The Fashion Floor of the Hope Chest Thrift Boutique offering gently used prom dresses

PINE ISLAND — The non-profit Hope Chest Thrift Boutique in Pine Island opened its new Fashion Floor Saturday, March 25, specializing in gently used prom, formal wear, party dresses and men’s suits just in time for prom season.
“There was a big turnout as refreshments were served and girls and their mom’s shopped for early prom dresses," director Sharon Linnea. "There were a lot of happy mothers and daughters.”
'Warwick's commitment' to conserveWarwick High School juniors Olivia O’Conner and Morgan Sirota introduced the idea of the community working together to recycle the gently used gowns.
The young women, along with the expertise of New York City designer and stylist Janice Brigante, who is volunteering her services to Hope Chest, are offering special-event clothing at a fraction of their original cost. They also are offering the community a unique opportunity to repurpose these garments.
“Many of these beautiful dresses have only been worn once or twice," Brigante said. "Some of them can even be customized with a few minor changes to fit individual taste and sizes and make use of their already unique designs. This is in keeping with Warwick’s commitment to reuse, recycle and repurpose things instead of discarding them.”
In addition to prom-wear was formal wear for women of all ages and size categories, shoes, accessories and men’s suits.
The Fashion Floor will be open every Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. And beginning next week, it will be open Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Prices range from $10 to $30 and will benefit the Clothing Closet, Warwick’s free clothing bank.
The Hope Chest is asking the community for donations of gently used clothing and party-wear on hangers to be dropped at the Clothing Closet in Pine Island as well as Warwick Valley High School.
Shoes, purses, and wraps are also welcomed.
Essential informationHope Chest and Treasure Chest proceeds go to support the Clothing Closet, a clothing bank which has distributed more than $200,000 worth of free clothing to local families in need.
Hope Chest Thrift Boutique, Treasure Chest Gift Shop and Clothing Closet are located at the former Pine Island Elementary School at 20 Schoolhouse Road in Pine Island.
They are open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. for shoppers, those in need and for donation drop-offs.
For more information or to donate, email ClothingClosetvisitWarwickHopeChest@gmail.com or visit online at www.clothingcloset.org.
For more information about the Janice Brigante Design Studio in Warwick, visit www.janicebrigante.com.