Spice Responds...

Following this post last week, I received this message from Spice PR Driselle Ramjohn on August 21st 2009.

Hi Ac Boots,

We at Spice Carnival have in the past and will continue to try to accommodate all masqueraders interested in playing mas with us. 

We have never and will never discriminate against anyone.

Based on the availability of sizes to us on the frontline costumes we are only able to offer frontlines at the specified sizes (which can be seen on our website) This issue is beyond our control. 

However we do deal with everyone on a case by case basis with personalized service to see if we can come up with an option that you are most happy with. 

Our backline sections encompasses a range of sizes and we are also the only Carnival band that offers corsets as an option. 

We continue to go the extra mile to accommodate everyone and to ensure that all our masqueraders are comfortable on road.

Thank you for your interest in Spice Carnival! 

Regards,

Driselle 

This was my email to Ms. Ramjohn sent on August 17th.

Dear Driselle,
I understand form inquiries made at the mascamp in person and via phone that Spice will not be catering to women larger than a 36C cup for their frontline costumes.

I also understand that you are not allowing masqueraders to bring in their own bras to decorate.

Can you say why this is so? 

This seems like blatant discrimination to me as it seems that the band is catering only to a certain size of masquerader in the band.

I look forward to your response.

The words "woefully inadequate" came to mind. What say you?

Not So Spicey...

After being all hyped up on Spice, I was extremely disappointed to learn that masqueraders wishing to play frontline in Spice cannot getting anything bigger than a 36C bra. 

Now while this bra limitation does not affect me directly, (as I have required and now envious 36C cup size), I think this issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. 

After dribbling over Spice's launch pics many persons are now left disappointed that they cannot get into the costume of their choice because of something as simple as their cup size.

I have called the mas camp on several occasions on this issue that I do not think is being addressed at all by Spice. 

I was told all of those things when I contacted the mas camp directly:

Yes, what you are seeing on the website is correct, there is nothing larger than a 36C bra available for FL masqueraders...

No, you cannot bring in your own bra/corset for Spice to decorate...

No, it does not matter if you are willing to pay the extra cost...

This is just Spice's policy...

Well it's a pretty crappy policy to me and one that I think is costing Spice lots of potential masqueraders. Spice's policy seems to be one of good old fashioned discrimination. 

Is it that they are equating having a larger bust size to mean that you are a fuller figured woman and thus should not be in the front of their sections? 

Is it that the suppliers in China cannot supply monokini and bikinis in a size larger than 36C?

Is it that after their experience this year it was just too much headache to be bothered to cater for the big busted ladies?

No one knows for sure and we can only assume.

What is even more disturbing to me is the fact that despite many people have been discussing this issue and calling them on it, Spice has not yet breathed a word or made any kind of statement on The Bra Issue.

I have received inane messages from Spice's PR, Ms. Driselle Ramjohn via the Spice Group on Facebook since the launch, including one this morning saying "You can message me right here on facebook or e-mail me at pr@spicecarnivalband.com of you have any questions or queries". 

Well I did that earlier this week and up to the time of this post, I have not received a response from Ms. Ramjohn or anyone in Spice. (this same Ms. Ramjohn never called me back when I asked about a mediapass for the launch, but anyhoo).

Spice has done and continues to do a HORRIBLE job when it comes to effective communication to their past and potential masqueraders.

And it is not just with this bra issue as up to this morning, I received the following email from an overseas masquerader...

Hi

 

I follow your blog and was wondering if you had any information on how to contact Spice for Ceylon Pearls. I have sent them an email via their websi

te last week and still have not heard any response.

 

I thought I would give it one more try and then I’ll go spend my money with another band that understands customer service.

 

I responded to the person that I would enquire on their behalf and that they should also contact Spice via the email address Spice indicated.

Come on Spice, you are my band of choice this year, say something man!