May 16, 2012
Prom changes with the years A look back at teacher’s past experiences highlights the differences in Prom today
Johnson files chapter 11 The economy definitely takes a toll on all sorts of businesses. Recently, Betsey Johnson clothing has had to file for bankruptcy. Do not worry fashionistas, she is only closing her high-end boutiques since they have not been as profitable. Sixty three stores are closing in a few weeks and approximately 350 workers are going to lose their jobs. Betsey Johnson will continue to have runway shows and is even coming out with her own reality show sometime later this year. Steve Madden has taken a big part to keep the company alive since Madden LLC bought the company in August 2010. They have emphasized that the Betsey Johnson Collection will now be moderately priced and sold at Macy’s Inc. and other retailers. Soon all of the spring line will be moderately priced and the remainder will be highend with a major reduction in price. The company was auctioned off on May 8 to get more protection behind it in terms of money. Johnson is still moving ahead and despite all this, she will release a new fragrance called Too Too Pretty, and will soon develop another fragrance later this year. There is a Betsey Johnson store in Tysons Galleria, Georgetown and other high end malls, so if you want to get a peek before the doors close, go ahead and do so. I will say it is one of my favorite stores, particularly because it has lots of pink!
By Gaby Camilli Lifestyles Editor
As the teachers reminisce about their Prom memories, it is evident that Prom is much more overplayed today. The past month at AHS has been filled with bouquets of flowers, decorated cars, orchestras playing love songs, posters and romantic speeches over the loud speakers-all in the hopes of asking a date to Prom in a cool, creative way. “Back then, no one made such a production out of asking people to Prom,” guidance counselor Carrie Schaefer said. “We all just said, ‘do you want to go to prom with me?’ That’s it. No fuss, no pressure.” This pattern of going all out to invite someone to Prom is more of a recent fad. It was a much more
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casual process several years ago. “I asked my date to Prom,” history teacher Kellie Burke said. “He was a friend from another school that I worked with, and I think I did something cool like IM him.” Not only was the invite to Prom nonchalant and different in the past, but the style of clothing that people wore has changed greatly. The outfits for Prom were much less dressy and underplayed in the past. Dresses that were long, solid-colored, silk and spaghetti strap were the common style among Prom dresses. There was not as much sequence, textures, cutouts, lace and bright prints on dresses back then. Today, dresses are usually floor length, standout dresses. Girls also have shoes and a bag that go with the color scheme of their dress. “I don’t think I spent over $100 on either of my dresses,” Schaefer said. “The fashion for Prom dresses back then wasn’t really crazy, outlandish or extravagant. Most people in my school wore a knee length or tea length dress, not full on gowns like they do now. For the senior ball, I wore a simple
ancing through the ecades
black dress. Simple and classy is what most people went for back in the day.” With a change of style has also come a change of price. Girls going to Prom spend hundreds of dollars on their dress alone. The flashy, attention-grabbing dresses that are the common style for Prom today is not cheap. “I paid for half of my dress, so I only spent a little over 200 dollars, but the total of the dress was $450,” senior Natalie Ford said. Perhaps teenagers’ outlook on Prom has changed because of Hollywood movies playing it up, or maybe it is because AHS only has a senior prom; therefore it is more special to the students. “[Prom] was underwhelming,” Burke said. “I’m glad I went but it certainly was not the highlight of my senior year. I think I enjoyed the getting ready part more.”
teachers share photos from their Prom
COURTESY OF CARRIE SHAEFER
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Lifestyles
Counselor Carrie Shaefer poses before her 1993 senior ball wearing a classy black dress of which she paid under $100. Shaefer paired the black with silver jewelry.
Top websites to buy prom dresses: COURTESY OF HASSAN MIMS
www.promgirl.com www.simplydresses.com www.lulus.com www.camillelavie.com www.lafemmefashion.com www.windsorstore.com
Top department stores:
COURTESY OF WHITNEY DUNNING
Rent a prom dress:
COURTESY OF STEPHANIE GUFFEY
Nordstrom Macy’s Sears Lord and Taylor Bloomingdale’s
English teacher Stephanie Guffey wore a white, floral printed silky textured floor length dress. Her date sported a black tux and blue vest to their 2000 Prom.
History and Psychology teacher Whitney Dunning bought her zebra-print dress herself from Nordstrom with her money from working at Abercrombie and lifeguarding. Her Prom was in 2002.
www.renttherunway.com is a website where designer dresses and accessories can be rented for four or eight days and mailed back in a prepaid package when done. This website provides the luxury style of fashionable dresses, without having to spend a huge amount on something that will likely be worn only once.
COURTESY OF JOHN NEMETH
Hassan Mims is pictured at his 1995 Suitland High School Prom wearing a black tuxedo with a daring patterned vest with a pocket square.
History teacher John Nemeth stands in his pre-Prom picture with his white tux in 1963.
Donate used prom dresses:
Tricia Kapuscinski wore a pale yellow thin strapped dress paired with long while gloves and feather boa. Her date matched with a yellow boutineer in 2000.
Spanish teacher Debbie Estes attended her 1980 Senior Prom wearing a long white dress with lace trim. She accessorized with classic red lipstick and a pearl necklace.
COURTESY OF KELLIE BURKE
On your smartphone, scan this code using the application “QR Code” to read about a discount makeup brand
COURTESY OF DEBBIE ESTES
E.l.f. makeup products
COURTESY OF TRICIA KAPUSCINSKI
Donatemydress.org is an organization that puts together local dress drives across the US. Girls are encouraged to donate gently worn special occasion and prom dresses.
History and government teacher Kellie Burke poses for her 2001 Prom picture. Burke’s pale blue, glittery spaghetti strap dress was simple yet elegant as was her up-do hairstyle.