In a video that has garnered attention on TikTok, a soon-to-be groom expressed his frustration with a bridal dress shop that allegedly offered his Black fiancée 'nude' undergarments for free, but charged her extra for undergarments that matched her own skin tone. The groom, known as @joeyandtessa on TikTok, shared his disappointment and called out wedding dress designers for perpetuating such discriminatory practices.
According to @joeyandtessa, his fiancée, Tessa, visited a dress shop in search of the perfect wedding gown. However, what was supposed to be a magical experience turned sour when the store's staff informed Tessa about the available options for undergarments to wear beneath the dress. They explained that the standard choice was a 'nude' shade, provided at no additional cost. However, if Tessa wanted an undergarment that matched her own skin tone, she would have to pay extra.
Joey expressed his disbelief at the situation, questioning why 'white' was considered the standard for nude undergarments. He pointed out the absurdity of the fact that it was free to be white, but his fiancée had to pay extra to have undergarments that matched her own skin tone. He further emphasized that it was unacceptable for this kind of discrimination to be happening in 2024.
While acknowledging that the store's staff were not the designers themselves, Joey expressed his disappointment with the way his fiancée had to navigate an uncomfortable conversation and stand awkwardly with the people selling her the dress. Tessa had to request the undergarment she truly wanted without paying for it directly, instead opting to dye the 'nude' one herself to match her skin tone.
With his video, @joeyandtessa aimed to bring attention to this unfair situation and urged wedding dress designers to address the issue. He called for them to acknowledge the problem and find a solution.
Discrimination in the wedding industry, especially regarding skin tone and inclusivity, is an issue that needs to be confronted. Every bride deserves to feel beautiful and confident on her special day, regardless of her race or skin tone. The incident that @joeyandtessa shared sheds light on the importance of creating an inclusive environment where all individuals can find wedding attire that caters to their needs and celebrates their uniqueness.
It is crucial for wedding dress designers to reassess their practices and ensure that they provide a range of undergarments that match diverse skin tones, without added charges. By taking note of incidents like this and actively addressing them, the industry can move towards a more inclusive future. All brides, regardless of their skin tone, should feel valued and respected throughout their wedding dress shopping experience.
