The Diane von Furstenberg {DVF} thread!

[JYNYC]

Hi girls, this is my first time posting but I have been following the DVF adventures in this thread for a long time. I made a sad discovery about DVF today. On Sunday, I went to my local Nordstorm Rack in New York City and saw a whole rack of DVF wrap dresses. I was very excited to see the Abigail Ikat Batik dress in my size, as the DVF website ran out of sizes. However, the material wasn't silk - it was 93% viscose and 7% spandex. Upon further inspection, all of the wrap dresses there were viscose and spandex! The crazy part was it had the DVF hologram and the list prices were identical to what a silk wrap should cost. I later emailed Nordstorm to tell them that I thought their dresses were fake.

Today, my friend emailed me to tell me about the DVF Rue La La sale. Again, all of the dresses were viscose and rayon. They had the cork jungle, the leo mini chain pink. I emailed DVF to let them know and they just responded to me with the names of legitimate DVF retailers.

I did some googling and found this about Flash website:
A. The dirty little secret of flash-sale sites is that brands now make cheaper products directly for the sites. You’re not actually getting inventory Saks couldn’t sell, and it’s not 80 percent off. They’re selling items that are cheaply made and cheaply priced, things Saks would never consider carrying. But these sites convince people they’re getting a deal, which attracts customers. So we have a harder time with customer acquisition. It’s harder for people to discover us.

Nordstorm rack is associated with HauteLook, a flash website. It's all making sense and I'm really sad that DVF would cheapen their brand and issue cheaper quality dresses. It's one thing if it was different prints, but these are the exact same prints they issue at cost. It's leaving such a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[AChanelADay]

Hi girls, this is my first time posting but I have been following the DVF adventures in this thread for a long time. I made a sad discovery about DVF today. On Sunday, I went to my local Nordstorm Rack in New York City and saw a whole rack of DVF wrap dresses. I was very excited to see the Abigail Ikat Batik dress in my size, as the DVF website ran out of sizes. However, the material wasn't silk - it was 93% viscose and 7% spandex. Upon further inspection, all of the wrap dresses there were viscose and spandex! The crazy part was it had the DVF hologram and the list prices were identical to what a silk wrap should cost. I later emailed Nordstorm to tell them that I thought their dresses were fake.

Today, my friend emailed me to tell me about the DVF Rue La La sale. Again, all of the dresses were viscose and rayon. They had the cork jungle, the leo mini chain pink. I emailed DVF to let them know and they just responded to me with the names of legitimate DVF retailers.

I did some googling and found this about Flash website:
A. The dirty little secret of flash-sale sites is that brands now make cheaper products directly for the sites. You’re not actually getting inventory Saks couldn’t sell, and it’s not 80 percent off. They’re selling items that are cheaply made and cheaply priced, things Saks would never consider carrying. But these sites convince people they’re getting a deal, which attracts customers. So we have a harder time with customer acquisition. It’s harder for people to discover us.

Nordstorm rack is associated with HauteLook, a flash website. It's all making sense and I'm really sad that DVF would cheapen their brand and issue cheaper quality dresses. It's one thing if it was different prints, but these are the exact same prints they issue at cost. It's leaving such a bad taste in my mouth.

Thanks for the tip. Nordies does this a lot. I have read that many items on sale for their Anniversary Sale are items specifically made for the sale--so often there is no real sale price--that's just the cost of the item.

I always check to see if other retailers are selling the item whenever I buy from Flash websites.

 

[Princess Pink]

Hi girls, this is my first time posting but I have been following the DVF adventures in this thread for a long time. I made a sad discovery about DVF today. On Sunday, I went to my local Nordstorm Rack in New York City and saw a whole rack of DVF wrap dresses. I was very excited to see the Abigail Ikat Batik dress in my size, as the DVF website ran out of sizes. However, the material wasn't silk - it was 93% viscose and 7% spandex. Upon further inspection, all of the wrap dresses there were viscose and spandex! The crazy part was it had the DVF hologram and the list prices were identical to what a silk wrap should cost. I later emailed Nordstorm to tell them that I thought their dresses were fake.

Today, my friend emailed me to tell me about the DVF Rue La La sale. Again, all of the dresses were viscose and rayon. They had the cork jungle, the leo mini chain pink. I emailed DVF to let them know and they just responded to me with the names of legitimate DVF retailers.

I did some googling and found this about Flash website:
A. The dirty little secret of flash-sale sites is that brands now make cheaper products directly for the sites. You’re not actually getting inventory Saks couldn’t sell, and it’s not 80 percent off. They’re selling items that are cheaply made and cheaply priced, things Saks would never consider carrying. But these sites convince people they’re getting a deal, which attracts customers. So we have a harder time with customer acquisition. It’s harder for people to discover us.

Nordstorm rack is associated with HauteLook, a flash website. It's all making sense and I'm really sad that DVF would cheapen their brand and issue cheaper quality dresses. It's one thing if it was different prints, but these are the exact same prints they issue at cost. It's leaving such a bad taste in my mouth.

