This is news to me...

I am in the very early stages of wedding plans and shopping for a gown. I heard from a few of my friends that bridal shops rip out the tags inside dresses and that its against the law!!!!!
So, I decided to look into it and it is true. The Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) requires that a garment must have a label sewn into it with the manufacturer's name, fiber content,and country of origin. The only way that a bridal shop can get away with removing the tag is by sewing in their own tag which is what alot of them do.
Apparently this is done so that you don't know if you are getting a real designer or just a knock-off and alot of times the shop won't tell you so you can't shop for the price or find the dress elsewhere if you don't want to do business at a certain shop. I'm shocked Just thpought I'd let you know.

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I've heard of this ripping off tags situation, but I didn't experience it first hand. The salons I visited all had tags in the dresses, and the salesladies were more than happy to tell me whose dress I was trying on. I think it's important to know designer and dress #...it's your right to shop around if you want. If I went into a salon and found tags missing, I'd probably just leave. There are lots and lots of good, respectable wedding salons on Long Island to chose from!

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Yep - this is a very common practice at even the swankiest shops.

At the higher end shops, its done so you can't price shop elsewhere. With the advent of web discounters - its probably the only way they stay in business.

One way you can tell a designer is by the hanger straps. Some desingers (not all) print their name on those little satin hanger straps. The shops don't rip those out.

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I went to about 6 ot 7 salons, and about 3 of them had no tags on. Those 3 refused to give me the designers name, however I was able to recognize some of them.

I think these salons are really afraid to lose business. They think you will go comparison shop.

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I'm having an extremely tough time trying to find a gown I tried on at Bridal Couture for this reason! I went to a couple of bridal salons to give them details of the dress to see if they may carry it (I'm concerned about Bridal Couture's business ethics & service) and when I told them that the labels had been ripped out of the dresses at Bridal Couture, they were appalled.

I have no clue who makes the dress and it's driving me insane!!!! I've looked everywhere! It's so unique that if I describe it to a salon employee they'll have to know which gown I'm referring to.

Thursday I'm going to hit a few more locations and pray that they have the dress.

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Describe it to us - maybe we can help. Also - check out what lines Couture carries - it has to be one of those.

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SugarPlums (MOB dresses) does this! They rip tags out and put their own label in it then charge a few hundred more and say 'It is a design made only for us'.
My Stepmother almost brought a $900 dress there that Commack Wedding Center and Bridal Suite in Centereach have for $700!
You would never buy a car that you didn't know which company made. Do not shop at stores like that.

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Jenny- Tell Bridal Couture that you will not spend $$ on a gown that might be a designer or knock-off. You want to know whose gown you are buying. See what they say to that.

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I searched every line they have listed on their website!...And nothing.

The gown is a strapless sheath with beading detail. The beading is gold & pearls and looks like scalloped lace at the bottom. It also has a coordinating scarf/shawl (matching beading at the ends) that covers the shoulders and hangs in the back. It looks very 1920s. It stands out because of it's color. It's called 'champagne,' but looks more like a very light blush. It's obvious next to a white or ivory gown.

I thought it might be a Mariana Hardwick or Amy Kuschel, but I can't seem to find any pics online anywhere (their sites or others). bridetobe pointed me towards Hardwick and based on her website, one of her influences is the 20s. bridetobe is also having hers customized by getting a 3 foot train added on, which was an option offered to me by the sales associate.

Ugg! I have my next appointment with Bridal Couture on Thursday evening. Should be interesting.

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I agree with michele - tell them you won't buy without researching the designer first.

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Thanks guys!!! That is a good idea!!!

My sister was going to sneak a pic of me in the dress when we were there last time. I'm kickin' myself in the arse for telling her 'no!'

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Jenny5150-

You might also want to look in magazine and bring in as many pictures that resemble the dress. When you go to a salon ask to speak with the buyer since she/he will probably have the best chance of figuring out your mystery designer.

I purchased and was very happy with Bridal Reflections. I just asked after she wrote up the order and they were more than happy to divulge the designer. I was just curious who the designer was so I could find a picture of the dress on the web to show everyone. I didn't want to feel bad so I didn't even attempt to find it at a cheaper price somewhere else.

Good luck.

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Jenny,
The reason why I'm trying to find the gown elsewhere is because of Bridal Couture's 'history'. I know they'll tell me who the designer is when I give them their 50% deposit, but I'm hoping I can find the gown elsewhere! (My mom came home from work last night with some more horror stories.)

Believe me...I've looked in dozens of wedding magazines (and online) and nothing looks similar, which is one of the reasons why I fell in the love with the gown. It's definitely not a typical or traditional bridal gown.

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You could place the order then suddenly change your mind. It depends on how badly you want the dress!

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Again, this is insanity. Do not give business to these types of shops. They could be charging you $4K for a knock-off. How do you know?
Tell them that you would never buy a car with all of the labels, stickers, emblems ripped off.
Take your sister back and try the dress on again. In the dressing room ask her to help you take the dress off, or tell the sales lady that you would like a moment alone with your sister to discuss the dress in private. Then she snaps a few photos. Get upclose so you can see the detail.

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michele31/sonicstef -- I did what you suggested at Bridal Couture, and told them I would absolutely not purchase without knowing the designer. They did not care, so I left.

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So sorry to hear that but consider a blessing. If this is how they treat their perspective customers think of how they would treat you once they had your money!!!

I know it must be frustrating.

Im pretty sure that between Bridal Reflections and Kleinfelds - most of Coutures designers are represented. Why don't you schedule appts with those 2 salons and see where that leaves you.

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Do you have a small video camera you could stick in a back pack? that way-there's no flash bulbs going off! That's what I did-although I knew the designer of my dress!
But please do not give Bridal Couture your business!! I had a bad experience there and a close coworker of mine just returned from her honeymoon--she had such a bad experience with them that she's pursuing legal action.

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Hi Everyone! If ANY bridal shop does not give you the info that you want tell them you are going to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the F.T.C. or before you even go shopping for a dress check with the BBB to see if your salon is on their list. I bet they will start caring when they start losing business.

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