High School senior provides students dress clothes for prom at no cost in Warrenton pop-up shop
For many people, prom night is one to remember. Mackenzie Stallings found some people at Warren County Early College High School had to sit out because the cost of buying dress clothes was too expensive. She found a solution.
Her idea was a pop-up shop on Main Street in Warrenton. The County Couture is inside the Taylor Building at 130 N. Main Street. It is a place where anyone can shop prom or formal dresses, suits and accessories for free.
Stallings has gathered several hundred items from the community.
"We got stuff from Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina,” Stallings said.
The idea started out as a senior project. In addition to a paper, Stallings said she had to complete a project to fulfill the requirement. She has been working on the idea since last year.
"A lot of my friends could not go [to prom] because they could not afford the prom ticket or their prom outfit," she said. "I was like, at least I could cover one of those things,” Stallings said.
Stallings said she will not turn anyone away, even if they don’t have a formal coming up.
"It makes me happy. It’s so cool to see their eyes light up when they see their dress or their suit. It brings me so much joy that I can bring joy to the community," she said.
Stallings said some people are hesitant when they start to shop around. Her goal is that everyone leaves with confidence.
"I’ve struggled a lot with like confidence and my self-image. I hope that this project can inspire people and give them confidence to go out there and be themselves," she said.
Stallings has many sizes, colors and fits in her collection.
She said it is all possible because of her community, and she is happy to give back.
"I never in my wildest dreams would have expected that I would get as much support," she said.
The County Couture will be open for the following dates:
- Saturday, Feb. 10, 2-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Feb. 11, 1-4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m.
- Monday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 24, 2-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Feb.25, 1-4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 27, 6-8 p.m.
Stallings said she's also continuing to take donations during the shop’s hours. You can reach her with questions at mackenzie.stallings26@gmail.com.
