Galia Lahav SOHO New York City — Local services in New York

TLDR: gorgeous dresses, great service (for the most part), but lots of growing pains and a plethora of management issues that the brand is facing.

Recently there has been a ton of controversy surrounding GL and I feel like chiming in to share what I've learned about the brand and my own experience, as I've been a big fan of the brand for literally years before even getting engaged. Brides, you can judge for yourself.

Dresses are insanely gorgeous. The level of details and craftsmanship are unparalleled -- no denial about that Most Galia boutiques I've been to have really amazing service - also no denial about that The only Galia store that's directly run by Galia and her family is this location in SoHo. The flagship in LA, Miami, and Shanghai are run by third parties/middlemen. Not sure about the Tel Aviv location. As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, recently the middlemen who operated the flagship in Shanghai ran away with ~$1mm and scammed tons of brides, leaving them with no dresses after they spent upwards of $20k+. A lot of brides have had issues with both of their dresses and alterations at the LA location, which is also run by a third party (do a reddit search and you'll know; look up Victoria Garrick's IG stories and you will see how the LA seamstress screwed up her alterations at first). There's also an LA tiktok influencer who recently detailed her experience about having her dress made wrong with only 4 weeks to go before her wedding, and she bought her dress from the GL LA location (I ran into her IRL even though she didn't name drop which designer on the tiktok). You would think that buying from any "flagship" location means that there's quality guarantee, but apparently that's not the case here.

The issue is that GL is NOT investing enough resources to vet these middlemen/suppliers or holding them accountable. I get it the brand is facing a lot of growing pains, but letting middlemen taint your brand is terribly short-sighted, and would have long-term consequences. You can say however you want that the quality issues and scams are all middlemen's fault, and GL has nothing to do with it, but let's think about this from a different angle. Would Nike US let a Nike store in China sell fake shoes? No, their stocks would tank. And remember a while back when staff at some Hermes boutique in France were selling fake Birkins? Hermes punished the hell out of them and sent those people to jail. That's what GL needs to do -- invest in the right resources to VET the middlemen, do your due diligence, and not turn a blind eye to those who are tainting your brand. GL and her family poured their heart and soul into creating an amazing brand. Decades of hard work, you are just going to let some middlemen ruin your reputation? That's an incredibly stupid business move -- I hope that GL would make things right for the brides before it's too late (instead of threatening brides to take down bad reviews, which btw, I have seen the...

Galia Lahav was my dream wedding dress designer and my first and only wedding dress shop! We had a fabulous 1st experience with GiGi trying on dresses and saying yes to this beautiful floral strapless wedding gown. We decided to add a layer underneath to make it appear whiter, removable straps and a custom bust. During the first fitting the seamstress focused on the bust (which needed a lot of taking in, so much for custom) the undergarments which were huge and the hem. We went back and forth about the hem - but left it the way she said, and fixing a slight wrinkle in the fabric. The second fitting, the dress was still way too long as you heard the crunch of beads every time I walked so again we shortened it. We also added appliqué in bare spots and to cover boning on the bust of dress - that I noticed through pictures after 1st fitting. However, it was disheartening during second and third fittings a store representative was no where to be found in the tailoring department. My mom had to go hunt for someone to come downstairs to explain our concerns about the hem and communicate that with the seamstress who didn’t really want to hem it further. Also my veil wasn’t in my bag so I didn’t get to try it on. At my third and final fitting they had to hunt for my veil! Again, no one in the store was downstairs to help us and upstairs was completely empty!! I think one of the girls who was downstairs sat in the Bach on her phone. My straps that cost $700? They Kept popping off when I moved my arms, so she sewed on a button to keep them on. Lastly, when the dress was ready we took it home in Galia Lahav bag that we noticed had a burn mark, that’s what they sent this expensive dress home in!!! AND they forgot to put the extra fabric in the bag - I called the store and talked to GiGi and she said they would mail it - never received, which I’m so upset about. On my wedding, I slid into my vintage car and the undergarment popped, I felt something poking me. They left a pin in it and then it felt baggy after that. Overall I absolutely loved my dress, but felt like once the dress was purchased and paid for, the experience...

I cannot express enough how fortunate I feel to have had the opportunity to work with my incredible stylist, Amy!

Since childhood, I had admired Galia Lahav’s designs and couldn’t wait to get engaged so that I could one day wear one of them.

From the moment I stepped into the bridal studio, I knew I was in the hands of a true professional. First and foremost, the level of expertise displayed by Amy was beyond impressive. She immediately put me at ease and took the time to listen to my ideas, preferences, and concerns. With a keen eye for detail and her familiarity with Galia Lahav’s designs, she helped me choose the perfect gown that complemented my figure and fulfilled all of childhood dreams.

Throughout the entire process, Amy radiated enthusiasm and passion for her craft. It was evident that she genuinely cared about making my bridal look unique and tailored to my personality. She guided me through a plethora of stunning accessories, veils, and ensuring every element was harmonious and matched my vision perfectly.

Beyond her technical skills, her warm and supportive personality made me feel like I was working with a close friend. She provided not only invaluable advice but also emotional support during the sometimes overwhelming process. Her positivity and reassurance calmed my nerves, reminding me that everything will be flawless on the big day.

To all future brides out there, if you want a seamless and unforgettable experience while looking and feeling your best on your wedding day, do not hesitate to book an appointment with this remarkable bridal stylist. She is an absolute gem in the world of bridal fashion! Amy, five stars don't seem enough to rate the incredible work you do, but it's the least I can do to show my gratitude. You have forever left a mark on my heart and I cannot wait for my big day!

With utmost...