the majority of design piracy occurs in China

　　A model walks the runway during the Vera Wang 2013 Bridal Collection show on October 12, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Getty

　　That’s what uber wedding dress designer Vera Wang is asking of her Chinese clients anyway. According to China-based newspaper the Global Times, potential customers in her Shanghai bridal boutique are being asked to fork out 3,000 yuan ($AU 462) for 90 minutes in the dressing room. If they bought a dress, the fee would be deducted from the purchase price. If they didn’t, well, they lost the money.

　　Charging customers for try-ons isn’t unheard of. A number of bridal gown purveyors in Australia do it to deter single women and time-wasters from trying on their wares, while maintaining that air of exclusivity. We’ve heard of paying exorbitant fees for anything wedding-related, but this really takes it to a whole new level.

　　As it stands, the Shanghai flagship is the only Vera Wang store implementing the policy, attracting criticism that the brand is discriminating against its Chinese customers. The blog Shanghaiist wrote, “While brides are bribed with wine and flattery in her other flagships around the world, she's expecting the brides to bribe her in China.”

　　According to a Vera Wang press release, the policy has been put in place to “protect the copyright of the designer” – that is, to stop faux brides-to-be taking the gowns into the dressing room and photographing them for counterfeiting purposes.

　　Sure, the majority of design piracy occurs in China, but is $462 really enough to deter a counterfeiting ring? And if it isn’t, then what is the point of imposing such a policy? Whatever the reason, it hasn’t deterred customers. Amidst the controversy, the waiting list for fittings continues to grow.

See also:http://www.anasdress.com/short-evening-dresses.html