Post all "Knock Off Wedding Dress" questions/comments here

[atalanta]

Hi Minx,

 

I'm not sure I have much advice for you. I'm sort of in the same boat. I am going with Milly's Bridal for my wedding gown mostly because of the fabric. I really want a silk wedding dress, and most places do not provide silk. Milly's has 100% silk satin. In fact the Lazaro gown, which is my inspiration, is made of silk/poly/acetate blend at >$3600.

 

I'm a little worried because Milly's doesn't send pictures during the dressmaking process only once the dress is ready to be shipped and they want all money upfront. I ordered fabric swatches to help me to be sure about fabric grade and color.

 

I'm also really worried by comments that suggest a hit or miss experience with Milly, but rather encouraged that Jasmines referred you to Milly's for your dress. Also, I sent Milly's a picture of my reception dress. They told me flat out that they couldn't make the reception gown. I feel a lot better about their ability to do my wedding gown. Maybe you should reconsider them if you do not feel comfortable with Zimo.

 

Do you have a website for Zimo? I'd like to check him out to see if he can make my reception gown. Sorry, I can't answer your question about the polyester satin.

 

Originally Posted by Minx 

Hello lovely ladies,

 

I am getting married next year April and am looking for a dress. I have done some research and reading different reviews so thank you for this thread! I have contacted a few companies for a design of my dress. It is the simple mermaid ruching dress from Pnina Tornai. It has crystals at the sweetheart neckline but I'm not a bling girl especially I'm not too sure how a knock off bling would look =) so I asked for no jewels at the bodice.

 

This is my presales review so far...

 

1. I've contacted Milly's Bridal, Dressilyme, Dousheng and Jasmine's Bridal, Jeff Liu for my dress, oh and one on ebay by the name of Zimo.

 

2. I've heard Milly's is a hit and miss but they were willing to do my dress but I wasn't too sure about them, so with some doubt, I scratched them out of my list.

 

3. I talked to Dousheng, I wanted their top quality which they say is about 500.00 which is probably pricey for a knock-off but a heck of a bargain compared to the original. But, I have been asking them about different materials and fabric they have. I'm just not sure if their 500 top quality is really any different to their other quality? The last question I asked them was if their satin fabric is silk or polyester.  They mentioned that I should keep the swaroski crystals because "clearly the appliques and beadings can hide the hemming-stitch." When I heard that, I responded right away that if they were top quality and can customize any dress, I shouldn't have to expect any type of hemming stitch or they shouldn't have to hide any of it. :-?

 

4. I really wanted dressilyme, but they were not able to do my dress, which I respect their honesty for. =) They cant make the dress because I cannot find the details of the back of the dress anywhere and looks like they dont want to improvise from what they have from the pictures.

 

5. Jeff Liu communicated well but way too eager to want to do my dress without a problem and without asking me about the dress or about the back of the dress or any ideas.

 

6. Jasmines Bridal, now I am quite disappointed with them. I've been contacted them back and forth and everytime they were willing to make me the dress for 300.00 premium quality. My last email I asked them about fabric as I do any company. I told them I am very picky, my dress is simple (I think haha) I'm not asking for sequins, nor beadings or even the complicated organza. I just want the ruching to be tight and to stand out. Then the last email they sent, they wrote that my dress is out of their capabilities and to try milly's or landy. I emailed them back and asked what changed their mind?

 

7. Zimo, I really like, I saw some dresses made by him that seems to be well made. He is asking for 282.00 and I may go with him. He asks questions and emails me back quickly.

 

I do have a question for everyone, the satin fabric, is it polyester satin or acetate satin? Because the acetate satin is very fake and plastic looking. How about polyester satin? Is it soft?

 

Sorry for the long post! =) Hope everyone can help. Thank you! =)

 

 

[Mrs Mel]

I've just been looking at Jamine's facebook page and in the background of this photo, you can see the skirt of a dress that looks remarkably like the on that they told you they couldn't make. See http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=255341977861452&set=a.255341921194791.68096.134074349988216&type=1&theater

Originally Posted by Cazzmatazz 

Hey All -

 

First I want to say this thread has been a godsend for me. To make a long story short, I found the dress I loved, which is a Sophia Tolli (attached), but of course it's out of my budget. Frankly, lots of dresses are because I just can't see spending a grand on something I will wear once. I would much rather put that towards other important things at our wedding. Like booze and food.

 

Based on everyone's experiences, I have emailed gianinar, duosheng, jasmine, shades of pale and kaersan with a photo of the dress.

 

Kaesarn and Jasmine flat out told me they couldn't do the dress. They said it was too complicated and they do not have the proper light black lace. I really appreciated that honesty and professionalism. For that alone, I would recommend them.

Gianinar wasn't specific - just said yes they can do it, and gave me their cheap price of 200. That didn't sit too well with me.

 

Shades of Pale gave me three price points - highest accuracy, high accuracy and good accuracy. Then the price also depends on Chinese Fabrics VS. imported fabrics from Japan and Europe. I asked for the high accuracy, imported fabric quote and am waiting to hear back.

 

Duosheng I've have the most contact with. They acknowledged the issue with the lighter black lace, and she offered several ways to solve it. She said "In fact,we will make this dress for the embroidery is dark and for the darker part will add more beading ,so it will be  darker than other part,so on the dress there will be one lighter and one darker,is that ok?" I am not a dressmaker so honestly I don't know what's best, but I defer to them. They, too, gave me different price points - standard quality and high quality.

 

At this point I'm wrestling between Duosheng and Shades of Pale. My head is swimming with this thread, so forgive me if I don't remember all 400+ posts .

