When it comes to thrifting, Kimberly Harris, owner of A New View Home Decor in Ashburn, is kind of an expert. For as long as she can remember, she’s been repurposing unwanted items into updated treasures. This year, she’s joining forces with a circle of friends and using those thrifting skills to host a prom dress event she’s dubbed “Prom Project.”
“We’ve been collecting beautiful donated gowns, accessories, and shoes, as well as monetary donations to purchase Uber and restaurant gift cards, so that students in our Loudoun community can enjoy the prom evening that they deserve without financial worries,” says Harris.
Harris will be accepting prom dress and accessory donations at her store at 20800 Ashburn Rd. until April 3. “Clean out those closets for a great cause. And receive a punch on your store loyalty card for every item you donate,” she says. Monetary donations of any amount can also be made online.
Prom Project: Many Hands Working Together
“We have been so lucky over the years to grow our New View clientele into a special community,” says Harris. She’s tapped several thrifting friends and partners to prepare for the event.
Support from Irene’s Prom Closet, a Leesburg-based outreach program with a long history of helping Loudoun students prepare for prom, has been especially helpful. “They will be working with family liaisons at our local schools to identify and connect with students who need help the most,” says Lanie Sano, director of marketing at A New View. Student attendance at the April 19 Project Prom event will be discreet and by invitation only.
Friend and fellow bargain hunter Carmen Corsi of Loudoun Thrift is bringing her talents to the effort by donating dresses, accessories, and shoes. “Carmen has a very loyal following on social media and is probably the kindest person I know,” says Sano. “She partnered with us to help with collections and will be on-site at the event to help style and encourage the girls.”
Friends from Ashburn’s Glow Studios will be providing free hair and makeup tips. They are also donating swag bags filled with beauty essentials for the girls who attend. They will add free sparkle hair for those interested.
An upcycle fashion seamstress from TXSIMADEIT (think Thanks, I Made It) has volunteered to provide free hemming and alterations. Heather McDonald, the World Language and Culture department chair at Loudoun’s Broad Run High School, will be giving students vouchers for free floral boutonnieres that she will create according to the date of each prom.
“This whole endeavor has become a labor of love, with everyone donating their time and talents,” says Sano. “These students have worked so hard to get through high school, and we want them to celebrate and feel like a queen for a day.”
Harris says she hopes to turn Prom Project into an annual event. “We want to give students the freedom to shine at prom without financial worry weighing them down. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to do this and for the team and community that came together to make these deserving young women feel truly celebrated.”
Feature image courtesy A New View
