Consumer Alert Archives
Unfortunately, due to poor manufacturing of some garmets, they do not withstand the dry cleaning process well. It is crucial for the consumer to be aware of these problem pieces and if possible, refrain from purchasing them or hand wash them. Be advised that these items will say "dry clean only" on their tags, but they have been idenified as problematic due to a manufacturers defect.
This area will be regularily updated, so please check back frequently to see the latest issues to be aware of.
March 16, 2012
The Garment: A ladies dress with a pink silk bodice and multi-colored silk/polyester & Lurex chenille yarn skirt. The care label states: "dry clean only" with no International code symbols.
The Problem:During normal professional drycleaning many of the "chenille" loops in the skirt came loose and are now dangling. The entire skirt section of the dress is snagged and distorted.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the chenille yarns are not well anchored or secured and can come loose from just normal rubbing during wear which is aggravated by the gentle agitation of any professional care process.
Rebecca Taylor
RN#: 96705
Meow Inc. for Rebecca Taylor
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
265 W. 37th St. #305
New York, NY 10018
Ph. (212) 302-6485
1-888-485-6738
www.rebeccataylor.com
What To Do: This dress should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
January 12, 2012
The Garment: A black and white, striped dress made of 100% polyester. The care label states: professionally dry clean only with corresponding International Code Symbols. The symbols also indicate, do not wash.
The Problem:During proper professional drycleaning of this dress the black dyed fabric sections bleed, resulting in transfer of black color onto the white stripe areas.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the black stripe dye was not able to withstand professional drycleaning without adverse dye disturbance.
Cartise
RN#: None
CA#: 10183
Cartise Sport Inc.
Manufacturing, Wholesaler, Retailer
6161 Rue Cypihot
St-Laurent, QC Canada H4S 1R3
Ph. 1-888-383-1984
Fax. 514-383-5405
www.cartise.ca
What To Do: This dress should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
December 8, 2011
The Garment: A man's tan silk & wool blend suit jacket. The care label reads, "Dryclean Only." There are no other care warnings and the International Cleanability Care Symbols correspond to the written words.
The Problem: After proper professional drycleaning, as labeled, the bonding agent used to adhere the facings in local areas to the base fabric, such as at the lapel, cuffs, pocket flaps, etc., partially dissolved leached to the surface resulting in dark spots and thus objectionable appearance.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since a garment labeled as drycleanable must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process.
Vittello international
Importer, Wholesaler
12023 Vose Street
North Hollywood, CA 91605
Ph. (818) 765-0030
What To Do: This jacket should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
August 11, 2011
The Garment: A salt 'n pepper mix color skirt made of wool, nylon, polyester, silk with 2% "other." There is a synthetic leather (polyurethane) black ribbon trim at the waistband. The care label simply reads, "Dry Clean." There are no international cleanability care symbols.
The Problem: After drycleaning in perchlorethylene solvent the bonding agent used to adhere the urethane film to the base fabric partially dissolved resulting in most of the trim peeling away.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since the skirt is labeled as drycleanable and thus must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process.
Ann Taylor Loft
Corssland Associate Inc. (for Ann Taylor Loft)
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing, Distributor
1410 Broadway 27TH Floor
New York, NY 10018
Ph. 212-730-5157 or 1-800-342-5266
Fax 212-730-5159 or 1-866-232-9266
www.anntaylor.com
What To Do: This skirt should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
July 14, 2011
The Garment: A tan and white dress with black trim made of cotton, polyester and spandex. The care label states: "dry clean only".
The Problem: During drycleaning of this particular dress in GreenEarth� solvent, the black trim dye bleeds out a rust color component, resulting in transfer of color onto the tan and white fabric panels in various areas.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the black trim was not able to withstand professional drycleaning without adverse dye disturbance.
TahariLevine LLC
Importer
501 Broad Ave.
Ridgefield, NJ 07657
Ph. (201) 943-5000, Ext. 2208
Fax. (201) 943-3744
What To Do: This dress should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
April 21, 2011
The Garment: Ladies black & white polyester, cotton & spandex blend coat. The care label simply reads, "Dry Clean". There are no international cleanability care symbols.
The Problem: After drycleaning in perchlorethylene solvent the black pigment color dissolved resulting in objectionable fading.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since the coat is labeled as drycleanable and thus must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process.
I.N.C.
International Concepts
RN# 92690
A.R.B. Incorporated
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
270 West 38th St.
New York, NY 10018
Ph. 212-494-3000
www.macys.com
What To Do: This coat should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
March 31, 2011
The Garment: A long grey polyester/spandex gown with bead trim at the bodice and shoulder straps. The care label reads, "Dry Clean Only". There are no international cleanability symbols.
