MAKATI DESIGNER SCAM: Designer Offered 2 Gives to Fashion Scam Victims

Naging laman ng ilang online websites, blogs, and networking sites ang tinaguriang "fashion scam."

Nagsimulang kumalat ang mga larawan kaugnay sa sinasabing isyu nang i-post ng TV celebrity na si Kat de Castro ang isa sa mga ito sa kanyang Twitter noong Martes, Pebrero 15. Sa caption, ito ang mababasa: "The designer asked 30k for this suit. Pero bakit may Dansen tag? Sa SM ito di ba? Napeke kaya yung friend ko?"

Base sa artikulong inilabas ng fashion website na Stylebible.ph ngayong araw, Pebrero 17 nag-order raw ng custom-made suit si Jhon Maala para sa kanyang kasal. Ilang beses daw sinubukan ng groom na makipagkita kay Puey para sa fitting pero madalas hindi ito nangyari. Hanggang isang araw ay naipadala na ang suit na nagkakahalagang P30,000.

Subalit napansin ng groom na dalawa ang label ng suit na kanyang natanggap: isang "Bobon" by Puey Quiñones na nakatahi sa mismong suit at "Dansen" naman sa loob ng inner pocket nito.

Ang Dansen ay isang brand na hawak ng SM Department Store. At sa isang litrato na na-post ni Michael Lim sa Facebook, makikita rito ang unaltered Dansen suit, na nagkakahalaga umano ng P3,300.

Si Puey Quiñones ay kilala bilang isang bridal designer sa fashion industry. Isa sa kanyang mga naging kliyente ang TV personality na si Cheska Garcia.

BOBON REACTS. Unang nang naglabas ng statement sa Facebook ang may-ari ng Bobon. Nakasaad dito na, "BOBON is not in any way involved in the design, production or sale of the suit in the photo, or the affixing of the 'BOBON by Puey Quinones' label to the suit."

Nilinaw din sa note na, "BOBON is not affiliated with any one designer. Although the label "Bobon by Puey Quinones" was initially used in 2008, this label was discontinued more than a year ago. Since 2010, all BOBON pieces simply bear the label 'BOBON.'

"We have no knowledge of how the label 'Bobon by Puey Quinones' ended up in the suit in the Facebook post as we have used every effort to reclaim and destroy these old labels. We are certain that this suit was not purchased by the owner from or through BOBON."

Sa kabilang banda, nilinaw naman ng bride na si Shea Gamboa na walang kinalaman ang may-ari ng Bobon sa naging problema nila kay Puey. Sabi pa niya sa isang comment sa Facebook thread, "The transaction was between the couple and the designer. So don't worry. You're [owner of Bobon] out of this."

"I REGRET THAT ALL THIS HAPPENED." Samantala, sa artikulo pa rin ng Stylebible.ph, nailathala ang opisyal na statement naman ng fashion designer.

Ito ang kabuuang pahayag ni Puey: "Regarding the recent "fashion scam", I regret that all this happened. First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the couple for all the trouble that it has caused them.

"I was simply pressured to create a suit and found a perfect blank canvas to develop. I know the entire situation could have been handled better but now it has just been blown out of proportion and affected so many others.

"I assure all concerned that I am doing the best that I can to fix this situation. I have been in contact with the party involved and intend to settle this peacefully.

"To the couple who brought attention to this matter and to everyone else that have raised concerns over the quality of my service as a designer... I am sorry.

"I am doing all that I can to make sure that this does not happen again.

"Thank you for your understanding and for your concern."

NO TO NEW SUIT. 

Sa Twitter post ni Kat (de Castro) noong Pebrero 15, sinabi nito na hiniling ni Puey na ibalik na lamang ang Dansen suit at gagawa na lamang siya ng bagong suit. Ngunit ang kasalan ay mangyayari umano in less than two weeks.

At kaninang umaga, nag-tweet muli ang Trip na Trip host. Sinabi niya na nangako si Puey ng refund, "Pero 2 gives. Needless to say, my friend went to another designer for help."

Sinabi rin niya, "I never thought many people would react to it. All I wanted was to help a friend out. Sana hindina mangyari ulit." (SOURCE: http://www.fashionpulis.com )