I didn't know specifically about this so am surprised-but-not-surprised - it seems to be just the same strategy that many brands (e.g. Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach etc) use at Outlet shops to sell 'made for outlet' items - not 'fakes' but then not what the brand would normally sell.

I guess the bigger message is to be aware of ebay sellers selling these items with a clearer description.

 

[BougieBoo]

I didn't know this about DVF. I have gotten dresses from the flash sales before that matched the boutique quality. Something must've changed along the way. But dvf.com has pretty great sales so I guess I'll stick to that. I wanted that Zebra Jeanne but I see that it is not silk!!! Disappointed.

 

[megt10]

I didn't know this about DVF. I have gotten dresses from the flash sales before that matched the boutique quality. Something must've changed along the way. But dvf.com has pretty great sales so I guess I'll stick to that. I wanted that Zebra Jeanne but I see that it is not silk!!! Disappointed.

I didn't know that either. I know in the past I bought from Rue when they had DVF and it was the same quality as from the stores. I am just now rebuying DVF as I sell off my smaller sizes so will be aware of this going forward. I just got the Amelia from BG on sale, that I have been looking at for awhile. I love the print. I ordered both the 6 and the 8 to see which fit better the other will go back.

 

[megt10]

Thanks for the tip. Nordies does this a lot. I have read that many items on sale for their Anniversary Sale are items specifically made for the sale--so often there is no real sale price--that's just the cost of the item.

I always check to see if other retailers are selling the item whenever I buy from Flash websites.

I got both New Jeanne dresses from Nordstrom Anniversary sale. They are the same quality as all of her other dresses. The plum however runs about 1/2 size smaller than the blue/black version. I originally bought both in an 8 (still not sure of my sizing yet) they were too big though the plum would have been ok the blue version was way too big. I just got the size 6 and the blue/blk fits perfectly and the plum is a bit smaller than I like but I still have about 5 lbs to go so I am going to keep it.

 

[Dukeprincess]

Duke are you coming back here? I am back! I really didn't buy much DVF for almost 2 years because of all the health stuff I was going through. Now my size 4 wraps are a bit too small and I am selling all of them and my size 2 sheath dresses. So you know what that means I need to buy some new DVF I got the 2 Jeanne wraps that were on sale for the Nordstrom Anniversary pre-sale. I figured I was an 8, but they were too large. I was able to order a 6 in Snake Plum but the Navy which was more of a royal blue to my eye was sold out. I took the dresses back today and my SA found the Navy last one in the company in a 6 for me. Of the dresses the Snake Plum felt smaller than the Navy. I think maybe because of the extra dye made the dress feel more stiff. Anyway I also recently bought and wore for the first time the Samara Zebra Tattoo skirt. I thought about getting the dress but it is such a heavy skirt that I think it would just be too warm.

I pop in and out, because I am so slammed at my new job, but I haven't bought anything recently except one light sweater from last season. When I wear it, I will post photos!

 

[baysidebeauty]

Hi girls, this is my first time posting but I have been following the DVF adventures in this thread for a long time. I made a sad discovery about DVF today. On Sunday, I went to my local Nordstorm Rack in New York City and saw a whole rack of DVF wrap dresses. I was very excited to see the Abigail Ikat Batik dress in my size, as the DVF website ran out of sizes. However, the material wasn't silk - it was 93% viscose and 7% spandex. Upon further inspection, all of the wrap dresses there were viscose and spandex! The crazy part was it had the DVF hologram and the list prices were identical to what a silk wrap should cost. I later emailed Nordstorm to tell them that I thought their dresses were fake.

Today, my friend emailed me to tell me about the DVF Rue La La sale. Again, all of the dresses were viscose and rayon. They had the cork jungle, the leo mini chain pink. I emailed DVF to let them know and they just responded to me with the names of legitimate DVF retailers.

I did some googling and found this about Flash website:
A. The dirty little secret of flash-sale sites is that brands now make cheaper products directly for the sites. You’re not actually getting inventory Saks couldn’t sell, and it’s not 80 percent off. They’re selling items that are cheaply made and cheaply priced, things Saks would never consider carrying. But these sites convince people they’re getting a deal, which attracts customers. So we have a harder time with customer acquisition. It’s harder for people to discover us.

Nordstorm rack is associated with HauteLook, a flash website. It's all making sense and I'm really sad that DVF would cheapen their brand and issue cheaper quality dresses. It's one thing if it was different prints, but these are the exact same prints they issue at cost. It's leaving such a bad taste in my mouth.

Not all DVF dresses are 100% silk. I looked at the DVF website, and some of the Amelia's are not silk (look under the Fabric tab). I didn't think they were, since I tried one on at Nordstrom, and with the way the skirt flares, I don't think 100% silk could stand up to that, it's too fluid. I know that the Navy and Black Jeanne's are synthetic, and I think the solid Navy and Black Julian's are synthetic too. Not sure about the other solid colors. So just because a DVF dress isn't silk doesn't mean it's a fake. You have to know your prints, colors, and styles in order to make that determination.

