.png)
Erika Erlenbach
Atelier
A couture and costume studio dedicated to creating meaningful garments for the moments that matter most. Red carpet. Special occasion. Drag and performance. Bridal. Theatrical. Film. Every commission begins with a conversation.
Built on years of haute couture technique, theatrical construction, and the discipline of dressing performers who move, sweat, and tell a story.
Made With Love in NW Indiana to Tell a Story From Anywhere in the World.
.png)
Work From The Atelier
@erikaerlenbach.atelier
Find More From The Atelier Instagram
WHAT THE ATELER CREATES
One-of-a-kind pieces for the moments that matter most
Red Carpet & Special Occasion
For the entrance. For the photograph. For the night you walk into a room and need to feel like the most extraordinary version of yourself.
Eveningwear ~ Gala looks ~ Premiere pieces ~ Statement garments ~ Editorial fashion
Bridal & Formal
Wedding gowns, reception looks, and formal pieces that feel like you — not like a sample from a rack.
Wedding gowns ~ Bridal alternatives ~ Reception looks ~ Veils & accessories
Drag & Performance Wear
Built to move, to survive the night, and to make everyone in the room look at you first. Construction that performs as hard as you do.
Drag looks ~ Burlesque ~ Performance costumes ~ Stage wear ~ Custom character builds
Costume & Theatrical Design
Custom costumes for theater, film, entertainment productions, and events. Where storytelling meets the fabric.
Theater ~ Film ~ Entertainment ~ Specialty builds ~ Transforming garments
Don't see your project? If it involves extraordinary construction and a specific story — reach out.
Design philosophy
ELE teaches people to create. The Atelier demonstrates what mastery looks like.
The Atelier is where years of training, theatrical production, and couture technique converge into a single garment built entirely for one person. Not fast. Not mass-produced. Not trend-driven.
"Every project begins with the wearer, the purpose, and the story being told."
Erika holds a BAA in Fashion Design with a Theater minor — and brings years of experience across bridal, theatrical production on ships, national touring productions, and drag and performance costume design.
BAA
Fashion Design · Theater minor
Pattern engineering, construction, drape, couture technique — built from first principles.
Ships
Theater · Aqua · Ice · Parade shows
Lead seamstress on productions across the world. Fitting casts of forty plus before curtain.
Bridal
Custom looks · Accessories
Crafting looks for everlasting moments. Making sure you look and feel your best for every special occasion.
Drag & Burlesque
Performance · Stage · Custom
Custom performance looks where construction, transformation, and storytelling all work at once.
HOW IT WORKS
Every commission begins with a conversation.
01
The Conversation
Tell me about the occasion, the feeling, the version of yourself you're stepping into that night.
02
The Vision
Sketches, fabric selection, references. We build a shared picture of what the piece will become.
03
The Build
Pattern drafted to your measurements. Muslin fitting. Construction. Every seam intentional.
04
The Moment
Final fitting. Finishing. Delivery. The piece is yours — made for your story, ready for the night.
The Atelier takes on CUSTOM WORK ONLY. Original pieces built from scratch for a specific person, occasion, and story. Pricing depends on scope, fabric, construction complexity, and timeline. For alterations and repairs, visit the ELE Collective — Mail & Mend.
COMMISSIONS & PRICING
Every piece quoted individually.
HOW PAYMENT WORKS
50%
Non-refundable. Required before any work starts. This is when your place in the queue is confirmed.
DEPOSIT TO BEGIN
50%
Due before the final fitting or before the piece is shipped. Payment via invoice, Venmo, or bank transfer.
BALANCE BEFORE DELIVERY
+25%
Applied to any timeline under three weeks. Plan ahead when you can — good work takes time.
RUSH FEE
Every commission includes a written agreement ~ *NOTE* Custom commissions are quoted individually. Most projects begin at $500 and increase according to materials, construction, fittings, and timeline.
.png)