ARLINGTON — After two years in Arlington, the prom dress exchange and fashion show is making a change in venue to Marysville, although it’s still open to residents of both towns, just as businesses from both towns are taking part in the annual event to benefit young women in need as they seek to dress their best for their special night.
On Saturday, April 20, the Damascus Road Church at 1050 State Ave. will serve as the site for the fashion show from 10-11 a.m., followed by the prom dress exchange from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the two main collection points are Trusty Threads at 1515 Third St. in Marysville and The Silver Hanger at 437 N. Olympic Ave. in Arlington, both of which will be accepting dresses until Monday, April 15.
Jeanne Watanabe of The Silver Hanger noted that close to 400 dresses have already been collected, and added that representatives for each of the Snohomish County high schools have been contacted to try and get the word out for more donations for the prom dress exchange, and more student models for the fashion show.
The first year of the event drew an estimated 125 dresses and 50 young women browsing through the aisles, while the event’s second year attracted an estimated 75 shoppers, who had more than 250 dresses to choose from. Last year also featured the first fashion show in conjunction with the prom dress exchange, which included 50 young women who served as models for a number of the donated dresses.
“What we’re hoping will happen is that those who take dresses to wear for prom this year will return them in good condition for other girls to wear at next year’s prom,” Watanabe said. “We’re trying to keep our inventory stocked.”
Watanabe pointed out that dresses are not the only items that prom-goers could use, since the prom dress exchange also offer shoes and other outfit accessories.
All the excess dresses will also be made available through the Arlington Kids’ Kloset, as they were last year, and Watanabe promised that local sponsors will once again be offering discounts on prom-related products and services such as beauty makeovers to go with the gently used evening gowns, shoes, gloves and purses that are available.
“You can get free tips on how to do your makeup and hair,” Watanabe said. “You don’t even need to bring a dress to get a dress. We just hope you’ll bring whatever dress you get back.”
The first 50 guests to register online at www.promexchange.bpt.me and donate a minimum of $5 will receive a “swag bag” at the show.
For more information, call Watanabe at The Silver Hanger at 360-548-3294, or log onto www.facebook.com/PromExchange.
