Behind the Seams

Emilio Pucci gown It requires approximately 250 hours and 15 experienced embroiderers to construct this gown, which is made from cotton tulle and silk georgette, and completely overlaid with metallic Japanese glass beads, electroplate studs, and metal sequins. Price: $22,500.

Courtesy of Firstview.

Marni skirt Before work even begins on this skirt, there is a three-hour quality-control process during which goose, rooster, and Dutch duck feathers are inspected, ensuring they are up to snuff. Each of the plush plumes is then exactingly positioned and hand- stitched onto alpaca wool. Once the desired color-block effect is achieved, the waistband is embroidered with rhinestones and brass casings. Price: $2,790.

Courtesy of CNP Montrose.

Christopher Kane dress Thirty hours are spent creating this dress, which is made from different triangular components, each consisting of 30 layers of French silk organza. The individual layers are cut by hand and carefully sewn together using delicate chain stitches, giving the effect of pages flipping open in a book. Price: $7,805.

Courtesy of CNP Montrose.

Fendi fur coat Comprising a quilted undercoat made with diagonal stitching and a knit collar, and an outercoat assembled from multicolored mink inlaid on mesh, this camouflage creation takes about 60 hours for an in-house artisan to complete. Price: $21,000.

Courtesy of Fendi.

Mary Katrantzou sweater Partnering with royal warrant holder Hand & Lock, the oldest embroidery house in England, Katrantzou creates elaborate heraldic designs, which are embellished with gold bullion thread and hand-sewn onto a sweater made from sustainably sourced Saga mink. The 100-hour-plus process has been documented in a film currently viewable on Hand & Lock’s website. Price: $71,775.

Courtesy of CNP Montrose.