PromAdvice

Ask Fashion Girl - Prom Edition

Dear Fashion Girl,

Our Prom theme is Moulin Rouge.  What kind of style should I wear?

-Ileana

Dear Ileana,

You are going to have so much fun - that theme is awesome!  It's best to understand a little bit about the Moulin Rouge to know what you'll need to wear. The Moulin Rouge is a centuries-old, traditional French cabaret theater where tourists can catch a music/dance entertainment show when visiting Montmarte, a district in Paris.  The decor is turn-of-the-century French romance - lots of red, black, and other rich colors. V. dramatic! Think full skirts, bold colors, long dresses, tiers of ruffles, and long black gloves. Basically, you want a showstopping dress that'll get you noticed! 

To get inspired, you should absolutely check out the FIDM Debut 2008 Fashion Show, which had a can can theme this year!  Click here to watch. And here are some dress styles to inspire you:

Here's a very can can-influenced look from Windsor.  It's very dramatic with a corset-like top, a jaw-dropping slit, and a beaded bodice.
London Dress, Windsor, $400

This dress from Jessica McClintock screams French romance!  The lacy, black bodice is such an expressive contrast to the silky tiers of pale blue ruffles.
Style # 53136, Jessica McClintock, $300

This dress is heavily-influenced by the cabaret - it's got a rich, vibrant red hue and tons of cascading ruffles that are shorter in the front and exquisitely long in the back.
Style # T-12597, Anna Scott, $358

I hope you find what you're looking for!  Have an amazing Prom and don't forget to send us pictures!  --Angel

Which Kind of Scent-sational Are You?

 

In search of a new scent for the big night? Try these luscious favorites, available at Sephora. --Kim

If you like exotic and spicy (think mandarin, vanilla, and orchid), try Tom Ford Black Orchid.

If you just adore sweet and floral (think watermelon, mandarin, and pink grapefruit), try Juicy Couture.

If you're looking for something sweet and tropical (think dark chocolate, pink frosting, and tahitian flower), try Vera Wang Princess.

Exclusive PromAdvice Themes!

Our celebrity stylist has pulled together exclusive Prom looks that range from deliciously sweet to decidedly glamorous. Click on the theme to see all the great dresses, plus find out how to create your total look!

Theme #1: English Tea Party

Theme #2: Sweet Shoppe

Theme #3: Hollywood Glamour

Theme #4: Green Goddess

Theme #5: Miss Pretty

Prom Advice Exclusive! Theme #3: Hollywood Glamour

Get ready for your close up because the next Featured Prom Theme is all about Old Hollywood!  Let Prom Advice be your personal celebrity stylist with three ultra-glamorous Prom outfits to give you that star quality for the big night. Welcome to Hollywood--the award for Best Dressed goes to you!  --Angel


Shining Star
Turn heads in a stunning, floor-skimming, beaded gown that sparkles brighter than your name in lights!

FIDM Merchandise Product Development student Natalie is truly brilliant in a Windsor dress ($400); shoes from Michael Antonio (not pictured); and vintage jewelry and gloves.

Spotlight on White
It's hard not to get noticed when your wearing gorgeous tiers of cascading white ruffles and a dramatic, black lace sash!

FIDM Fashion Design major Noelle is the epitome of elegance in a Jessica McClintock dress ($425); shoes from Michael Antonio (not pictured); and vintage jewelry.

Fade to Black
There is nothing more classically chic than a black sheath dress and this one is especially charming with pintucks and an open back.

Caitlyn, a FIDM Merchandise Marketing student, is undeniable glamorous in a dress from Windsor ($100); shoes by Delicious; and vintage jewelry.

Now check out 5 Fab Finds on Fashion Club for fabulous, red carpet-worthy accessories to complete your Prom look! 

And click here to find out what glamorous, Hollywood stars like Rachel Bilson, Hilary Swank, and Katie Holmes have in common.  HINT: They love FIDM grads!

America's Prom Queen

Don't forget to watch America's Prom Queen on Monday, March 17 at 9pm on ABC!  Hosted by the gorgeous Susie Castillo, the reality show follows ten lucky high schoolers chosen to live in an amazing mansion and compete each week in a Prom-related challenge.  Who will make the Prom Committee's cut to become America's Prom Queen?  Watch and find out!

Oh, and FYI, FIDM Fashion Design student Eduardo Reategui will be in the first episode helping out backstage!  --Angel

Ask Fashion Girl - Prom Edition

Dear Fashion Girl,

Our prom theme is the 20s - how can I go to Prom without dressing as  if I had a costume???
Before the theme I wanted to wear a blue-green dress. HELP!!

-Ana

Dear Ana,

The 1920s was a very glamorous era! The economy was booming (this was right before the stock market crash that launched the Great Depression) and people were generally happy, so the fashions of the time reflected that.

