Priscilla of Boston Wedding Dresses Destroyed in Dumpster

EDINA, Minn. - Many people are seeing red after dozens of brand new, bright white wedding dresses were draped over a dumpster in the parking lot outside of Priscilla of Boston in Edina, Minn. as two men sprayed red paint on gowns with price tags in the thousands.

“I picked up a dress that was a Vera Wang, and the tag said $6,000 dollars," said Bessie Giannakakis, of Bessie’s Boutique. “You wanted to throw up in the dumpster. You really did.”

On Friday, Dec. 30 behind a recently-closed Priscilla of Boston bridal boutique, with one witness senther photos of the dress destruction to FOX 9.

SLIDESHOW: Priscilla of Boston Dresses Destroyed

In August, David’s Bridal announced it would close all of its Priscilla of Boston locations after 65 years in the business. All locations closed together on Dec. 30.

”After nearly 65 years of serving some of America’s most beautiful brides, we have made the difficult decision to bring out business to a close,” a message on the Priscilla of Boston website reads.

In an emailed letter to David’s Bridal and Priscilla of Boston customer service, addressed to David Bridal CEO Robert Huth, dress destruction witness Sheila Roth said she was “appalled at the blatant waste.”

”When I inquired at the store I was told that 'corporate' ordered that all the remaining inventory be destroyed,” Roth said. “When I asked why the dresses hadn't been donated, I was told that it had something to do with the contracts with the labels. I found this surprising since I have shopped discount retailers where labels are always cut out of garments.”

Roth and others wondered why Priscilla of Boston wouldn’t donate its inventory to a number of organization that help brides in need, like Brides Across America which helps military brides, or Brides Against Breast Cancer.

Patrick Walsh, president of Priscilla of Boston, sent a statement to FOX 9 News, saying, "Priscilla of Boston has always donated quality bridal gowns to a variety of causes. We do not, however, unsaleable dresses that are damaged, soiled or in otherwise poor condition."

Statement from David's Bridal:

“Like many of you, we were disheartened by imagery of a small number of unsold bridal gowns being destroyed following a Priscilla of Boston salon closure in the Midwest.

As the parent company of Priscilla of Boston, we fully understand the anger and frustration that many people are feeling about this occurrence.

While it has been Priscilla of Boston’s policy not to make donations of sample dresses that are in poor condition, we recognize that some of these dresses could possibly have gone to worthy causes.

David’s Bridal has already begun bringing together all of the remaining Priscilla of Boston gowns to evaluate them and ensure that they are donated to our charitable partners wherever possible.”

From all of us at David’s Bridal, we truly appreciate hearing your sentiments. We believe that every bride deserves a beautiful gown, and we will continue to honor that commitment.

Yet, a few dresses salvaged from the dumpster did not have any visible defects.

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