Calling all school-age fashionistas! Reston Community Center is gearing up to host its annual Diva Central event on Saturday, March 16.
Now in its 22nd year, Diva Central is a single-day prom and formal dress shopping event that is open to middle- and high school-age students who need formal dresses and/or accessories.
All items are free of cost. Each student can receive up to two dresses, one set of accessories and one pair of shoes.
The event was launched in 2002 after teens had expressed concerns about the high costs associated with prom and other formal activities. Teens said the dress was always the most expensive item for the occasion. From these discussions, Diva Central was born.
At its inception, this annual dress giveaway event was the first of its kind in the Northern Virginia area. Now, 22 years later, it has become a universal access program aimed to inspire students from around the area to build self-esteem and promote confidence.
Dresses for Everyone
Reston Community Center collects dress donations for the event throughout February.
“During that time, we start to put them out on the floor,” says LaTanja Snelling, equity partnership director for Reston Community Center. “We try to set it up like a boutique so that they can have the best experience possible.”
The center typically receives a couple hundred dresses each year, typically in newer styles that students may gravitate toward more. Older styles that may not be as current are recycled out as needed.
While it all depends upon the donations, Diva Central tries to have a selection of dresses available in all size ranges. Dressing areas are available for students to try on the dresses.
The event also features door prizes donated by businesses, free food, and music.
“Families in our community appreciate our annual event and it continues to grow every year,” Snelling says. “I love decorating for the event, and my favorite part is seeing the student’s faces when they come in and just how excited they are.”
The March 16 event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Reston Community Center Lake Anne at 1609-A Washington Plaza N. in Reston.
Registration can be completed in advance on the Reston Community Center website or in person at the door.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