The Problem: After drycleaning in perchlorethylene solvent some of the plastic trim partially dissolved resulting in an objectionable appearance to the trim, sticking together, as well as self-staining of the nearby dress fabric. The plastic used to make some of the trim on this dress dissolves during drycleaning. The heat of drying or pressing is not a factor in the damage.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since all components on a garment must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process, as labeled.
Cache
RN# 74578
Cache, Inc.
Importer, Wholesaler
1469 Broadway
16th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Ph. 800-788-2224
www.cache.com
What To Do:This evening dress should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
March 3, 2011
The Garment: Long blue polyester satin prom dress with beads, sequins and rhinestone trim. The care label says, "Dry Clean Only-Don't Iron Directly on Beads or Sequins". There are no International cleanability care symbols.
The Problem: After drycleaning the gown some of the cylinder beads came loose and the satin fabric is "marked" and snagged. All damage is purely physical from the normal agitation of professional cleaning, as labeled. Ironing is not a factor. During machine tumbling in drycleaning fluid, the thin bead threads were cut by the sharp edges of the cylinder beads and thus some beads were loosened and/or lost. Also, the sharp edges of the rhinestone trim and their metal settings rubbed up against areas of fabric during the tumbling of cleaning, causing snags.
A close up view of the gown reveals the severe fabric snags due to abrasion from the attached trim during the normal mechanical action of professional cleaning, as labeled.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since there is no practical method of preventing this type of damage from the attached trim during the suggested cleaning method on the care label. This gown must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process without damage.
Jovani
RN# 81120
Jovani Fashions, Ltd.
Importer, Wholesaler
525 Seventh Ave.
14th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Ph. 212-279-0216
800-656-8264
www.jovani.com
What To Do:This prom dress should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
Featuring a garment does not imply that a manufacturer is knowingly or continually producing defective goods. While this particular item was deemed unable to withstand the recommended care process, other comparable garments may or may not hold up to the care instructions
February 3, 2011
The Garment: Ladies cream with gold floral print design suit. The fabric is a polyester & rayon blend. The care label simply reads, "Dry Clean". There are no International cleanability care symbols.
The Problem: After only drycleaning the jacket in perchlorethylene solvent the gold pigment design dissolved resulting in objectionable fading. In this case, further testing on the uncleaned sample skirt reveals that the design will soften and fade in any drycleaning solvent. Also, this suit contains components that are not completely safe to wet clean. Therefore, there is no safe method of care.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since this suit is labeled as drycleanable and thus must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process.
John Meyer
RN# 88644
Judys Group Inc.
Importer, Wholesaler
1400 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
Ph. 212-921-0515
Fax. 212-575-1018
www.judysgroup.com
What To Do:This suit should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
December 2, 2010
The Garment: A ladies synthetic leather jacket made out of polyurethane and trimmed in synthetic fur made out of acrylic pile. The care label simply reads, "Dry Clean Only". There are no international cleanability care symbols.
The Problem: After drycleaning in perchlorethylene solvent the bonding agent used to adhere the urethane film to the base fabric partially dissolved resulting in splotchy peeling and objectionable appearance.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since a garment labeled as drycleanable must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process.
Blanc Noir
RN#: 88493
Blanc Noir International
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
372 Bel Marin Keys Blvd,
Suite C-2
Novato, CA 94949
What To Do:This coat should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
October 28, 2010
The Garment: A long purple silk gown with bead trim at the neck. The care label reads, "Dry Clean Only-Do Not Iron Directly on Beads or Sequins." There are no international cleanability symbols.
The Problem: After drycleaning in perchlorethylene solvent the black plastic trim partially dissolved resulting in an objectionable appearance to the trim, sticking together, as well as self-staining of the nearby dress fabric. The plastic used to make some of the trim on this dress dissolves during drycleaning. The heat of drying or pressing is not a factor in the damage.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since all components on a garment must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process, as labeled.
Jovani
RN#: 81120
Jovani Fashions,Ltd.
Importer, Wholesaler,
525 7th Ave. 14th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Ph. (404) 577-2959
Fax: (404) 577-2989
www.jovani.com
What To Do:This gown should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
September 30, 2010
The Garment: A ladies long black cotton coat with a tan lining fused to the shell to give the coat body and style. The care label states: "dry clean only" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During a short drycleaning in perc the two fused fabrics came apart at random areas, creating puckering and blisters. The coat now appears uneven and wavy.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the fusible adhesive and the methods used to bond the two different fabrics together were not durable to acceptable professional drycleaning.
