White House Black Market Dress

Description of Garment:

 Black Dress w/ White Trimming

Manufacturer: White House/ Black Market

RN#: 117459

Care Label Instructions: " Dry Clean Only"

Problem: When drycleaned in perchloroethylene, the black dyestuffs became fugitive and transferred onto the white trimming causing discolorations that cannot be corrected.

Responsibility: The manufacturer's. This dress proved to be unserviceable when drycleaned in accordance with its care label instructions.

Recommendation: If this garment fails when drycleaned as instructed by the care label, it should be returned to the place of purchase for a refund or exchange.

Drycleaner: Since there may be a potential serviceability issue concerning this dress, we suggest that a signed release of liability be obtained prior to its acceptance for processing. While we have no data as to the serviceability of this dress in alternate solvent types, our analysis department has received other garments manufactured by White House/Black Market that sustained similar damage when drycleaned in hydrocarbon solvent.

The NCA's Garment Analysis Laboratory examines thousands of garments every year for serviceability and FTC care labeling accuracy. The featured garment is a recurring item received for evaluation and, in testing, has failed to meet minimum industry standards. We have included the name or trade name of the fabric, the manufacturer, the RN number, if available, and a brief description of the problem.