Woman Unable To Remove Stain From Skirt Sues Prada

[icyfroth]

A Melbourne woman has sued fashion label Prada because she was unable to clean champagne stains on a $1660 skirt.

Catherine Whitty had splurged on the luxury Italian-made outfit for her 40th birthday.

But the night soured when a guest spilled a drink on her brand new skirt.

Two days later she took the garment to her drycleaner, who said the stains could not be removed and that any liquid, including rainwater or splashes from washing hands, would damage the delicate silk.

Ms Whitty spent several frustrating months trying to get Prada Australia to respond to her complaints.

Unsatisfied, she launched an action with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The physiotherapist argued that sales staff at Prada's flagship Collins St store should have warned her that such as a skirt was unsuitable for a champagne celebration.

Tribunal member Peter Moloney found in favour of Ms Whitty and ordered Prada Australia to refund her the full $1660.

He said that unless sold with a warning, customers should expect garments to withstand some use and exposure to normal hazards of life such as spills or a rain shower.

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[twinkles**stars]

I saw that the other day. How stupid! Having worked in the rag trade I know from first hand experience that some stains are simply not removable. Silk is something that is so delicate it's not worth wearing unless a scarf?

Daughter says she will take all her clothes back now for refunds lol

[banoras]

Whats the world coming to when someone SPENDS $1660 (apart from Paris Hilton or suchlike)  

on a silk skirt, I don't care if it is Prada,  then gets a refund when a stain won't come out!!  Silk is one of the most difficult fabrics to wear and keep pristine, I agree, but full care should be taken when wearing.

I made myself a pure silk suit last year for D's wedding ( less than $50) fabric greatly reduced at Lincraft, and really only expected one wear, knowing what silk is like!! 

Guests remarked on it (I kept my secret!)

[cherry*135]

I agree with the woman who sued.As did the Tribunal decision.

The skirt should have had warnings on it re water, rain,liquid effect on it so buyer can decide whether to buy it or not.

I had a fairly exoensive dress ruined at the dry cleaners. Parts of it disintegrated. The dry cleaner was going to get the fabric tested to see if itt was suitable for dryckeaning. In the end he just refunded me the full cost of the dress. Took over 3 mths to get that.
I am not sure how much he would have had to pay to get the fabric tested.

[cherry*135]

I have silk shirts that are hand washable now.

[twinkles**stars]

Pure raw silk is very very very expensive and I rarely ever see it these days. The skirt in question didn't look to be raw silk IMO

[**meep**]

I saw Therese Rein discussing this (amongst other things)  on the Mornings show last week.  From what I heard, the complaint was the garment's cleaning instructions were it could be dry cleaned and it fact, it couldn't.

[twinkles**stars]

It's a toss up whether to hand wash or dry clean silk. Personally I would hand wash in cold water but expect some shrinkage.

[icyfroth]

Fancy spending $1660 on a garment you're going to wear at a party where it's almost certain someone's going to spill something somewhere.

Shoul'dve worn an apron lol.

[twinkles**stars]

My new doona ( 100% wool) said dry clean only. So I took it in after the dog walked over it with dirty paws while I was changing the bed linen. It's stained 😞 Maybe I can get a refund lol