Larry Levine
RN#: 38843
S. Rothchild & Co.
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
2701 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19132
Ph. (212) 354-8550
www.larrylevine.net
What To Do:This coat should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
August 19, 2010
The Garment: A ladies long tunic-style red rayon chenille sweater with white designs. The care label states: "dry clean only" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During a short drycleaning in hydrocarbon solvent, many of the "chenille" loops came loose, pulled out and are now dangling free of the loose knit construction. The entire sweater now appears snagged and distorted.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the chenille yarns are not well anchored or secured and can come loose from just normal rubbing during wear and is aggravated by the gentle agitation of any professional care process.
Talbot's
CA#: 23147
Talbot's (Canada) Corporation
Retailer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
7941 Jane Street, #3A
Concord, Ontario, Canada
Ph. (905) 660-0500
800-825-2687
www.talbots.com
What To Do:This sweater should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
July 15, 2010
The Garment: A pink/green/multi-color floral design silk dress with plastic bead trim around the neck area. The care label reads, "Dry Clean". The corresponding International Cleanability Symbol indicates normal drycleaning in any solvent.
The Problem: After drycleaning in perchlorethylene solvent the plastic trim on the neck trim ribbon partially dissolved resulting in an objectionable appearance to the trim, as well as self-staining of the nearby dress fabric. The plastic used to make this decorative design dissolves during drycleaning.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since all components on a garment must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process, as labeled.
Lilly Pulitzer
RN#: 88189
Sugartown Worldwide, Inc.
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
1094 Old Cassatt Road
Berwyn, PA 19312
Ph. 888-725-4559
www.lillypulitzer.com
What To Do:This dress should be returned to the place of purchase or manufacturer.
May 27, 2010
The Garment: A ladies black polyester jacket with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) inner film coating. The care label states: "dry clean only" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the PVC softening agent dissolved and the coat lost its softness. The jacket now appears stiff, puckered and crinkly.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the coat was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without severe texture change.
Anne Klein
CA#: 19371
Jones Apparel Group (U.S. Corporate)
Importer, Wholesaler, Retailer
1411 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
Ph. (212) 642-3860
Fax: (514) 849-6011
www.anneklein.com or
www.jonesapparel.com
What To Do:This jacket should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
April 8, 2010
The Garment: A ladies beige polyester coat with modacrylic pile liner. The care label states: "dry clean only" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the binder holding the pile to the shell fabric softened allowing these components to come apart. The knit backing of the pile shrunk and the entire coat now appears puckered.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the attached pile liner was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without separation and shrinkage.
Jones New York
RN#: 15101
Amerex Group LLC
Importer
512 7th Avenue, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Ph. (212) 609-3000
888-255-7992
Fax: (212) 575-5399
www.jny.com
What To Do:This coat should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
February 18, 2010
The Garment: A pair of men's all cotton denim black jean pants. The care label states: "dry clean" with the appropriate International code symbol circle with a "P" inside.
The Problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the black dye bleeds, resulting in uneven fading of color to a more bluish hue with streaks.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the black dye in the fabric was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without severe color change.
Sean John
RN#: 108086
Christian Casey LLC for Sean John Company
34-09 Queens Blvd.
Long Island City, NY 11101
Ph. (718) 482-0700
Fax: 866-547-5322
www.seanjohn.com
What To Do:This pair of jeans should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
December 3, 2009
The Garment: A blue cotton pinpoint oxford man's dress shirt. The care label states: "machine wash warm-no chlorine bleach-tumble dry low & remove promptly-press damp with steam iron or professionally launder" with corresponding International code symbols clearly displayed. The symbols also indicate that the shirt can be drycleaned.
The Problem: During laundering the front placket interfacing on the buttonhole side, as well as the cuff interfacings separate from the shell fabric and shrink. This creates adverse distortion of the cotton shell fabric. Unfortunately, when this occurs to the front placket the buttons and buttonholes no longer line up properly, so this becomes the major issue. The pressing process is not a factor.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since the shirt is clearly labeled that it can be professionally laundered. There should be no shrinkage or any damage to any component of the shirt.
Lands' End
RN#: 62830
Lands' End
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
8420 West Bryn Marr
Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60631
Ph. (800) 963-4816
Fax: (800) 332-0103
www.landsend.com
What To Do:This shirt should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
November 19, 2009
The Garment: A yellow silk dress with a black pleated sash around the waist. The care label states: "dry clean-do not iron directly on beads or sequins" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the black trim dye bleeds, resulting in transfer of color onto the yellow dress fabric in various areas. The pressing process is not a factor.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the black trim was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without dye disturbance.
JOVANI
RN#: 81120
Jovani Fashions, Ltd.
Importer, Wholesaler
525 7th Ave. 14th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Ph. (404) 577-2959
(404) 577-2989
www.jovani.com
What To Do:This dress should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
November 5, 2009
The Garment: A ladies black cotton, polyester & spandex all-weather coat. The care label states: "dry clean" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the black dye bleeds, resulting in uneven fading of color.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the black dye in the fabric was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without severe color change.
