Prom fashion on parade

Prom is months away, but prom shopping is in full swing.

Lauren Nelson, manager at Joy's Bridal and Formal Wear in Sikeston, Mo., says the shop has been packed every weekend since the beginning of the year with girls looking for the perfect dress.

To help girls find the dress of their dreams, Joy's will host its first-ever prom fashion show on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Nelson says she got the idea from a Casablanca dress representative. "It's a great way to get girls in the store and benefit the community," Nelson says.

There will be a $5 entry fee for the fashion show, with all proceeds going to House of Refuge in Sikeston.

"We wanted something local that was for women," Nelson says.

House of Refuge is a not-for-profit organization that helps victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. It can house about 16 people and provides services including legal advocacy, personal advocacy, case management, counseling and medical assistance.

Nelson has been planning the fashion show since October and says the community response has been fantastic, with many Sikeston businesses donating prizes and other services for the event.

There will be snacks and drawings, including a raffle for an AT&T phone.

For models, Nelson recruited 22 girls from local high schools. "We tried to get girls from all the high schools," she says. "We didn't get a single 'no' from the girls we asked; they're excited to be a part of it." Each girl will model two or three dresses.

Joy's will be open after the show for girls wanting to shop for dresses. "We're giving 10 percent off if you purchase or put a dress on layaway (the day of the show)," Nelson says.

If you can't make it to the show, Nelson says girls can come in anytime to shop for dresses -- even the week before prom. "Our seamstress (Mary Vandeven) is so fast and so good, she can make it work," Nelson says.

The fashion show will begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 12 at Joy's, 118 E. Center St. in Sikeston.