Out of the Closet
Abby's Closet provides prom gowns to high school girls who may not be able to afford their own.
The Wait At the Oregon Convention Center girls wait to be let into the shopping area. There are no brothers, no boyfriends, and no dads allowed in the inner dress sanctum.
View Slideshow »The Inspiration Tickets are first come, first serve, and some of these young ladies have been up since before dawn to drive into Portland and wait in line. Also in the waiting area: Abby’s dress, the original prom gown that inspired the charity.
View Slideshow »The Racks Mothers, daughters, aunts, friends, prom-goers, and volunteers browse through racks of dresses that are divided by size, 0-26, and grouped by color.
View Slideshow »The Dates Priscilla Seiler, 18, a senior at Clackamas High School, is going to three proms this year. She found a black dress and a pink rhinestone bag at Abby’s Closet. She also holds three coupons for Mr. Formal tux rentals, which were available at the event.
View Slideshow »The Hair Students from the Aveda Institute aree on hand to demonstrate some proper up-dos.
View Slideshow »The Dresses From left: ‘I usually wear a lot of green because of my hair,’ says Becky Titchnell, 18. This one was the winner, after approval from the other young women in the communal changing rooms. Becky is a senior at Wilson High School.
Leah Stratton, 17, is a senior at Cascade Locks High School. She and her mother woke up at 5 am to drive to the Abby’s Closet event. Leah got a prom dress from Abby’s Closet last year, and plans to re-donate her dresses back to the organization. A free dress makes a difference, Leah she says. Neither she nor her mother are working right now.
View Slideshow »The Dresses From left: Ciara Lynn, 18, a senior at Southridge High School in Beaverton poses in her newly picked prom gown. ‘Oh my gosh, that’s so cute!’ a friend called out.
Courtney Harris, 18, is a senior at South Wasco County High School, in Maupin. There are 15 students in her graduating class, 8 of them are girls. Six of those senior girls were at Abby’s Closet finding dresses. Courtney is going to her dance without a date. ’I’ve learned that solo is more fun, you’re not obligated to dance with them,’ she said.
Over the weekend of April 4-5, high school girls descended on the Oregon Convention Center to find their perfect prom gowns at Abby’s Closet. Now in its fifth year, the charity event collects donated prom gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and other fancy frocks to be given away free to young women who may have difficulty affording their own.
This year about 1,600 girls found dresses among the more than 4,500 that were donated (leftovers will be packed away for next year’s event). Abby’s Closet is open to any young woman with a valid high school I.D.
