A bride-to-be who tried to buy a ‘made to measure’ suit for her wedding was stunned after being told the service was only open to men in a top clothes shop.
Maeve Wright - who is due to marry her partner Sara in January - attended the suit fitting appointment in Magee’s in Dublin's Arnotts but had to leave the famous department store disappointed.
The 53-year-old from Rathfarnham rang into the fashion outlet before going to her appointment to clarify that she was hoping to buy a tailor-made suit for her wedding, and was assured that she would be looked after at her fitting.
However, after arriving in the store with a small wedding entourage in tow, she was told by a salesman that the outlet operates a made to measure service for men only.
“I was shocked and disappointed,” Wright told the Irish Mirror that. “I just wanted to get a suit for my wedding which was made to fit me. The idea wasn’t even entertained.”
“My friend Deirdre could see that I was close to tears and so she led me out of the shop and around the corner by the hand”.
Maeve got fitted for a custom suit at Louis Copeland’s on Capel Street instead and described the service as one of the best she has experienced in her life.
Speaking on Liveline today she said, “As a gay woman, I am out and proud, I was proud walking in..that day and the wind was knocked out of my sails,”
Rosy Temple, CEO of Magee Clothing, who issued a full and frank apology to Maeve over what she described as a misunderstanding told Liveline that the company will be offering a specific Made to Measure service for women next year.
“Our collections can be bought by all genders,” she said
“Our made to measure offer is geared towards a men’s tailoring block and we will be offering a women’s service early next year.
“Our men’s made to measure service can, of course, be purchased by both men and women”.
Maeve would like it to be put on record that she has accepted Magee’s full and frank apology and accepts the attempts from the store to make amends over the issue.
