Bride's mother left emotionally and physically bruised by too-tight frock successfully sued shop

A mother-of-the-bride has successfully sued a top boutique in Melbourne, Australia, over claims her custom-made dress was too tight to enjoy her daughter’s wedding. Lena Mancino, from Bundoora, launched action against Croce & Colosimo Couture seeking a $3,500 refund, alleging the frock left her physically and emotionally bruised.

While her only daughter Angela’s wedding should have been one of her most treasured memories, Mrs Mancino alleged the body-hugging dress made it an awful experience. Mrs Mancino claimed she could barely sit in the tightly sculpted ensemble and was scared to eat or drink at the reception in case she needed the toilet. Bride Angela said her grandmother, aunt and maid of honour had to help shove her 60-year-old mother into the limousine because her movement was so restricted by the frock’s boning.



“They had to … get her legs in and push her in,” Angela said. The bride, whose $8,000 gown was also by the renowned design house, claimed when her mother expressed concerns to the dressmakers they offered instructions on how to sit. “She wanted something elegant and comfortable. But it was like she was wrapped up like a mummy. She ended up with bruises,” she said.

Designers Mario Croce and Ines Colosimo, say they are at a loss to explain the legal action. Mrs Mancino had signed a document when she had collected her outfit, agreeing she was “completely satisfied” with it, Mr Croce said. He claimed Mrs Mancino hadn’t voiced any complaints during three mock fittings, at the final fitting, or on the day of the wedding when he helped dress the bride. “At the end of the day if she wanted it looser, I would have made it looser. It would have taken me 15 minutes,” Mr Croce added.