You can score deals on first-rate stuff on many sites. It's not going to be current season items, though. If you see current season stuff discounted at Nordie's, Saks, etc it's because it's limited inventory and they want to get rid of it or it's end of season sales.

I'm not a fan of outlet shopping at all. I have no desire whatsoever to sift through racks of leftovers with a slim chance I might score something. I have better things to do with my time. Plus a lot of the stuff is the cheaper-made items at lower prices like posted above. I don't know about the flash sites though, other than I've not yet seen current season DVF on a flash site, but who knows maybe I've missed it, I haven't been doing much shopping lately. Not saying the above isn't true, just that I don't anything about it.

 

[Minda]

Hope someone here can help... If I wear size 6 in New Julian II, should I get the same size in Zoe? Does Zoe fit larger or smaller than the wrap styles?

 

[megt10]

Not all DVF dresses are 100% silk. I looked at the DVF website, and some of the Amelia's are not silk (look under the Fabric tab). I didn't think they were, since I tried one on at Nordstrom, and with the way the skirt flares, I don't think 100% silk could stand up to that, it's too fluid. I know that the Navy and Black Jeanne's are synthetic, and I think the solid Navy and Black Julian's are synthetic too. Not sure about the other solid colors. So just because a DVF dress isn't silk doesn't mean it's a fake. You have to know your prints, colors, and styles in order to make that determination.

You can score deals on first-rate stuff on many sites. It's not going to be current season items, though. If you see current season stuff discounted at Nordie's, Saks, etc it's because it's limited inventory and they want to get rid of it or it's end of season sales.

I'm not a fan of outlet shopping at all. I have no desire whatsoever to sift through racks of leftovers with a slim chance I might score something. I have better things to do with my time. Plus a lot of the stuff is the cheaper-made items at lower prices like posted above. I don't know about the flash sites though, other than I've not yet seen current season DVF on a flash site, but who knows maybe I've missed it, I haven't been doing much shopping lately. Not saying the above isn't true, just that I don't anything about it.

Actually I do think that what she said was true. I bought a couple of dresses from Rue La La that in the stores are 100 silk jersey and the ones I got from Rue were Viscose and silk. They are authentic but not of the same quality that the 100% silk are. I wore one dress and noticed that the seams already were starting to fray. I don't mind Viscose as it is cooler than the 100% silk, but it is something that I will keep in mind in the future. I also saw that NM Last Call was selling the Natalie and it was of Viscose material. I have that dress and mine is 100% silk jersey material purchased from Nordstrom I think. I had a friend who use to work at NM Last Call and she did tell me that they got a lot of stuff that specially made for them that really wasn't coming from NM. She said that the marked it as if it was from the retail store but in fact it had been brought in from other sources.

 

[megt10]

Hope someone here can help... If I wear size 6 in New Julian II, should I get the same size in Zoe? Does Zoe fit larger or smaller than the wrap styles?

I just looked at a review on Shopbop and it said that it runs tts. I guess given the cut of the dress it would depend if you are larger on top. For example, I am broad across the shoulders and back and with a scoop neck dress I would probably size up for comfort.

 

[megt10]

Here is the Faith dress that I got not that long ago. I love the pockets in this one.

 

[baysidebeauty]

Actually I do think that what she said was true. I bought a couple of dresses from Rue La La that in the stores are 100 silk jersey and the ones I got from Rue were Viscose and silk. They are authentic but not of the same quality that the 100% silk are. I wore one dress and noticed that the seams already were starting to fray. I don't mind Viscose as it is cooler than the 100% silk, but it is something that I will keep in mind in the future. I also saw that NM Last Call was selling the Natalie and it was of Viscose material. I have that dress and mine is 100% silk jersey material purchased from Nordstrom I think. I had a friend who use to work at NM Last Call and she did tell me that they got a lot of stuff that specially made for them that really wasn't coming from NM. She said that the marked it as if it was from the retail store but in fact it had been brought in from other sources.

I knew that about the outlets but like I said don't know about the flash sites. All I was trying to say is that just because a DVF isn't 100% silk doesn't mean it's a fake. I do think that the Jeannes that are not 100% silk are much lesser quality in look, fit, and feel, I've posted about that before.

 

[baysidebeauty]

Here is the Faith dress that I got not that long ago. I love the pockets in this one.

I love this on you - such a summery dress, has a nautical feel to it.

 

[megt10]

I knew that about the outlets but like I said don't know about the flash sites. All I was trying to say is that just because a DVF isn't 100% silk doesn't mean it's a fake. I do think that the Jeannes that are not 100% silk are much lesser quality in look, fit, and feel, I've posted about that before.

I remember when you talked about that. That was the reason I never bothered with the all black jeanne. I agree the dresses I got from Rue La La are not fake but they are not the same material that is being used for the same dress that sells at Nordstrom. I almost sent them back but they weren't expensive and they still are cute. One thing I did notice is that some of the major DVF sellers on eBay are selling the version from the outlets and NM LC. Yeah they are NWT and authentic but also a lesser quality material.