Main Line Mom Launches Prom Closet For Local Teens

by Melissa Jacobs

Lead photo: Charmion Rosen and her kids at Great Valley Community Organization. Photo by Main Line Tonight

Prom dresses can have sparkle and sequins … and hefty price tags. Add heels, jewelry, glam squads, limos or party buses and prom tickets, and proms can be super expensive. Is it worth the money for one night of teenage fun? Sure. But if you don’t have to blow the budget on a dress, why would you?

Hence, the rise of “prom closets” that offer free or low-cost dresses that, in most cases, have been worn only once. Many nonprofits organize prom closets – including The Wardrobe’s  Wings For Success location in the Exton Mall – but Charmion Rosen thought that Malvern needed its own.

• April 3, students only, Great Valley High School
• April 5, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Great Valley Community Organization
• April 6, 10 am – 2 pm, Great Valley Community Organization

“People may not realize that there are families in need throughout the Malvern area,” said Rosen, who lives in Malvern with her children. “Here, and in other local towns, there are families struggling financially and prom is a big expense for them.”

So, Rosen set about creating a prom closet for local teens via her nonprofit A Blessing Hand Up. Rosen activated her network and, with the help of local Facebook groups, received a slew of donations. More than 200 gently-worn dresses, plus jewelry and shoes, and several suits were donated by individuals and luxury shops like Occasions Boutique, one of the Main Line’s most glamorous stores. “Occasions was so generous and the dresses the store donated are amazing,” Rosen said.

The dresses, suits, shoes and accessories are available for free to local teens at three events. From long, flowing gowns to short, fitted dresses, this prom closet has a variety of styles in sizes from extra small to extra-large. “I love this one,” said Ashley D., who emerged from a fitting room holding a pale pink dress with a sweetheart neckline. An experienced vintage shopper, Ashley heard about the event from her mom, who saw it posted in a Malvern Facebook group. “I’d like the skirt to be shorter, so I’ll get it tailored. That’s a lot less expensive than buying a brand new dress. And I can guarantee that no one else will be wearing this at my prom.”

Clothes and accessories aren’t the only things available at the events. Shops from Wayne to Paoli donated gift cards and gift baskets for an amazing raffle. At $1 per ticket, the raffle is an inexpensive way for students to win items and experiences from hair stylists like Jonessa Williams, Mentality, Maxima Hair Design and Prive Salon & Spa, Salon 3 East, Englund’s and Varani Tux, Baja Beach Tan Club and Mother Tucker Tans, Love Nails and Vino Nails, and a slew of eateries, including Scoops N’ Smiles, Poseidon, Malvern Buttery, Cedar Hollow Inn and Clay’s Bakery.

Rosen organized all of this herself with the help of a few volunteers. It was quite an undertaking, but Rosen said that response was overwhelming. “I’m so grateful to everyone and every business that donated,” she said. “People responded right away and were very generous.”

That’s because the idea of prom holds a magical place in people’s hearts. “I didn’t even go to my prom, but I want to make it special for these kids,” Rosen said. She grew up in Malvern as one of four kids adopted by the Rosen family. Although they had the means, Rosen said she didn’t attend her Great Valley High School prom for a variety of reasons. “So now I get to live vicariously through every one else and it’s great.”

A Blessing Hand Up, Rosen’s nonprofit, has organized other grassroots projects to help the Malvern community. Rosen said that she directs her efforts towards needs that touch her heart, and A Blessing Hand Up has helped smooth some of the challenges in her own life. “It helps me to help other people,” she said. “To think that all of these teenagers will be able to wear outfits they love to prom makes me happy.”

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For more information, visit Charmion Rosen’s Facebook page. Great Valley Community Organization is located at 51 N. Bacton Hill Road in Malvern.

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