR suit in the color and cuts that you chose during your first fitting.  This is YOUR SUIT (just without the stoning).  We want to make sure all of the cuts that we discussed fit you correctly before we move forward.  After this point, anything we discussed stoning wise during the first fitting cannot be changed.  So, if you have any changes to the stoning colors and design - you should let me know during your second fitting!  After the second fitting, PLEASE BE PATIENT :) [see below by what I mean lol]
It's been a few weeks since I've heard from you, is my suit ready?!
I'm a one (wo)man show!  Patience is key.  I do everything by hand, and I have multiple orders at a time. You're more than welcome to message me at any time to ask me about your suit.  If I haven't reached out that it's ready, it's because it isn't ready yet.  I know and absolutely understand that you are under a lot of stress and most likely hangry (trust me, I get it! LOL!), but please don't take it out on the bikini designer!  Please understand that I do not only do one suit at a time.  If you come in for your fittings in March and have a July show, but I have another client that comes in April for a June show, her suit will be done before yours (for obvious reason being that her show is earlier).  I do not put anyone's suit before anyone else's for any personal reasons. I go according to SHOW DATES.  Your suit will be ready the Saturday before your show date (but if you do come in under my required "weeks out" timing, it can be as late as the Wednesday before your show!).  If I am done with the suit earlier than the Saturday before your show, you will hear from me to schedule a pick-up fitting.  TRUST THE PROCESS! :)  [Tip: If you want the suit done earlier, give me an earlier show date! I only go according to show dates, and I will always tell you that the suit will be done the Saturday before your show.]

other questions . . . 

What kind of crystals do you use?
We can use two types of crystals.  For the price points seen on the website, we use Percoisa czech flatback crystals.  These crystals have a very beautiful shine on stage, and shimmer amazingly, yet are super affordable.  However, if you do prefer Swarovski crystals, we have upgrade options on every suit that you can choose Swarovski over Percoisa.  Swarovski does add a little more shimmer to the crystal, but Percoisa shimmers just as beautifully under the stage lights. 
A few stones fell off my suit, is this normal? What can I do?
Absolutely normal! Pulling and tugging on the suit to adjust it will cause some stones to get loose, this happens!  I will provide you a little baggie of extra stones that you can use to glue back into place.  You can use the mini crazy glue or e6000 glues in clear to glue them back on into place. 
Can I wash my suit?
You cannot machine wash your crystallized competition suit as all of the crystals will fall off.  You may take warm water and a tooth brush to clean the Bikini Bite or Bum Tape off the inside of the suit.  Please know that spray tan will not come off of the suit!  Try to avoid touching the outside of the suit (especially if it's a lighter color) when your spray tan is still wet.  Avoid wearing the suit at all costs when you are not 100% dried with the spray tan.  
Someone else is paying for my suit, how will this work?
Exactly the way it would if you were paying for it. Bring in the deposit payment from your coach/sponsor, and I can provide an e-mail invoice that will state his/her/their name(s) and payments made/due. Again, the suit will not be started without the deposits and will not be released until the balance is paid in full.

any other questions you want answered?