Fashion designer faces claims of verbal, physical abuse against client

Facebook posts allege Tabassum Mughal ordered to beat up a customer's mother


Web Desk August 02, 2015
PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Social media was taken by storm as posts alleging 'mistreatment' by designer Tabassum Mughal went viral on Sunday.

The posts by a soon-to-be bride’s cousin and friend alleged Tabassum Mughal mistreated the bride’s mother and had her beaten up when she protested against the designer’s refusal to return her daughter’s clothes.

“Finally today my cousin's mother went to pick up the dresses because today was the delivery date. They refused to give the dresses to her. Her mother (my chachi) got furious and started yelling and demanded to call Tabassum. Upon this shouting, Tabassum and her manager appeared and Tabassum instructed her manager to beat the woman up,” the post read.

“In short, four men and Tabassum kicked, punched and slapped my chachi and threw her out of the house saying that ‘people who travel in rickshaws don't deserve to shop at Tabassum Mughal’”, it added.

The post claimed the bride had ordered her barat and valima outfits from the designer. However, the designer initially didn’t show the bride her dresses and when she finally did two weeks before her wedding the “outfits were completely off.”

PHOTO: FACEBOOK

“The measurements were haywire and the colours and kaam were hideous. My cousin got really mad and told off the girls and the manager there. Tabassum, meanwhile had disappeared and didn't come in contact at all, even though my cousin demanded to speak to her because she had taken the order,” the post further read.

They further alleged that this was not the first time the designer misbehaved with them. “Countless times, the designer's manager misbehaved, only verbally, and said that no such brief was given but still they'd make changes.”

“This woman is heavily bruised and bleeding in places. I'm appalled by the behaviour of Tabassum Mughal. Extremely disappointed. The dresses that cost Rs0.85 million, have cost a woman her respect.”

Many took to social media and criticised the designer’s alleged behaviour while some had their own terrifying tales of bad customer service to share. Some even created a page on Facebook titled 'Bring Tabassum Mughal to justice.'

PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Images of a woman’s bruised hand also accompanied many posts narrating this story, however, could not be independently verified.

Further, Mughal took to her Facebook page to reply to the allegations but later deleted her response. When contacted by The Express Tribune, the designer refused to comment.

Here is a screenshot of the deleted post:

COMMENTS (37)

Hassan Shehryar Yasin | 8 years ago | Reply It is a great disappointment to learn about Tabassum Mughal's behavior towards her clients. Her posts expresses the inside that she possesses. Clients are valuable and the best pillar to any business. In any case, one should not use the word "Animal" for them. I think Tabassum Mughal as a designer is the worst Animal in Pakistan Fashion Industry. All good designers stand with the sufferer and demand Tabassum Mughal bring to justice. Shame on you Tabassum Mughal!
Mulla Diesel | 8 years ago | Reply The problem with us Pakistanis is that we immediately take sides with the first sign of injustice without hearing or thinking of the whole story. Why would the designer let alone her father beat up a woman without any provocation or justification. The fact is we have a largely uneducated population who have an opinion about everything and think they know best. I still say the mother deserved what she got. People think since they are paying money they can do whatever they want. I face a similar situation every day in customer service and God only knows how many times ive been tempted to slap people for their rude behaviour.
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