You can definitely look stylish without looking like you rented a costume, especially since so many designers draw inspiration from the 20s.  Look for dropped waists, beading, tiers and layers, and fringe. Skip anything voluminous - eveningwear in the 20s fell straight, lightly skimming over the body but not clinging too tightly to curves, like the dress Natalie Portman is wearing here. For accessories, T-strap heels are a must.  And don't forget to add long strands of pearls around your neck!  Have a great Prom and don't forget to send us pics!  --Angel

Here are a few dress examples to inspire you:

Jessica McClintock Dress ($78): Rosettes were huge in the 20s and lots of women pinned them on the shoulders or at their waist.

Sean Collection Sequin Corkscrew Hem Cocktail Dress ($266): The beading is so 20s and the corkscrew hem is a gorgeous interpretation of 1920s fringe.

Mary L Couture Shirred Charmeuse Gown ($278): This dress has everything you need to look like a 1920s socialite - a dropped waist, jewels and beading, and a drapey V-neck.

What Goes Around Comes Around 'Celeste' Dress ($488): 20s art deco is a major inspiration for fashion and this dress has it! Plus fringe at the bottom and the requisite beading!

Got a style dilemma? Fashion Girl can rescue you - just email her at FashionGirl@fidm.com!

Frock Around the Clock: Tips for Staying Energized

Here are our top three tips for staying energized for Prom! --Kim

1. Make sure you get enough sleep the night before prom—you'll need all your energy to dance the night away.

2. It's tempting to try and skip meals to lose weight before the prom. Don't do it! You'll feel much better (and be in a better mood!) if you eat three healthy meals a day.

3. Make sure your shoes are comfortable and that the heels aren't too high. A twisted or sprained ankle is the last thing you want to deal with on the big night.

Get Help With Prom From The Princess Project

   
If you live in the Bay Area of California, there's a fabulous organization that helps out high school girls who couldn't otherwise afford to attend Prom by furnishing them with a dress and the accessories to go with it at no charge. It's called The Princess Project, and March is the month they're distributing the dresses.

Visit The Princess Project site to find out when and where the dresses are being distributed. San Francisco, the East Bay, and Silicon Valley are the three areas for the dress giveaways.

To find out who qualifies to receive a dress, where to go, and what to expect at the dress giveaway events, click here.

Too old for Prom? Then volunteer!

Both men and women are needed, and women especially are needed at the giveaways. Contact volunteer@princessproject.org.

New or gently used, fashionable dresses are needed, so if you have one or many, contact the Princessproject.org and donate.

Closet fresh out of taffeta? Only $25 sends a girl to Prom, where she can make the memories every girl should have during Prom season. --Belissa

Ask Fashion Girl - Prom Edition

Dear Fashion Girl,

It's almost time for Prom and I have no idea what I'm going to wear! I'm a full-figured girl and I don't like showing my underarms.  What kind of dress is there left for me to wear? 

-Jennifer

Dear Jennifer,

Prom is such an exciting event and I know you’ll want to look your best!  Not hard to do because there are tons of dress options available for every body type.

Check out websites such as Sydney's Closet, Alight, and The Rose  Dress – all sites specialize in clothes for curvy girls and have gorgeous Prom dresses to choose from!  If you don't want to shop online you can gather ideas from  the sites and draw inspiration from them to take shopping with you!

To hide your underarms you can add a chic shrug or capelet to your look. If your sewing skills are up to par visit Modest Prom and learn how to make your own bolero or shrug. If shopping is more your specialty then head to Windsor to see their selection of silk, knit, and lace shrugs.  You may also find formal dresses that come with beaded jackets or sleeves, like the Galaxy Dress ($199) from Sydney's Closet (above left) or this Sweetheart Neckline Short Dress ($174) from Alight (above right). Plus, there are a ton of full-length options at The Rose Dress.  I fell in love with the so-romantic dress by IGIGI ($192), pictured left.  The black lace over the pink gown is absolutely enchanting, no?

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find the perfect dress right away.  It takes a while to find the right look no matter what your body type.  Just have fun with it and know that you are going to look amazing!  Think about Jennifer Hudson – how confident is she on the red carpet?!  Channel that confidence and you’ll look as stunning as a Hollywood starlet! --Angel                  

Get ready for your close-up with red carpet-worthy accessories that won't break the bank!  Check them out on 5 Fab Finds!

Dress Like A Movie Star For Prom!

Faviana specializes in creating special occasion dresses inspired by red carpet gowns and dresses worn in popular films. Above is their dress inspired by the much-talked-about number Keira Knightly wore in Atonement.

Below is a dress inspired by the one Enchanted star Amy Adams wore to the Academy Awards.

Since Enchanted was my favorite movie, I'd have to say that this is one of my favorite Faviana dresses.

The website has a store locator, as Faviana doesn't have an online store. --Belissa