they destroyed my dress..(now with PICTURES!)

LisaT Posted: Feb 08, 2003 12:52 PM

they destroyed my dress..(now with PICTURES!)

I posted a few weeks ago that my dress was ready. Well, I just saw it - I can't believe how much damage they did.

I don't think my MIL looked at the beading before they boxed it up. One side of the beaded bodice is shreading, and the edging of seed pearls is falling off all over. There was nothing wrong with the beading when I brought it in. AND its not even clean! I wasn't expecting perfection but the hemline is still a mess.

I think I'm going to repair what I can, wear it to the ball and then send it off to wedclean, and see if they can get some of the stains out.

I can't believe it. I cry every time I think about it. Honestly, I could still wear it without people noticing the beading damage, but that doesn't make me feel much better about it. These were friends of the family that 'cleaned' & perserved it. My MIL wants me to bring the dress is and talk to them, but I think I'm too emotional about it. I'll wind up crying or screaming, or both.

JennRenee Posted: Feb 08, 2003 12:55 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

Lisa I'm so sorry.
I'm glad the damage is minimal and probably won't be noticed by anyone else, but I can only imagine how sad it makes you. I'm sure I'd feel the same way.

Latina511 Posted: Feb 08, 2003 01:00 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

I am so sorry to hear that. I sent my dress also to friends of the family that specializes in that. Now I am nervous. I just think about it and I know exactly how you are feeling. I hope you can get it fix. How much did they charge you to do that to your dress?

LisaT Posted: Feb 08, 2003 01:11 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

just got the story from my MIL - apparently they hand spotted the stains but they weren't coming out. So they ran the dress through the machine (***!). Actually they put it through the machine TWICE, and the chemicals ate away at the beading. All the pearls are now oddly shaped, or falling off. Even I know that you need to test beading before treating it with chemicals - they're professionals, how could they not test have tested it?

If I wanted in a machine, I could have done that myself.

Edited because I'm amused that (W-T-F!) got bleeped.

natasha Posted: Feb 08, 2003 01:28 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

That is awful. I am so sorry.

Sonicstef Posted: Feb 08, 2003 01:54 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

Im so sorry to hear that!! So much for family friends!

If you really want the damage to be repaired, I would suggest NOT sending it to wedclean but using one of the more expensive places in NYC. Wedclean should be able to get most of the stains out of worn wedding dress but I think the cleaning machines might have set the stains which will reuire more expertise and if the chemicals damaged the beading you will need an expert to repair that as well.

LisaT Posted: Feb 08, 2003 02:02 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

I think you're right - the stains are now set in. Luckily they're mainly on the hem, but they still annoy me.

The beadwork can be somewhat repaired by my MIL, but that only fixes whats hanging off or missing. The remaining pearls that are damaged would require extensive repair to replace each one.

My parents are talking about getting some sort of retribution. I have to discuss it with my MIL (so as not to cause any problems between them) but my folks think the cleaners must have insurance that covers things like this and perhaps I can send it back to Jim Hjelm for repairs and have them pick up the cost.

I don't know...what bothers me the most is that they didn't even tell me. If I didn't take apart the box I wouldn't have known for years.

natasha Posted: Feb 08, 2003 03:46 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

They would have insurance to cover this kind of damage. Speak to them see what they are willing to do. Good luck.

Diane Posted: Feb 08, 2003 03:49 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

so sorry to hear that!!!!!

Teri Posted: Feb 08, 2003 04:01 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

so sorry to hear about that I can't imagine how frustrated you must be. They should compensate you in some way, even though the $$ isn't most important.

Cira Posted: Feb 08, 2003 06:36 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

Lisa, I'm sooo sorry! I can't believe they didn't even tell you. I bet they thought you weren't going to open the box for like 20 years and then they would have said it wasn't their fault! Some people!!!!
If I was you MIL, I would be so angry and telling those 'friends' off! They ruined your dress and they didn't even have the nerve to tell you guys!!! Ughh!!!

alina Posted: Feb 08, 2003 09:48 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

Lisa, I am sorry about your dress.
I am not sure if this may work, but if you have regular plastic beads covered with paint to look like pearls a trip to Michaels may be worth it. I bought a big bag of fake pearls there to make hairpins for about $3.00, as it turned out they matched the pearls on my dress. Perhaps this will help and you can then re-attach the pearls? I wouldn't trust anyone with the dress after its been damaged, except for professionals.
I hope some repairs can be done!

michele31 Posted: Feb 08, 2003 10:27 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

I would call Jim Helms and discuss the situation, then tell the cleaners you expect them to cover the cost of this mess.
I am really sorry about this! That is awful.

shamma Posted: Feb 09, 2003 08:32 AM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about your beautiful dress. I was thinking maybe calling the designer and see what they could do, if they cannot do anything, then take it back to the cleaners. At least you can still wear it to the ball. Hope you feel better soon. Let us know the outcome. Chin up

jlf41 Posted: Feb 09, 2003 09:40 AM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

Oh Lisa, I am so sorry. I feel such an attachment to your beautiful dress - given that I have the same one I hope you are able to get it fixed. Keep us posted- keeping my fingers crossed everything works out.

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 09, 2003 09:55 AM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

This is horrible, Lisa...I am so sorry I think you should contact Jim Helm and see if they can fix it, and ask the 'family friend' to either refund your money, or pay to fix the dress...it would be the right thing to do. Good luck!

yabbobay Posted: Feb 09, 2003 11:08 AM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

lisa...what a shame...i'm so sorry...

you could dye the dress a darker ivory/beige to go to the ball?

LisaT Posted: Feb 11, 2003 08:55 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

Erica-the dress is a dark ivory, but appears much lighter in pictures. I've brought it back to CA with me, and I'm wearing it to the ball next week.

I've come to terms with it and gained a little perspective. Its not destroyed. The dress is still gorgeous. And it was perfect for the day I needed it most. But...

I'm writing to Jim Hjelm and to the dry cleaners explaining the damage (with pics) and hoping one of them takes responsibilty for it. The tag on the dress does not forbid machine cleaning. My MIL talked to them today and they claim not to have noticed any damage.

Here are some pics so you can see what I'm talking about. Its the pearl border around the bodice and sleeves that was hit the hardest. Other pearls are mishaped and crystals are missing, but its really hard to see that.

Teri Posted: Feb 11, 2003 09:53 PM

Re: they destroyed my dress..

so sorry you're going through this. Is the damage visible from far away (when you'll wear it)? Is it possible that the cleaners didn't notice? Either way, it should be their responsibility to have this fixed.