All reviews are from verifiable clients – we would be happy to give you references. In addition to private clients we also do custom designing and dressmaking and costume building for clients such as The National Ballet of Canada, The Ritz Carlton Toronto, Oliver and Bonacini Restaurants, The San Francisco Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, the Joffery Ballet and BalletMet in Columbus Ohio.
From Facebook:
Kristen Loritz ★★★★
I’ve worked with Jim & Chris for several years as a former skater on the NEXXICE Senior synchronized skating team. The quality was always superb and that’s a real testament when you’re tasked with creating 20 identical dresses for an entire team! There was no question who I wanted to work with on my wedding dress, and it was such a pleasure to be part of the vision and planning process; we came down to a dress that was both comfortable, modern and elegant and I was absolutely thrilled with the result! Highly recommend HC for ANY fashion needs!!
Alicia Mae ★★★★★
Incredible team! Their ability to design structural modern couture is nothing short of brilliant. Jaw’s dropped at the masterpiece they made for my NYC wedding! Such a breath of fresh air to work with. Thank You!
Kesha Rachelle Frank ★★★★★
I found Hoax couture online, read some reviews and was impressed by their charity fundraising efforts. Jim and Chris responded to my initial inquiry very promptly and we got the ball rolling from there. I had a custom grown made for my wedding – I wanted grey velvet, slightly less traditional than the white gown so I could wear it again and again in the future. Every meeting with them was pleasant and professional. They did a wonderful job sourcing options for fabric I wanted and the final product was absolutely beautiful. I got so many compliments on my dress the night of our wedding. I’m so glad I chose Jim and Chris, if I ever had anything else I wanted made or that needed alternation, my first choice would be to return to them.
Thanks Jim and Chris!
From Yelp:
Note: All yelp reviews are 100% verifiable and references are available
Sheeva J ★★★★★
“I came to Hoax with a picture as my prom dress inspiration, and Jim brought it to life as perfectly as I could have imagined!”
Kit M: ★★★★★
“My experience with Hoax Couture was incredible from start to finish. I went to them for my custom wedding dress and I can say with confidence that there is no one else in the city of Toronto who could’ve done such a perfect job creating what I dreamed of.”
Holly S.: ★★★★★
“I just picked up 4 beautiful custom made linen shirts from Jim and Chris at Hoax Couture … The shirts are timeless and so flawlessly constructed I’m sure i will still be wearing them when I’m 80.”
Gillian S.: ★★★★★
I contacted Jim at Hoax two months before a major event. I only knew the type of fabric I wanted used for a new ball gown, and nothing more. Timelines were tight, and expectations were high. Jim set up a time to meet and we worked beautifully together to design the entire look. The craftsmanship, quality and beauty of the finished product took my breath away. It was an incredible pleasure to work with Jim … I look forward to more creations in the years to come!!
Maire L: ★★★★★
I brought a picture of ‘the dress’…a very complicated pattern,and they made it up perfectly. Extremely skillful, great eyes for detail, and welcoming your input … I never had a moment’s doubt,and they more than fulfilled my expectations. Not only that,they work very efficiently and they are on time and they are really nice people as well.
I couldn’t recommend them more highly.
From NOW Magazine:
Winners – Fashion Designer of the year – 1999, 2001, 2002 (category no longer supported)
From Toronto Life:
“Getting into the store itself feels like and illicit adventure: dial the studio’s number and someone will fetch you from the corner, leading you swiftly down a graffiti- splattered alley, through an unmarked door and up a narrow staircase until you reach a rooftop patio – the perfect setting for your two-on-one consultation with designers Jim Searle and Chris Tyrell. Some of their recent bespoke confections include show-stoping reversible fox fur coats, Gucci-esque suits, wedding dresses and a slew of party frocks – from $750.” Toronto Life Stylebook March 13, 2012
From GOOGLE:
AG Toronto ★★★★★
“Meticulous, funny, and inviting, Chris and Jim are craftsmen of the highest order. They designed and made a custom 3-piece suit for my wedding which fit like a glove. I was a bit nervous at first but they made the entire experience very relaxing and painless. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for amazing work.” AG Toronto
Chantel Collado ★★★★★
loved working with Jim and Chris ! Jim did an amazing job creating my prom dress for my 2015 prom back in June. I went in to meet up with Jim back in April and showed him a picture of what i wanted to design…. he drew the idea in front of me, and exactly how that picture was drawn, was exactly my prom dress turned out !!! i would recommend anyone to work with both Jim or Chris for future dresses if you would like it custom made. My dress fit like a glove and every time id go for a fitting, my dress slowly started to look like my dream dress! I was absolutely thrilled to work with Jim and for the price of my dress, i would work with him again for future special occasions!!!!! Very talented and kind and their studio makes you feel at home !!! thanks again for making my dream dress look perfect on me!!! <3
From www.n49.com
If I may, I might suggest that you consider HOAX Couture. My experience with them has been outstanding. It’s a cool place with a very interesting history. Chris & Jim are wonderful, down to earth, attentive, and attitude-free. And the first time I bought a dress from them (I fell in love with it in their window!), I had to do it on a layaway plan–& I was not for a moment made to feel like anything but a respected customer; they were happy to see me so happy when I stepped out of the fitting room looking like a princess. That’s what it’s all about..” TEENATUNER Toronto
From USA Today:
Jim Searle and Chris Tyrell design unique clothing for discerning clients that include celebrities and society mavens, as well as people who just prefer to dress with a bit more pizzazz than you find off the rack. One-of-a-kind jackets, gowns, shirts, trousers and skirts for work, gala dinner parties, high school proms, weddings and even everyday wear. If you have a picture, they can make it, but they can also custom design items for you.