Discounted Prom Dresses Modeled by Students Saturday

Kittanning Sr. High School Sophomore Tiffany Bowser looks for her favorite dress to wear at the Shine Again Boutique prom fashion show this Saturday. She selected the white one amongst her favorites so far.

by Jonathan Weaver

Tiffany Bowser of Worthington isn’t sure if she will be escorted to the prom this year, but will still get to show off one of her favorites so far this weekend.

The Kittanning High School sophomore will be one of four students modeling discounted prom dresses during Shine Again Boutique’s inaugural fashion show Saturday starting at 10AM.

Operations Manager Amanda Wynkoop said a portion of more than 200 donated prom dresses from retailers or local residents will be shown by the models Saturday before they are available for purchase for as little as $5.

“Most of them are brand-new,” Wynkoop said.

She said a similar sale was held at the West Kittanning store in March 2011 without the show, but dresses went quicker-than-expected and has had to hide them in storage so they wouldn’t be sold before Saturday’s events.

“Last year was the first year we did this – this is the first year for the fashion show, but we did do the prom sale last year – and it was crazy,” Wynkoop said. “On a normal day-to-day basis, we’re not that busy, and on that sale date, it was just crazy.

“We have people coming in everyday asking about the dresses. We’ve had them hidden because we don’t want to see them before the show,” Wynkoop added.

Welfare Initiatives Program Administrator Mia McMillen of the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board – which services Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties – explained the boutique is a State-mandated Community Service site which can help those referenced by their county assistance office learn job skills, find appropriate work clothing and, eventually, employment. She said it assisted approximately 600 people last year.

McMillen said remaining dresses last year were utilized by local students unable to purchase their perfect outfit.

“We just want to make sure the girls are keeping their youth and still are able to do all those youthful things, like going to prom or the other dances” McMillen said.

Wynkoop said dresses modeled Saturday will show some of the current trends, such as those with prints, sparkles or that is black-and-white.

Tiffany’s mother, Karla, has went shopping with her daughter for that perfect prom dress and said prices at retail stores are ‘crazy.’ She thinks the store’s mission and fashion show are a good idea.

“I really think this is a good idea. These are expensive dresses – and for the ones that can’t just go out and buy one from a regular store, this is a nice thing to have. Especially in today’s world the way the economy is,” Karla said.

While Karla has kept one of her prom dresses she wore at East Brady High School, Tiffany has also kept one her sister, Trista, wore at Kittanning Senior High – just-in-case.

“She saved one of Trista’s prom gowns because she really liked it, but she hasn’t worn it yet. Other than that, she’s her own person and got her own style,” Karla said.

Her favorite of the ones she tried on at a fitting Tuesday included a white strapless dress with beads.

Money made during the dress sales beginning Saturday will enhance the store.

“Any money we make is going to go in the longevity of Shine Again because it is state-funded, so we’re looking year-to-year. Any profit can expand that time,” McMillen said.

The fashion show begins at 10AM Saturday and is free to the public. Refreshments will also be available.