I booked and paid for a consultation with Lady Strut Gowns (Shawna Grant) in March for my daughter's prom dress. My daughter originally wanted a
the look could be done or at least closely achieved.
That is what I paid for.
My daughter selected a dress (which was under budget), leaving room for customization. The owner also made it clear that she does not sell the same dress to multiple students, which built additional trust in her process.
From there, everything became inconsistent.
What was said in person did not match what was communicated through text. At one point, I was told via text that achieving the look would require a redesign of the gown and that due to the structure of the dress, it would not look exactly like the reference photo. I understood that. However, in person, I was repeatedly told that the look could be done and that we could get very close to it. At no point during the consultation was it clearly communicated that the dress could not be achieved in a comparable way. That difference in communication is what led me to move forward and continue investing additional money into the process and things she said was needed. After paying invoices for materials and services, no real progress was made on the original design. When I didn't like the appliqués she suggested, I was told to go find my own--which I did and purchased myself. Then after my daughter selected a second look (which she again confirmed she could do), I was sent another invoice and paid again--even though nothing had been completed from the first design.
All of this started in March.
Fast forward to the week of prom.
Sunday, I was told materials were delayed and that she would reach out once everything came in. Monday passed with no communication. I reached out Tuesday and was told, "I thought you were coming up here," even though no time or clear purpose was ever given.
At that point, I asked her to complete the dress and send a picture before finalizing instead of going back and forth.
Late that night, almost 1 AM, she sent a picture of the dress. The dress looked nothing like what was discussed. I addressed it immediately and respectfully. Instead of working toward a solution, she became defensive and told me if I was unsure of her work, I could come pick up the dress and let someone else do it--two days before prom.
I made it clear I was not unsure of her work, but what she sent was not even close to the design we agreed on.
We were then told to come up there. My daughter left work early and still did not get to properly try on the dress. When I saw it in person, it still looked nothing like the reference photos.
She then claimed that I told her I no longer wanted the original look, which is not true. The only adjustment I requested was lowering part of the design to accommodate my daughter's hairstyle.
At that point, she said she could fix it--but would need to be compensated again for her time.
Keep in mind, she had already been paid since March and had not completed the work as agreed.
Another payment was made, and I was told the dress would be ready by 5 PM. Then it became 7 PM. Around 7:30 PM, I received a call saying the material wasn't working and the material she requested now need to be removed to get the look.
At this point, the design looked nothing like what was discussed. It looked rushed and completely off from the vision that was presented and agreed upon. Another major issue throughout this process was the lack of accountability. At one point, I was told that I "picked the tulle," which is not accurate. In our text messages, I was only asked to choose a color that was closest to the dress--not the type of material. There was never a conversation where I selected or approved the actual material needed to achieve the design.
I do not design dresses. I do not sew professionally. That is her field of expertise.
When a client provides inspiration photos and trusts a business owner to execute a look, it is the responsibility of that professional to determine what materials are required--not shift that responsibility onto the client after the fact.
I asked her to remove the material and simply add the appliqués throughout the dress. I also requested a refund for the materials and services that were no longer being used.
That is when the situation became completely unprofessional.
She began yelling on the phone, hung up on me, and sent nasty voice messages stating she did not like how I was barking out orders. She then said she would only partially refund me and that someone else shostating she did not like how I was barking out orders. She then said she would only partially refund me and that someone else should pick up the dress.
When my ddaughter went to pick it up, they were made to wait outside for 15-20 minutes, despite her stating previously that no dress leaves without a fitting. She then came outside recording-with scissors in her hand. read more
