By Haylee Holt
The College Cover Girl is all about feeling good, looking good, and doing good. Who is to say we can’t have it all? We are a community of empowered women breaking cycles, testing theories, motivating peers, and expressing individuality. We find our purpose within our identity. Some women use their platform to influence society. Some women participate in philanthropic events that establish financial change. Other women bring their ideas to life so they can provide a sense of community, lend a hand to young adults, and start a mission that brings value to society. Rockin’ Frocks joins this focus of change by promoting positive self esteem and self worth in teens by providing dresses for school dances.
Transformations are not solely in those cheesy 90’s romantic comedies that we love. Sometimes our She’s All That moment is granted by people right around corner. The new couture is recycled clothing. It’s a win-win-win situation! You save the Earth, glam up your style, and benefit the community.
While volunteering at The Emergency Assistance Center in Northfield, Linda Imrie’s daughter, Sam, saw first hand the defeat teen girls felt not being able to attend school dances due to financial hardship. Both Imrie and her daughter understood how tough a negative body image and financial insecurity impacted one’s self worth.
Rockin’ Frocks is a nurturing, sincere, and accepting local boutique in Macedonia, Ohio that is supported for and by the community. They sell gently used and discounted dresses for a low price so that women can afford their Cinderella night. Since this establishment is run by volunteers, all of the proceeds go back directly into the store. Any teen girl that is in need can become a “FROCK Star,” and experience a high level consumer experience and feel like a princess for a night! They can keep the gown, donate back, or pay-it-forward to another girl. Talk about showing feminists at their finest! In the future, Rock ‘N Frocks hopes to take their dresses to schools where students are not capable of travel to offer pop-up dress shops.
According to Imrie, “Any teen not able to purchase a dress due to financial hardship is welcome to shop free. Some girls are referred to us through social service agencies or schools. Some are brought in by a relative or neighbor. Many contact us themselves. It is not our place to judge why a girl is in need. All we know is that she deserves a special experience the same as any other teen.”
Transformations do not change who you are, they highlight the beauty you already have on the inside and out. Fashion is an artistic celebration of one’s uniqueness, character, personality, grace, and confidence. We can manipulate our style to reflect who we are, where we are from, and who we strive to be. Take advantage of your superpower! “Out in the world a girl may be labeled many things, trans-sexual, special needs, athletic, smart, overweight… to us she is just a kid needing a dress that makes her feel strong and beautiful,” says Imrie.
This closet is filled with a variety of flair and taste from sleek to majestic. Each dress is fit for a queen with a price that is not out of this world. Affordability and individuality are the priorities of this generation. It is a trend that spreads far and wide. “We do not have pictures of models or fashion magazines and we encourage every girl to embrace her individual beauty as opposed to unobtainable societal standards of beauty. We are meticulous about carrying a selection of sizes for every girl 00-30. Beautiful, new, teen appropriate dresses do not end at size 16 and for families able to pay, the larger sizes do not cost extra. We level the playing field, so to speak, so one body-type, race, sexual orientation, spiritual belief, ability, etc is not valued over another,” says Imrie.
If you are a savvy shopper searching for a bargain, a retailer looking to donate to a cause, or a girl dreaming of her special night, check out this impressive boutique. It’s like Rockin’ Frocks always says, “You create beauty with your attitude, your actions, and your behavior.”
Check out Haylee’s first novel here!
