Legal

Terms & Conditions

Last updated: June 2026

1. Agreement to terms

By commissioning work at The Black Lapel (operated by Hongkong Custom Tailors, 4 Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai 600020), you agree to these terms and conditions. They govern all commissions, alterations, and related services.

2. Commissions and deposits

A commission begins when a deposit is paid and cloth is selected. Our standard deposit is fifty percent of the total commission value, with the balance due on collection of the finished garment. For commissions above a certain value, specific deposit terms will be agreed and confirmed in writing.

The deposit confirms your commission and initiates the pattern-drafting and cloth-sourcing process. Once cloth has been cut for your commission, the deposit is non-refundable, as the cloth has been purchased specifically for you and cannot be returned to the mill.

3. Cloth and materials

Cloth is sourced from our principal mill suppliers and purchased specifically for each commission. Colours and patterns as seen in swatch form may vary slightly from the finished cloth under different lighting conditions; we will draw your attention to significant variations at the time of cloth selection. We cannot be responsible for colour variation within the normal tolerance of textile production.

If a specific cloth is unavailable or discontinued between the time of selection and the time of sourcing, we will contact you immediately and offer equivalent alternatives. If no equivalent is acceptable, the commission may be cancelled with a full deposit refund.

4. Fittings and alterations

Our standard bespoke commission includes two fittings. Additional fittings required due to significant changes in the client's measurements or posture between fittings may be chargeable. Post-delivery alterations on garments we have made are included for minor adjustments within three months of delivery; alterations required due to significant changes in the client's measurements thereafter are chargeable at standard alteration rates.

We ask clients to attend fittings wearing the shoes and undergarments they intend to wear with the finished garment. We cannot be responsible for fit issues resulting from the use of significantly different shoes or undergarments at the fitting versus in ordinary wear.

5. Timelines and delivery

Delivery timelines are estimates based on our current production schedule and are not guarantees. We communicate timeline changes promptly. We cannot be held liable for delays resulting from cloth supply chain disruptions, force majeure events, or circumstances outside our reasonable control.

Garments that are ready for collection will be held at the atelier for thirty days from the notification of completion. After thirty days, storage charges may apply. Garments uncollected after ninety days may, at our discretion, be disposed of, with any outstanding balance remaining due.

6. Payment

We accept payment by cash, bank transfer, and UPI. Cheque payments are accepted at the atelier's discretion. The full balance is due before the garment is taken from the atelier. We do not extend credit.

7. Alterations on third-party garments

We accept alteration commissions on garments not made by us at our discretion. We will advise at the time of assessment whether a garment is suitable for the requested alteration. We cannot guarantee the result of alterations on garments where the original construction is inadequate to hold the work, and we will say so before commencing. If an alteration reveals unexpected construction problems once work has begun, we will contact you before proceeding.

8. Liability

Our liability in respect of any commission is limited to the value of that commission. We are not liable for consequential losses — including but not limited to the loss of a specific occasion due to a delayed garment. We recommend commissioning with sufficient lead time to accommodate delays.

9. Governing law

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of India. Disputes arising from commissions at The Black Lapel are subject to the jurisdiction of courts in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

10. Contact

Questions about these terms may be directed to hello@theblacklapel.com or to The Black Lapel, 4 Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai 600020.