For students looking for fashionable and affordable dresses for homecoming, a stop at Start High School should be at the top of any fashionista’s list.
A school sale this weekend will offer affordable attire to teens who might otherwise have difficulty buying special occasion wear.
My Sister’s Closet boutique, located in the school’s main lobby, will have gently used dresses from sizes 1 to 30 on sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for $25 per dress, cash only. There will also be proper attire for male teens — suits, shirts, ties, and pants — on sale as well.
Robinetta West, fashion marketing teacher and adviser for the DECA education club, said the annual dress sale raises money for the juniors and seniors in the club for several field trips throughout the year. Planned trips this year include a sewing trade show in Novi, Mich., and a trip to New York City in November. There will also be a trip to Chicago in April for the One of a Kind Show.
“I want the students to be able to see different aspects of fashion and marketing,” Ms. West said. “Markets, fabric shops, and trade shows allow them to see the behind the scenes of the business.”
DECA is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA’s comprehensive learning program integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, promotes competition and connects to business.
Ms. West came to Start in 2009 to run the fashion marketing program. She was at Bowsher High School from 2001 to 2009 teaching entrepreneurship. Ms. West also has her own business, Robinetta West Apparel and Bridal, in Westgate. She designs and creates custom bridal gowns.
“The fashion marketing program is two years long,” Ms. West said. “The juniors in the program learn about design principles and marketing. The seniors are taught about merchandising and promotion.”
The My Sister’s Closet boutique is open throughout the year, Ms. West said. It currently showcases donated dresses, both long and short, as well as dress shoes.
More information about DECA is available at deca.org. For information about the homecoming dress event contact Ms. West at 419-671-3000.