THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 16, 1996 TAG: 9602150179
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK YOUNG, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
The annual citywide Formal Fashion Fling at Kempsville High School gymnasium has a reputation. It's the place to go before planning any formal affair.
This year, savvy shoppers will find more than gently used formal attire - much more - at the sixth annual fling taking place Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event, a cooperative effort among city high schools, began as a fund-raiser for their alcohol and drug free graduation celebrations. It features new and used gowns, tuxedos and accessories as well as vendors of every formal affair need from luxury limos to bejewelled fingernails.
More vendors of new formal wear will be involved than before. Several of them have donated items to be sold or auctioned to raise more funds. The most exciting of these donations are 22 sequined dresses (valued at $6,000) from K. Lily Evening and Formal Wear and a leather jacket from Lowenthal Furriers. Door prizes have been donated by a tanning salon, a portrait photographer, florists, hairdressers and make-up artists.
In past years the wisest shoppers have shown up well in advance of the 10 a.m. opening time to get their place in line. Early-bird shoppers have been rewarded with $400 gowns, many worn only once, that sell for as little as $75 to $100. ``The really expensive ones go like a flash,'' warned co-chairperson Debbie Lowrance. Average dresses will sell for $35 to $50. This year a bargain rack of $10 to $15 items will be provided for low-cost costume hunters.
Last year, Kempsville alone raised $2,000 from the event where 1,000 shoppers paid the $2 admission to search through more than 500 dresses and countless accessories.
Each participating high school reaps the benefit of the handling fees for the consigned items, which are $5 for dresses and tuxedos and $2 for accessories (shoes, purses, bow ties, etc.).
The organizers advise those selling items to set prices for quick sales. The competition is stiff. Last year a third of the dresses remained unsold.
``It's not wild but there is an adrenalin flow,'' said Lowrance.
Dresses are organized by size, and guides stand by inside the doors to direct the incoming shoppers. In the two dressing rooms for women, seamstresses will help fit gowns, and attendants will keep the next gown coming, returning rejected gowns to the racks.
A festive air helps keep spirits light for customers and volunteers alike. At 11:30 p.m. a fashion show will feature Kempsville high students wearing clothes from Johnson's Formal Wear and All the Rage dress shop. Those wishing to sell an item, attend the show or just get further information, may call Debbie Lowrance at 495-9036 or Merrilyn St. Denis at 495-5095. Drop off dresses at:
Kempsville High, Feb. 22 and 23 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Cox, Feb. 22 and 23 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
First Colonial, Feb. 22 and 23 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Bayside High, Feb. 22 and 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Green Run High, Feb. 21 and 22 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tallwood High, Feb. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Feb. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Princess Anne High, Feb. 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 22 from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
For information about schools not listed, call the school office. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Merrilyn St. Denis, co-chair for the sixth annual Formal Fashion
Fling at Kempsville High, displays dresses donated by K. Lily
Evening & Formal Wear for the Feb. 24 event.
by CNB