A student started a one-day dress donation drive to promote building confidence and body positivity in high school girls.
Maddie Louder, entertainment business junior, said the idea began in July.
“I am big advocate for body positivity because I struggled with being confident in my body growing up,” Louder said. “I want to help girls find their confidence and voice. An area I saw girls struggling in was feeling comfortable in what they wear.”
Louder said the drive, “Dreams with Seams,” is a dress drive for high school girls who may not be able to afford a prom dress or struggle with finding the confidence to go.
“I want to celebrate body positivity by helping girls find a dress that brings their inner beauty out,” Louder said.
Louder said many people doubted that she would be able to pull off the event by herself.
“I find that the people that make the biggest impact in this world are the ones that are crazy enough to just go for it,” Louder said. “So I was like, ‘you know what? I’m going to do this.’”
Louder said 31 dresses have been donated so far. Her goal is to have at least 100 dresses donated by the second week of January.
“I know there are many students that go home over Thanksgiving and Christmas break, so they will be able to bring their old prom dresses,” Louder said. “I mean, how many times do you actually wear a prom dress? It’s usually a one-and-done deal, so why not give it to someone else who can get a lot of use and confidence for themselves out of it?”
Louder said the process of selecting the girls is dependent on how many and what size dresses are donated.
“The great thing about women is that we all come in different shapes and sizes, and so do dresses. If I only have 10 dresses in a size two, it limits how many girls I can bring in to pick out dresses. I try to be as inclusive as possible,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a short or long dress, as long as it’s a formal dress and you can wear it to a dressy event, it’s welcome.”
Louder said the girls not only get to pick out dresses, but they will also be partnered with a volunteer stylist that will help do their hair, makeup and nails.
“The stylist will also give them words of affirmation and make them feel special,” Louder said. “They should feel a whole transformation of self, and so beautiful in their own skin.”
Dreams with Seams dress drive is at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 24. Clara Foster, dance junior, will take photos of the event.
“It’s an incredible event and message, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Foster said. “I wish it had been around when I was in high school.”
Louder said the biggest ways for students to get involved is to spread the word, volunteer and donate dresses. Students can call Louder at 636-795-7762 for more details about donating or volunteering at the event.
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