What do you think of this knock-off?

I will! PM me your cell phone number and I will totally call you if I see it in your size!!!!

 

Do you want the Scarlet too? I think at 80% off it's like $1000 with tax (8.25% here in CA)

 

Too bad we didn't wear the same size/same height - we could have shared!

That's actually what's been running thjrough my mind for days! I need to recruit some friends and buy a whistle...

Seriously - the store opens at 10am - what time should I go? They let in 30 peeps at a time and of course the good stuff (and bigger stuff because it can always be altered DOWN) go first. Like 7am? earlier? later?

Hi Kash - she carries a lot of different maker's dresses so she may already be familiar with it. If not, she has access to additional pictures as she is a reseller.

Here's what I learned relative to keeping the price down when replicating a dress:

a) The fabric you select will affect the price. If you tell Liza a certain price range, she can show you the fabric.

Try on several different dresses with your dressmaker - she is experienced and can see PARTS of the dress vs. the whole dress to know what neckline will work best, etc. and can offer advice on how to keep the cost lower while still working with your body type.

c) There may be a cheaper dress that is close that you can buy and then alter.

d) The less beads/beadwork, the cheaper the dress. Any kind of hand-finishing needed will automatically raise the price. The dress you are looking for is really only as expensive as the lace and the fabric you chose underneath which is great.

I would take both pictures (the real and the knock-off) into Liza and tell her your budget. She'll tell you what you can get within that budget from her and you can take it from there. Once she agrees on a price, whether she makes it from scratch or alters another dress, all fittings, etc. are included so it's really easy to know exactly what you're in for.

I loved my dress - it fit perfectly and we did A TON of modifications to it. Yes, it was $2000, but that's because the dress that we started with was $1700 because of the designer and fabric.

Natasha - your dress looked really gorgeous on you in the pics!

 

I called Liza the other day and she said to stop by anytime before 7pm. So I'm going to see what happens on Thursday (sample sale at ML) and then go see her and see what she thinks. The original is done with french lace and silk underneath... I don't think i need silk as long as it moves the same way and really a cheaper lace is fine as long as it's still pretty!

 

I hope she's familiar with the dress - I love that she can get more pictures of it too since she's a reseller!

 

I'll let you know what happens! And honestly if I can get a dress that is identical to the one I want (whether it says Monique Lhuillier on the label or not) then $2K would be worth it... I;d rather not spend that much since a custom made dress has less resale value but still it's still less than 50% of the original price so there's something to be said for that!

 

Who knows! Maybe I'll go to the store and Thursday and me and Sarah can be matching brides!

The picture of the knock off dress looks beautiful. But I know what u mean, sometimes it looks better in the picture! To be honest, the knockoff seems a little expensive! Check out the website, houseofbrides.com for dresses like Morilee, MonCheri, ForeverYours, Bonny, etc.. They are very affordable and the real deal! They do not charge tax or shipping. I am getting a beautiful Morilee dress for $318.00 that is absoulutely stunning!!! Like my mom says "if u are a beautiful girl u will look great in a potato sack", and from your picture, your beautiful so anything u wear on your day will look stunning on u.
Good luck,

Cabo love,
Rosa

Kash -

I think you ML vibes are paying off...I just got the Knot notice that a boutique by me is having a ML trunk show in 2 weeks. Way earlier than I wanted to start looking for a dress, but it can't hurt.

 

Anyway - this is a sign you will have a great experience at the sale - and if not go for the knockoff. It looks beautiful!

Oh totally - but here's the trick that I learned with Liza - you gotta low ball her. She'll give you the fabric and detailing at the price that you're willing to pay so if you say $2000 that's what she'll come in at.

A better strategy is when she asks how much you can spend, say, "Well, here's these pictures of a similar dress that is x price." Then be silent. Let her talk you up based upon the various fabrics and details but do your best not to committ yourself and let her back in.

Oh - also, Cabo is hot - make sure the underfabric breathes.

kash, i am going to go against the consensus on this one...one of my good friends had a ML dress remade...although the dressmaker did a great job, the bride was really unhappy because the lace wasn't right and it did not hang the same or move the same...just my 2 cents.

 

sorry to be a pooper...

Thank you Rosa - you are so sweet! I hope your mom is right (though I probably won't go the potato sack route)

Good tip! I remember from traveling in India that you always want the vendor to quote you a price first! OK, a good plan - I may need to you to remind me of everything I need to ask her before i go (just like you gave me all those tips and questions from my scout trip!)