I thought I should post my experiences here because I am indebted to the posters on this site for helping me through quite a gruelling period.
I commenced this journey in August 2010 when I first decided I needed something classically Pakistani for my wedding not in Pakistan. And unfortunately now the last of my family in Pakistan had passed away so I had no hope of assistance in acquiring a bridal outfit through local contacts.
I started out searching the internet and of course my first Google came up with Ustav, bharatplaza, cbazaar and its ilk.
Hmm Lehenga or a sari. A bit awkward for me as I’ve never worn a sari and secondly I did not think the stomach in all its glory would look the most flattering in the lehenga look. Fortunately as it turns out, all my product questions were not answered adequately, or products were not in stock or blah blah blah a lack of customer focus in trying to order. Well, I thought if that’s the case now, imagine what it would be like once the vendor had my $$$s in their hot little hands. (and don’t ask what it was like to get 3 outfits done for my 3 young nieces… made to measure impossible!!)
then I came across Bargello but was blown away by the prices. And then… I thought I struck paydirt.
This same outfit http://www.paklinks.com/gsmedia/files/97354/2057-l.jpg at a fraction of the price through some Indian company. (at this stage I had no idea that copyright is nonexistent and that this same vendor was replicating the outfit) SO I blithely believed it was his design and he was the supplier to Bargello. Hmmm clever me (not) ordered the outfit. 3 months later and only after enormous harassment did he actually forward me something. BRUTAL!! Myself, my groom and half the wedding party could have climbed into the outfit and enjoyed a lovely dinner without being pushed for space.
So the panic meant a cab to the best seamstress in this town and she very kindly asked me how I was not quite hysterical if I was supposed to be wearing this to the upcoming nuptials. Anyway, she said she would make something of it but it would cost big $$$ because of the hours involved in redoing everything. She has kept her word! So what I paid for the Anarkali I have paid twice more to have it redesigned. She has though done an amazing job and I do think that it is better than the original!
That same day I received the outfit I found this website and after a bit of skulking around I joined. And I read, and read and read and learnt so much from all of you. Hence my name, seraneedshelp
So for that I thank all of you
Re: The very Good and the Very Bad. One bride-to-be’s online experiences
Some pictures of outfit #1. Not before, just after…
Not quite complete
the whole of the bodice has been redone, parts of the bottom border has been used to place on the bodice, the size has been taken in and the front and back neckline cut off and redone.
I hope to have the final deal next week and i might take a picture and post it here if you like
Re: The very Good and the Very Bad. One bride-to-be’s online experiences
Part 2 - The Good
I decided that despite the extreme make-over my poor outfit was undergoing I needed to have a back-up just in case it looked i was wearing rags to my wedding. But no room for errors this time round… not much time left to the big day.
well through your wonderful help I learned a bit about an enormous subject and contacted this company.
I also found it here http://www.deemasfashion.com.au/late…ar/red-golden/ ( hmmm interesting. The price back in october was $60 less for deemas, now its gone higher. Actually if you paid in GBP pounds it was $60 lower. There’s some arbitrage there on exchange rates! Choose your currencies wisely girls)
Anyway the first site told me that there is a big difference between a scoop neckline and a th V embroidered neckline. In essence the 2nd one was to be a poorer reproduction. (and why is it impossible to find the originals? poor designers!) Anyway I did not argue. Not this time, no false economies please. I couldnt go through this again.
Anyway a little over the prescribed time I received a BEAUTY.
Minor alterations required for the armholes (my fault i think, i did not measure the armholes ) My lovely seamstress says its absolutely stunning and the tailoring amazing. She cannot belive that it was an online order and that the outfit was based on a spreadsheet of measurements rather than being fitted on me personally.
So kudos please for a brilliant job.
this is what I can show you so far… PS- i asked for the colour to be changed from pink to dark red… its a lovely shade of red.
Re: The very Good and the Very Bad. One bride-to-be's online experiences
I cannot but highly recommend the firm that made #2.
And I thank all of you for every bit of information you placed on these threads so that i could source your expertise and avoid the pitfalls of online disasters.
And 1 more thing... I'm still using your ideas to build upon the whole look. Jewelry come next!!
Re: The very Good and the Very Bad. One bride-to-be's online experiences
everything you posted is very helpful!!!! And unfortunately I have had the same bad luck as you that you had with outfit number one. But in my case it was an expensive formal i had ordered for someone else's shaadi... not my own.
this site is an amazing tool and i can not believe how helpful everyone on here is. I have gotten tons of help with so much stuff already.
And yes - coming to this site made me realize to STAY AWAY from bargello.com ..... and also certain designers such as Rouge by Memoona Manan
Re: The very Good and the Very Bad. One bride-to-be's online experiences
Its sad to hear all this, I dont understand why vendors and designers cant take things seriously! At time they are extremely professionals and at time they dont really care!
aaaah "hugs" !! Dont worry you will rock the dress. and Seriously GS has been like a mother haha with tons and tons of advices for all of us. And you all have been a part of it. So thanks to everyone for this. :)
