St John

Bought a St. John's Leopard Dress at Nordstrom's on 7/31/2023 for a wedding and reception on 9/9/2023. Did not wear the dress until the event. At the church and then reception I started to have pain and itching.

When I got home I took off the dress and I had extensive painful/itchy rashes where the dress was exposed to skin. Arms, upper legs, back and stomach.

I went to Med Express on 9/10/2023 and was diagnosed with an allergic reaction of contact dermatitis. I was prescribed prednisone, triamcinolone acetonide. Told to take Claritan and to get an epinephrine shot if needed.

Per the doctor the dress and/or fabric was probably sprayed with some kind of chemical either during the manufacturing in China or prior to shipping.

I have never had an allergic reaction to clothing. When I went to Nordstrom's to complain they did not take it seriously and of course would not return my purchase price as is their policy with worn designer clothing. I understand. They would not be able to resell that dress, nor should they. But they might at least reached out to St. John's about my experience to alert them of the potential reactions to chemicals used on their products.

I will write St. John's about this experience and maybe (but I doubt it) they will investigate and make sure that a dangerous chemical used on their clothing can cause customers pain, itching and distress.

I am a long time St. John customer, but after my recent experience I will never shop St. John again and I encourage others to do the same. When I bought a dress in July of this year to wear to a September wedding, I asked if the dress might go on sale since I didn’t need it for 2 mos and was told no. A few weeks later, it was reduced by $1,000 and there was no one in a position of authority who would return my phone calls about a price adjustment. If there was even the possibility the price would drop, I would have waited. It is outside their unreasonable 14 day policy, but, under the circumstances, some accommodation should have been made.