Aelita P.
Yelp
I really liked the Marchesa gown I got for my wedding, but my experience at designer loft was disappointing, to say the least.
There were a few small issues here and there (communication / scheduling things) but the main problem was that they (apparently) charge a flat rate for all tailoring. I only needed a hem and a bustle, and for that it would be $600. I wanted to look elsewhere but my dress took longer to arrive than they said it would, so by then I was worried about timing and also in the busiest part of planning, so I just didn't have the mental energy by that point to look elsewhere.
I wanted to ask if they would reduce the cost given how little I needed. Designer loft basically works with two tailors who work out of their space but who are not employees (I believe) and because my tailor wasn't present they said they would ask. They did not.
I figured that at least the service would be good / they'd do a great job, given pricing, but that didn't prove true. When I came in a week before my wedding to try on my dress for the second time with the tailor (by this time the tailoring was meant to be done) it was so long that I was stepping on it as I moved. The tailor kept saying 'oh it's perfect. It's beautiful,' even as I was stepping on it. I asked her to shorten it, and she said they could, and then she lifted the skirt up a bit and I saw that there were still pins all around the ends. She hadn't hemmed it at all. So I'm not sure what she'd been doing in the two weeks between my fittings.
During this fitting, I was also frustrated because the tailor smelled strongly of cigarettes, as did her fingers, and she was touching all parts of the dress. The smell of cigarettes makes me really nauseous so this was especially upsetting.
All of this happened quite quickly (appointments were less than 10 minutes) so I didn't have much time to process everything, but as soon as I got home I sent a long email
To designer loft (after not reaching anyone by phone) laying out everything that had happened, as above, and asking for help figuring out a solution. Their only response was to see if the dress could be readied by Monday (tailor told me Tuesday, and I was to leave on Wednesday for my wedding). After that email, and my response for them to let me know, I received no further word.
So then on Tuesday, an incredibly hectic day because it was the week of my wedding and also the day before I was leaving for the city where my wedding took place, I had to come again to get the dress. The hemming was not great. It was sloppy and uneven. The bustle was just one button, which meant by the end of the night the dress was dragging on the floor.
I was offered no recompense for the shoddy work, the time / energy I wasted, or the preposterous amount they charged for such small tasks (a bad hem job and one button sewn into the dress). It was a stressful time so I didn't want to make too much of a fuss before, especially because I felt in a way as though my dress was being held hostage, but I really feel they take advantage of women during a hectic and stressful time, which is unfortunate and shameful.
I would not recommend getting your dress here or using their tailoring services. There are other shops in the city where they'll care more for you.