FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In a Release dated May 27, 1998, the FTC reported that they are charging Continental, a New York-based drycleaner, with violating the Care Labeling Rule and with false advertising. That company, which has represented and marketed itself with as many as six different names, including Nationwide and Prestige, claims to use a process which it calls the "Zurcion Method". "Zurcion" is unknown to other industry sources.
Steven Saidman, president of Imperial, has been a leading force in efforts to get the FTC to protect consumers from the deceptive practices that have been employed by Continental. In printed materials, news releases and meetings with Connie Vecellio of the FTC, Saidman has supplied data that he had gathered as a result of Imperial's work in the field. "We regularly hear from professional drycleaners, bridal retailers, bridal manufacturers and consumers about problems with the alleged ‘Zurcion' process," Saidman says.

"We have seen the damage on gowns that have been handled by Continental, Prestige and Nationwide."

In one case, a bride found her gown covered with both old and new stains. Nationwide refused to correct the problem and even held the gown for a year, refusing to communicate with her. Shelley Brown's story appeared in The Boston Globe on June 8, 1994. In September, 1995, she told her story and showed her damaged gown on NBC-TV's Leeza Show. Saidman appeared as an industry expert on that same show, and Imperial is currently in possession of Brown's gown. When asked by The Globe and Leeza to comment on Brown's case, Nationwide merely quoted from their warranty, pointing out that it prohibits consumers from breaking a "protective seal" that they place on the box. Numerous similar experiences have been reported by other brides. Wedding gowns should never be "sealed" to inhibit air flow or prohibit access for inspection.

Imperial Gown Restoration Company has been cleaning, preserving and restoring bridal gowns since 1947. They are recommended by bridal manufacturers and retailers, as well as respected media sources such as Martha Stewart and Town & Country Magazine. Imperial has been featured as a respected resource by Elegant Bridal, Bridal Gown Guide, Modern Bride, The Perfect Wedding, The Washington Post, News Channel 8, WTTG-TV, Washington, WUSA-TV, Washington, WJZ-TV, Boston, VOWS Magazine, among many others. Saidman has also hosted a bridal call-in radio talk show in the Washington area.

Steven Saidman joined his family owned and operated company in 1971, and, along with his wife and business partner, Susan Saidman, personally oversees the daily operation of every aspect of his company. Imperial provides every bride and inquiring consumer with a copy of their "Seven Questions You Must Ask" (See www.gown.com/7point.htm). Among those questions, Imperial instructs consumers how to avoid being victimized by companies that do not allow inspection of the gown. Imperial gives an unmatched fifty-year, replacement value warranty with every gown they preserve, even if the bride opens the box to inspect it.