We accepted the challenge to reverse the damage that was found on this custom made, beaded lace and silk gown and we are so glad we did.

Our customer came to us distraught with grief upon opening her preservation only to find that the gown was covered with brown spots and caramelization. It had been preserved and sealed for 15 years when she decided to break the seal and take a peak. It was preserved by another cleaner, but carried the lifetime guarantee of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. No one really knows why these things happen, but as a member of the AWGS we provided the service of restoring her gown at no charge.

These were probably invisible stains when the gown was first brought in for cleaning. At Oakwood Cleaners we look at all of the gowns that are brought to us with a black light to help designate areas with invisible stains. Invisible stains are caused by white sugary substances or perspiration that does not show up when they have dried. These are the hardest stains to tackle and if they are not properly addressed they will turn brown or caramelize.

The first step was to determine if the stains would be affected with proper treatment. Our production manager was able to come up with a solution that would dissolve the caramelization. But first…the gown would have to be dis-assembled because the silk under-layer could not take the same treatment as the beaded lace. 

Our seamstress carefully took the pieces apart labeling and photographing as she did so she would know exactly how to re-assemble the gown after the restoration process. Measurements were taken also so she would know that the integrity of the original gown was back.

Once she felt comfortable with the dis-assembly it was time for our production manager to work his magic. Inch by inch he addressed the hardest stains by hand and then soaked each piece until a positive outcome was reached. It was blocked back to the measurements that were taken by our seamstress and then it went back to her to put it back together.

This beautiful custom made gown was back to its original glory. There are still just a couple of areas that had the darkest stains that appear to have a yellow tint. Any more work to those areas would have resulted in irreversible damage to the lace and beads.

As you can see, the gown looks beautiful as do the veils.

After the restoration and re-assembly was finished, our customer came to see it and was thrilled with the outcome. We then finished this project by preserving it in a museum quality, acid free box. We take pride in our preservations as we line the boxes with acid free tissue and an un-bleached muslin blanket. We then fold the gown with acid free tissue into the box and stuff the bodice as if there is a body in it to keep the integrity of the shape of the bodice. The gown is then wrapped with the blanket and a lid is placed on the top. The box is then slid into a muslin sleeve for an extra layer of protection while still allowing the fabric to breath. It is our suggestion that the box be opened every 3 to 5 years to check on the gown. If any discoloration or sugar stains appear we ask our customers to bring the gown to us in the box so we can determine if attention is needed. As a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists we, along with over 500 other member in the US and abroad will honor a lifetime guarantee against discoloration or carmelization spots.

Trang said... 
Oakwood Cleaners did not just clean my wedding gown it went through complete restoration, reconstruction and preservation. A completely positive experience from start to finish! I could not be more pleased with the outcome. Oakwood Cleaners communicated at every step of the process, and the service was exceptional! I echo the other reviewers in highly recommending - thank you for helping me preserve one of my most precious memories!