Frequently asked questions
What you need
to know.
Answers to our most common questions, organised by topic. If something isn't covered here, write to us at hello@dlctcontemporary.com — we respond within 24 hours.
Placing an order
Browse and add pieces to your cart directly on our website. At checkout, you will be prompted to enter your shipping and payment details. Once your order is confirmed, you will receive an email acknowledgement — this is your order record.
If you experience any difficulty at checkout, please contact us at hello@dlctcontemporary.com before attempting a second purchase.
Orders enter our fulfilment process immediately upon payment. For this reason, we are generally unable to accommodate modifications once an order has been placed.
If you notice an error — such as an incorrect shipping address — please contact us at hello@dlctcontemporary.com as soon as possible. We will do our best to assist if the order has not yet been dispatched, but cannot guarantee changes can be made.
Payment
We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as payment methods available at checkout. All transactions are processed securely. DLCT Contemporary does not store payment information.
Yes. All payments are processed through our secure checkout platform. We do not have access to, nor do we store, your card or banking details at any point.
Cancellations
All sales are final at the point of payment. Because our orders enter fulfilment immediately, we are not able to cancel or reverse transactions once they have been processed.
Our policy: We do not offer order cancellations. Payment processing fees are non-recoverable and are incurred the moment a transaction is completed, regardless of order status.If your piece arrives and does not meet our standard, our returns process is available to you within 14 calendar days of delivery. Please review our Returns Policy for full details.
Contact us immediately at hello@dlctcontemporary.com with both order numbers. We will review the situation and, where the duplicate has not yet entered fulfilment, do our best to assist. Please note that payment processing fees are incurred at the point of transaction and are non-refundable in any circumstance.
Dispatch & delivery
All orders are dispatched from our studio in Accra, Ghana via DHL Express.
Please allow 1–2 business days for your order to be prepared and dispatched. Once it leaves our studio, DHL Express typically delivers within 2–5 working days.
During peak periods — including seasonal sales and public holidays — processing may take slightly longer. We appreciate your patience as we ensure each piece is perfectly prepared.
We offer complimentary shipping above regional order thresholds. A flat rate applies to orders below these amounts:
- United States — complimentary above $600 | $35 flat rate
- United Kingdom — complimentary above £350 | £20 flat rate
- Nigeria — complimentary above $300 | $20 flat rate
- Ghana (Accra) — always complimentary
- Ghana (outside Accra) — $10 flat rate
- Rest of world — complimentary above $500 | $30 flat rate
Full details are available on our Shipping & Delivery page.
Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive a shipping confirmation email containing your DHL tracking number. Please allow up to 48 hours for tracking information to become active.
If your order has not arrived within 14 days of your shipping confirmation, please reach out at hello@dlctcontemporary.com with your name and order number.
Duties & customs
Duties and taxes are not included in your checkout total unless explicitly stated. If your order value exceeds your country's duty-free (de minimis) threshold, import fees may be levied upon delivery by your local customs authority.
These charges are outside our control and cannot be estimated in advance. We recommend contacting your local customs office before placing a high-value order if you are uncertain of the applicable fees.
We ship to most countries worldwide via DHL Express. If your country is not available at checkout, please contact us at hello@dlctcontemporary.com and we will advise on available options.
Our policy
This applies to all purchases without exception. By placing an order with DLCT Contemporary, you confirm your understanding and acceptance of this policy.
Returns are accepted within 14 calendar days of delivery, subject to our care conditions. Store credit is issued once the returned piece has arrived at our studio and passed our quality assessment.
Restocking fee: A 15% restocking fee is deducted from all store credit issued. This reflects the cost of inspection, repackaging, and processing, and applies without exception.Initial shipping costs are non-refundable. Return shipping is arranged and paid for by the customer.
Each returned piece is carefully inspected, assessed against our care standards, and where eligible, repackaged for its next owner. The 15% restocking fee reflects the true cost of this process — it is not a penalty, but a standard that allows us to maintain the integrity of every piece we offer.
We do not offer direct exchanges. If you would like a different size, colour, or piece, you are welcome to return your eligible item for store credit (subject to our restocking fee and return conditions) and place a new order.
The return process
Returns are initiated through your customer account. Submit your request within 14 calendar days of receiving your order. Our team will review and confirm eligibility — if approved, you will receive our studio address by email.
Once confirmed, please dispatch the piece within 3 working days using a fully trackable courier service. The piece must reach our studio within 10 working days of approval. Requests that fall outside either window are automatically ineligible.
Returned pieces must arrive exactly as they left us:
- Unworn, unaltered, and unwashed
- Free of fragrance, markings, or any trace of wear
- All original tags intact and original packaging preserved
- Securely packaged with return label affixed
Pieces that do not meet these standards will not be accepted and will be returned to you at your own expense.
Yes. Any duties or customs charges incurred when a return shipment arrives at our studio will be deducted from the store credit amount, in addition to the 15% restocking fee.
We recommend using a courier that minimises customs exposure where possible, and clearly marking the parcel as a return on any customs documentation.
Final sale & exclusions
The following are designated final sale and cannot be returned under any circumstances:
- All sale and promotional pieces
- Custom and made-to-order garments
- Pieces acquired at our pop-up events
This is a condition of how these pieces are made and priced — not an oversight.
If a piece arrives in a condition that does not reflect our standard, please contact us at hello@dlctcontemporary.com immediately upon receipt, with your order number and photographs of the issue.
We will attend to the matter with care and without delay. Defective pieces are handled separately from our standard returns process.
Sizing & fit
Each product page includes a size guide specific to that piece. As our garments are designed with considered proportions, we recommend measuring yourself and comparing against the guide rather than relying on standard sizing alone.
If you are between sizes or have questions about a specific piece, write to us at hello@dlctcontemporary.com — we are happy to advise.
Our pieces are designed to a specific fit intention — some are relaxed and fluid, others more structured. The fit notes on each product page will guide you. When in doubt, please reach out before purchasing; we would rather help you find the right piece than process a return.
Care & materials
Care instructions are included on each garment's label and product page. As a general principle, we recommend gentle handling — cool washes where applicable, laying flat to dry, and storing away from direct sunlight.
For silk and delicate fabrications, professional dry cleaning is advised. Pieces that have been washed contrary to care instructions are not eligible for return.
Our pieces are designed and produced with intention — material sourcing, construction, and finishing are each considered as part of the creative process. Specific production details are noted on individual product pages where relevant.
Availability
Our collections are produced in considered quantities. Restocks are not guaranteed. If a piece you are interested in is unavailable, we recommend joining the waitlist where available, or contacting us at hello@dlctcontemporary.com to be notified if the piece becomes available again.
Select pieces may be available on a made-to-order basis. Please contact us at hello@dlctcontemporary.com to enquire. Please note that all custom and made-to-order garments are final sale and not eligible for return.