Promapalooza in Lombard offers 'one-stop shop'
High-schoolers preparing for prom can find everything they need in downtown Lombard this coming weekend during a new event called Promapalooza.
The idea formed about a month ago when Catrina Kagel, owner of The Ladies Room Consignment Boutique, was having a casual conversation with Lombard Town Centre Executive Director Sarah Richardt.
"We're always discussing the possibility of my store moving more into the downtown area," Kagel said. "She thought it would be fun to do a pop-up dress shop."
"We have the space that girls can come and try on dresses together and make it more of a social event," Richardt said of the Lombard Town Centre office at 6 S. Park Ave.
The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Guests should start at Lombard Town Centre, where they can pick up a "prom passport" card that will qualify them for one of three raffles for a complete prom makeover.
"The whole point of this event is to get people familiar with our downtown area," Kagel said, adding that the passport will require guests to get signatures from several businesses before it can be submitted in the raffle.
Dresses from the Ladies Room range from $39 to $279. The most expensive dresses, Kagel said, are often styles that can still be found in stores, usually for $500 or more. The lower-priced dresses are more simple, but can be turned into "something special, unique to you."
"People love the idea," she said, adding that buying a dress on consignment helps a girl shopping on a budget and a girl who is trying to earn some cash by selling her old dress.
Aside from Kagel's offerings at the Lombard Town Centre office, girls are encouraged to stop by her shop at 410 S. Main St., and Jasmine Galleria, 2840 S. Highland Ave, which also will have dresses on display.
Student models will be strolling around during the event, wearing dresses from the Ladies Room and Jasmine and showcasing hair styles from some of the participating salons.
The salons will have information available about their hair and makeup services next door, at DRYtini. Other participants include Adored, Hair Experts, Exposed, Fringe, Esquire Barber Shop, Feel Good Hair and Younique.
Across the street, Randall Bullen photography will be open and welcoming guests to discuss photo options for prom or senior portraits.
Seamstress Laura Quené will be on hand to do alterations and Shirley Swanson, a representative for Essential Bodywear, can provide suggestions for undergarments.
Information from Phillip's Flowers, Potted Petals and GQ Formalwear of Elmhurst and Schaumburg will be available too.
"They basically find out everything for the prom in one location," Richardt said.
Owners of unwanted wedding, bridesmaid, prom or other formal dresses in white, cream or pastel colors are welcome to bring their gowns to the event, Kagel said.
The dresses, she said, are being collected by the Lombard Lilac Juniorettes, a teen service group. They will later be given to Angel Babies, an organization that turns the donations into gowns for babies who have passed away. Richardt said she hopes this is the first of many collaborative events among the downtown businesses focused on a specific industry.
"It's great that they are doing this themselves and it just took Town Centre to contact everybody," Richardt said. "They're running with it."