There, looming in the distance: a soiree of the utmost importance. Here, standing in front of the closet: you, clueless as to what to wear.

Suddenly, a light goes off in your head. A custom dress is just a phone call (and a few fittings) away with Joyce Jiang, the one-woman powerhouse behind Shior Bridal and its neighboring alteration shop in Buckhead.

Why her? Well, to begin with, she’ll work with your ideas and pick fits to flatter you — a bustle here, a puffed sleeve there — when creating your gown.

She’ll even reconstruct looks from your latest Tootsies obsession; no ruching is too intricate, no seersucker too tough. (Trust us; we saw her wrangle both onto a Ralph Lauren-like couture look that cost a tenth of the label’s price.)

Just one caveat: Jiang can’t promise you anything in less than six weeks. What can we say?

The woman likes to take her time.

If only you could find a man who values the same.

Joyce Jiang, at Shior Bridal, 2900 Peachtree Road NE, suite 216, Buckhead (404-816-1110).