Although wedding gowns and Costco seem like an odd match, Chief
Executive Jim Sinegal said the company has carried a variety of high-end
fashion items, including Coach handbags, and recently sold a $259,000
diamond in one of its stores. The Issaquah, Wash., chain’s wedding line
also includes engagement rings, invitations, floral centerpieces and
honeymoon vacation packages.
Fake bags
“That’s what Costco is all about — the Waterford crystal next to the
tires and mayonnaise,” Sinegal said. “When we’re doing the best job is
when we have those products that the customer doesn’t expect.”
The trunk shows have been attracting not just brides on budgets but
stylish shoppers such as Antonia Jones, an actress and film student from
Studio City who arrived for her bridal appointment at Costco wearing
navy Christian Louboutin pumps and toting a Fendi handbag.
Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya PM
“With the economy the way it is, you want to have a beautiful dress for
your wedding day, but you wear it one day, and it’s not cost-effective,”
she said.
Of buying a dress at Costco, she said: “I tongue-in-cheek make fun of
it, but everyone wants to save money now. I don’t think people would
know, and you know what, I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”
Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolor Eugénie Wallet
But Brown’s doubts evaporated as she watched Los Angeles designer
Kirstie Kelly and a team of bridal consultants fawn and fret over Russo
as she tried on wedding gowns at Costco’s Los Feliz store Thursday.
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