 

Thoughts, anyone?

thanks!

 

[rawalter]

Thanks for posting my pics! It wouldn't let me which was frustrating. The design is allure 8815., the seller is jasmines bridal shop.

[Minx]

I am talking back and forth with Zimo and he said he'll do exactly according to the pictures. He said the material is polyester satin. I went to educate myself with the feel and look of it by going to Jo-Anns Crafts and Fabric . It is quite soft and I like the feel of it. He also sent me a picture of the fabric which I like.

 

I think there were a few ladies from another board who ordered from him. Let me give you the links of his work.

 

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/its-finally-here-my-chinese-replica-dress

 

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/ordered-custom-dress-from-china-038-very-happy-w-result

 

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/ordered-custom-dress-from-china-038-very-happy-w-result/page/2

[lavenderlux]

Hi rawalter,

What grade of fabric did you order from Jasmine's Bridal? On their ad it lists:

-Premium grade for everything ($0 extra cost)

-Premium grade craftmanship + Designer grade materials (+50% price)

-Designer grade craftmanship + Premium grade materials (+50% price + 2 weeks time)

-Designer grade for everything (+100% price)

 

Just wanted to say again how gorgeous your dress is and I've read all 400+ pages and your post's pictures has been the best - clear, full body shot, and the fact you kindly included the style # and the seller. Thanks again for your help if you could share with us what Grade of Service you got. I think I will most likely go with Jasmine!

 

 

 

Originally Posted by rawalter 

Thanks for posting my pics! It wouldn't let me which was frustrating. The design is allure 8815., the seller is jasmines bridal shop.

 

[lavenderlux]

Hi Bride1012,

I love the style of your Pnina dress! Just wondering if you have received it from Jasmine's Bridal yet and what do you think of the dress now that it's in your hands? How was the delivery time too?

 

After seeing your dress I'm leaning more towards Jasmine now!

 

 

Originally Posted by Bride2012 

Ok I am finally at work to post photos!!! Here is my inspiration dress Pnina 4066

 

They sent me these pics BEFORE they added the beading

 

[rawalter]

Hi rawalter, What grade of fabric did you order from Jasmine's Bridal? On their ad it lists: -Premium grade for everything ($0 extra cost) -Premium grade craftmanship + Designer grade materials (+50% price) -Designer grade craftmanship + Premium grade materials (+50% price + 2 weeks time) -Designer grade for everything (+100% price) Just wanted to say again how gorgeous your dress is and I've read all 400+ pages and your post's pictures has been the best - clear, full body shot, and the fact you kindly included the style # and the seller. Thanks again for your help if you could share with us what Grade of Service you got. I think I will most likely go with Jasmine!  

I just went with the premium grade for everything. I am really impressed so far. They only require fifty percent down initially then fifty percent once you are satisfied with the completed dress. They have great communication too. I just paid the remaining balance and they said three days to do a quality inspection then they ship it. I can expect it 5-7 days after that! I can't wait:) I don't know if you seen it but there's a link on their site to Facebook where they show all of the dresses they made

[rawalter]

Hi rawalter, What grade of fabric did you order from Jasmine's Bridal? On their ad it lists: -Premium grade for everything ($0 extra cost) -Premium grade craftmanship + Designer grade materials (+50% price) -Designer grade craftmanship + Premium grade materials (+50% price + 2 weeks time) -Designer grade for everything (+100% price) Just wanted to say again how gorgeous your dress is and I've read all 400+ pages and your post's pictures has been the best - clear, full body shot, and the fact you kindly included the style # and the seller. Thanks again for your help if you could share with us what Grade of Service you got. I think I will most likely go with Jasmine!  

I just went with the premium grade for everything. I am really impressed so far. They only require fifty percent down initially then fifty percent once you are satisfied with the completed dress. They have great communication too. I just paid the remaining balance and they said three days to do a quality inspection then they ship it. I can expect it 5-7 days after that! I can't wait:) I don't know if you seen it but there's a link on their site to Facebook where they show all of the dresses they made

[Bride2012]

i have it in hand and its absolutely gorgeous!!!! it took 5 days to receive it from China to my doorstep. Unfortunately i have to get it altered, i have lost 20+ pounds since i got measured, and even with the corset back its two inchs too large. getting it taken in locally  it fits. i am so pleased with Jasmines and would HIGHLY RECCOMEND!

Originally Posted by lavenderlux 

Hi Bride1012,

I love the style of your Pnina dress! Just wondering if you have received it from Jasmine's Bridal yet and what do you think of the dress now that it's in your hands? How was the delivery time too?

 

After seeing your dress I'm leaning more towards Jasmine now!

 

 

 

 

[2012mrstobe]

I have been corresponding with Amalia from Shades of Pale for the past 5 months. I had initially sent her a mock up of another dress iI wanted and she was very responsive to my million emails, answering them within 24 hours. ( I had pictures of 3 different dresses and I went into.great detail witghtext boxes, arrows, etc. explaining what I wanted).

 

I have since changed my mind and yet again I sent her a completely different mock up (I'm sure this the one!). She asks several questions and she always repeats the information back to me in her correspondence to insure clarity.

 

Here is the dress I will be ordering:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first three pics are of the top of the dress (I will have a hook and eye closure on the neck strap instead of having it hang down my back). The fourth pic is how the bottom of the dress will look. It will start further below my knees (mermaid style) and the pleats will alternate with the same tulle in the bodice and the stretch satin in the top part of the skirt.

 

She told me it would take 6 weeks to make. I would really like to find a short reception dress for them to make also since she told me that there is a discount for ordering 2 dresses.