Talbots
CA#: 23147
Talbots (Canada) Corporation
Importer, Wholesaling, Manufacturing
7941 Jane St. #3A
Concord, Ontario, Canada
Ph. (905) 660-0500
1-800-825-2687
www.talbots.com
What To Do:This coat should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
September 24, 2009
The Garment: A black & white polyester and spandex party dress. The care label states: "professionally dry clean only in any common organic solvent-short cycle-remove promptly-cool iron" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During drycleaning in hydrocarbon solvent (considered organic), the black fabric dye bleeds, resulting in uneven transfer of black color onto the white top section.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the black fabric was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without severe dye disturbance.
Jessice McClintock
RN#: 49422
Jessica-Gunne Sax, Ltd.
Importer, Wholesaling, Manufacturing
274 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Ph. 800-711-8718
www.jessicamcclintock.com
What To Do: This dress should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
September 9, 2009
The Garment: A red silk shirt with ivory vertical stripes down the front. The care label states: "hand wash cold-do not bleach-tumble dry low-warm iron or best results dryclean" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During hand washing, even in cold water as labeled, the red fabric dye bleeds, resulting in transfer of color onto the lighter design stripes.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the red fabric was not able to withstand all the recommended care instructions without risk of severe dye disturbance.
Vintage Silk
RN#: 95743
Silk Icon Apparel, Inc.
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
38 Ledge Crest Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Ph. 222-279-3838
What To Do: This shirt should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
August 27, 2009
The Garment: An olive green all-weather coat made of 70% cotton and 30% polyurethane. The care label states: "soft dry clean only-iron low" with no International code symbols. The term "soft" cannot be identified as a drycleaning term and has no meaning in terms of professional care.
The Problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the polyurethane coating is chemically disturbed causing the component materials to separate, blister and stick together. The coat looks shrunk and puckered after drycleaning.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the coat was not able to withstand accepted professional drycleaning without severe change of appearance.
Carol Cohen by Sanyo
RN#: 72527
Sanyo Sewing America, Inc.
Importer, Wholesaling, Manufacturing
6 Corporate Drive
Oneonta, NY 13820
Ph. 1-800-997-2696 or (607) 432-8043
www.sanyofashionhouse.com
What To Do: This coat should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
August 13, 2009
The Garment: A black & white dress with polyester and spandex black woven skirt and polyester, nylon and spandex white knit bodice. The care label states: "dry clean" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the black fabric dye bleeds, resulting in uneven transfer of black color onto the white top section.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the black fabric was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without severe dye disturbance.
Adrianna Papell
RN#: 59782
Adrianna Papell, LLC
Importer
498 Seventh Ave.
New York, NY 10018
Ph. 212-695-5244, Ext. 305
Fax: 973-589-2537
www.adriannapapell.com
What To Do: This dress should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
July 23, 2009
The Garment: A green rayon dress with a black and grey print design and black plastic stones at the neckline. The care label reads, "Dry Clean Only," but contains no other instructions for any modification to the drycleaning process. Also, there are no international cleanability symbols.
The Problem: After drycleaning in perchlorethylene solvent some of the black plastic stones partially dissolved. The stones now have an objectionable appearance and there is staining on the nearby fabric from the dissolved stones. The plastic used to make this particular decorative trim dissolves readily during drycleaning.
This multi-design dress had some plastic trim that dissolved during the recommended dry cleaning procedures.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer, since all components on a garment must be able to withstand the recommended professional cleaning process, as labeled, but this trim failed in drycleaning, as labeled.
FASHION SPY
RN#: 76500
Poppy Neon Ltd.
Importer, Wholesaler, Manufacturing
1411 Broadway 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10018
Ph. 201-735-0079
Fax. 201-758-1411
www.fashionspy.com
What To Do: This dress should be returned to the place of purchase.
The Garment: A rayon/spandex yellow and black print dress with black leather braided ribbon trim around the midsection. The care label states: "dry clean only" with no International code symbols.
The Problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the black leather trim dye bleeds, resulting in transfer of color onto the dress fabric in various areas.
After drycleaning, the leather trim dye transfer is readily seen in this close up view.
Who's Responsible? The manufacturer since the black leather trim was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without dye disturbance.
SKY
RN#: 89375
Sky Luxury Corp.
Wholesaler
3010 Worthen Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Ph. 323-667-057
www.sky-clothing.com
What To Do: This dress should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.
* Featuring a garment does not imply that a manufacturer is knowingly or continually producing defective goods. While this particular item was deemed unable to withstand the recommended care process, other comparable garments may or may not hold up to the care instructions.
