The Flawless Boutique, a brand new resource available to students, is being brought to Northwood by school social worker Ashley McNeil and school counselor Telisa Hunter. The boutique is meant to provide prom attire and accessories to students throughout Chatham County who may not have the financial means to splurge on a new dress or suit. The Flawless Boutique will be open for business for the next month in mobile five beside the football field.
“It’s [going to] be open Feb. 17 and Mar. 17,” Hunter said. “They’re both work days so kids are not at school, but if a student does want to participate, they can set up an appointment with one of us as well, on another day.”
As prom season is quickly approaching, the hunt for fashionable formal attire will soon be a hot topic within the student body. Flawless Boutique will carry apparel for students at no charge. Prom dresses, suits, dress shirts and pants, white T-shirts, ties, men’s and women’s shoes, purses and jewelry will all be available. Students do not need to return anything; they may keep all clothes and accessories.
Because this event is new for Northwood, Hunter and McNeil had to do a lot of work in order to get the boutique up and running. Last year, the Chatham County Department of Social Services (DSS) put together a similar opportunity, but Hunter states that it was inaccessible to Northwood students because it was held too close to the date of the prom. The DSS donated their leftover resources to use in Northwood’s boutique this year, which McNeil and Hunter used as a base to start the project.
“The PTA thrift store donated the racks, so that was an awesome part—we needed those,” McNeil said. “Second Bloom also donated a large amount of items as well. The other parts we have gotten from staff members here [and] other community partners.”
Hunter added that some of the UNC-Chapel Hill sorority and fraternity members also donated items to the boutique.
The boutique has only been open for a brief time, but McNeil and Hunter already have plans for future projects.
“We’d like to actually expand, in the following years, maybe do hair and makeup, alterations..” Hunter said. “We’re hoping to do more [in the future], but this is the first year [the boutique is] getting off the ground.”
Prom will be held at the end of April, so students can give Flawless Boutique a chance if they are looking for formal wear that won’t break the bank.
For those who wish to set an appointment to visit the Flawless Boutique outside of the set days, Hunter’s email is thunter@chatham.k12.nc.us, and McNeil’s is ahudson@chatham.k12.nc.us. Students may also stop by Student Services to meet with either of them.
