The bridal industry is facing scrutiny after Tessa Tookes, a Black bride-to-be, shared her experience of being charged extra for bra cups to match her skin color at a boutique in Ontario. Ms. Tookes fell in love with her dream wedding dress but felt uncomfortable after realizing the implications of the added cost for cups that matched her skin tone.
Her fiancé, Joey Kirchner, expressed outrage on TikTok, questioning why it was free to be white but not to have cups that matched darker skin tones. The video went viral, prompting the boutique to offer the entire dress for free, but Ms. Tookes felt that the gesture did not address the underlying issue.
Since then, many designers have reached out to the couple, showcasing their inclusive policies. Ms. Tookes eventually found her new wedding dress in New York, where she felt supported and valued as a bride of color.
This experience is not unique to Ms. Tookes, as other women of color, like Ashley Oliver Thomas, have also faced challenges finding wedding dresses that cater to their skin tones. Ms. Thomas highlighted the extra labor and costs associated with altering dresses to match darker skin tones, calling it a “Black tax” or “person of color tax.”
In response to these challenges, designers like Gbemi Okunlola have created bridal collections with a wide range of skin tone options, prioritizing inclusivity and representation. Ms. Tookes noted that even small changes, like updating language on websites to be more inclusive, can have a significant impact.
The conversation sparked by Ms. Tookes and Mr. Kirchner’s TikTok video is shedding light on the need for greater diversity and inclusivity in the bridal industry, ensuring that all brides feel seen, valued, and beautiful on their special day.
