How to Get Dresses Loaned for a High School Fashion Show

A fashion show is an exciting and uncommon school spirit event or fund-raising option. Fashion-conscious teens often enjoy watching their peers strut their stuff on the runway. This type of school event is particularly popular when prom time draws near; it allows students to catch a glimpse of the season's popular fashions before selecting their formal attire. While putting on a fashion show does require a great deal of planning, it can be a very economical event. In many cases, stores are willing to loan their expensive dresses to the school for use in their runway extravaganza.

Instructions

1. Offer local stores advertising opportunities. With a school formal fast approaching, local formal wear stores are likely eager to market their goods to students. Offer stores free advertising in return for allowing the school to borrow their dresses. You can place the names of these stores in the event program, and possibly allow the stores to post advertising material throughout the school hallways and integrate commercials for the helpful stores into the daily announcements as psrt of promoting the event.

2. Dedicate proceeds to charity. Many stores are more eager to help schools with their philanthropic efforts. If you charge a small fee for admission to the school fashion show, and donate these fees to a worthy charity or a school special project, some stores may be more willing to assist you in your efforts and loan clothing for the event.

3. Check into school and community partnerships. In some areas, local businesses partner with schools, providing financial support and free goods or services. Inquire about the existence of school and community partnerships at your school office. If your school already has an established relationship with a business that deals in formal wear, this business may be more apt to allow the school to lend goods for school events.

4. Use student and faculty connections. It is quite possible that a student or faculty member has a connection to an area dress store. Schools can use these connections to their advantage and ask the individual who is connected to the store to procure the dresses. The shop may be more inclined to loan dresses, as they have a personal connection to the event and know someone who will safeguard their merchandise.

Tips & Warnings

• Set up open lines of communication with partner retailers, ensuring that they know that their valuable merchandise will be being properly cared for.

• Do not launder the dresses that you borrow without consulting the retailer. Inquire with the store about how you should launder these clothes, so that no accidental damage occurs to the garments.

• Exercise extreme caution when using borrowed dresses. If you demonstrate responsibility and trustworthiness, you may be able to convince the generous retailers to participate in future fashion show events.

References

• Environmental Justice Foundation: Organizing a Fashion Show
• SafeGrad: Planning an Effective Fashion Show