Aly's Prom Closet helps dress teens

Shop fashions students in need with formals

When it comes to prom, everyone knows it's all about the dress. But many teens cannot afford to purchase a dress costing several hundred dollars, not to mention accessories and hair or makeup jobs that usually accompany a formal event.

Jessica McClintock inside the Fashion Show mall is collecting dresses from those who aren't going to recycle them each year and donating them to Aly's Prom Closet, a local charitable organization that offers gently used prom attire to both young men and women that can't afford it, free of charge.

Beginning in Reno as a tribute to Aly Christiansen, a student who was killed in a car crash in December 2001, Aly's Prom Closet serves the Las Vegas community for the once-a-year occasion. The organization, open for donations and giveaways only during prom season -- late February to late April -- consults local guidance counselors to determine which students are eligible for the dresses.

Jessica McClintock store manager Simone Salen said over the years, people have asked her what to do with their prom dresses when they're done wearing them. Until she recently began working with Leigh Aurbach of Aly's Prom Closet, she would tell them to save them for other occasions. But the typical teen wants a new dress for each. Dust tends to collect on the expensive items after the first use.

"Most young people don't like to wear them a second time," Salen said. "They also attend various proms around town, and they don't want to wear the same dress over and over again."

After accepting donated dresses until March 28, Jessica McClintock is offering 15 percent off the purchase of the new dresses.

Aurbach said the donation sites -- as well as a prom dress fashion show occurring through Sunday in the Great Hall at the Fashion Show mall -- are a great way to get the word out. She hopes the exposure will yield more donations, not only for dresses, but shoes, accessories and other aspects of a typical prom experience. She'd eventually like to offer donated dinners or shows and corsages.

"People have really come out of the woodwork to support this, "Aurbach said. "Last year we probably had about 100 kids come through and we gave away about 60 dresses."

Salen said the Jessica McClintock store keeps track of the what school each dress-buying girl attends in order to make sure there won't be two of the same dress at a particular prom. If they don't have the perfect size, they will ship it to the recipient within two days from their large warehouse in San Francisco, Calif.

Aurbach said Aly's Prom Closet has received, in addition to all different types of used dresses, Jessica McClintock dresses as well. Since the store has repeat customers and most dresses have a timeless style, both the girls seeking a new dress and those who can't afford one are getting the best available options.

"You can't beat the value," Salen said. "Girls feel like they're wearing a million dollar dress. I've seen some girls come in when they're young and get their confirmation dress, and years later come back to buy their prom dress."

Fashion show times are 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. through Sunday.

Those interested in Aly's Prom Closet can visit 6370 E. Flamingo Road on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 355-6360.


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