Dress for Success event tonight

January 23, 2014

Also see related story here.

LUDINGTON — Local businesses have come together to create a free public event for anyone looking for a job or an advancement and needing help standing out from the crowd. The Dress for Success fashion show will be held tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts.

Attendees will be able to view business casual and professional attire from nine local retail businesses. The clothes will represent a variety of different price points and style options. Involved businesses include The Cedar Chest Consignment Shoppe, Maurice’s, Goodwill Industries, Yada Yada Resale Shop, St. Simon’s Bargain Center, Salvation Army Thrift Store and Wal-Mart, all of Ludington; Pandora’s Box of Baldwin;,Vintage Rose Resale Shoppe of Hart and the former Beyond the Door in Scottville.

“This is a great opportunity for us to show people that what they wear to work can be fun and still reflect their personality,” said Natalie Wroble of  The Cedar Chest Consignment Shoppe.  “We have a lot of apparel available at a great price.”

In addition, professional styles for hair and make-up will be demonstrated by the Polished Parlor salon of Ludington as they will style each of the women models prior to the show. “Hair styles and make-up can be almost as influential as clothing when presenting a professional image” said Laura Gauthier from Michigan Works West Central.

Many local community members have donated gently used business casual and professional attire for this event and following the fashion show, that clothing will be available for free to attendees.  Anyone interested will receive tickets good for two articles of clothing.  There will also be personal shoppers available for fittings and advice on size, color and style. Tips on interviewing and local job search information will also be available.  Donated refreshments from local businesses will be enjoyed by attendees while they speak with our area business owner participants about any fashion questions they may have. Businesses that are providing refreshments are: Best Choice Markets, Big Apple Bagels, Country View Bakery, and McDonalds Bakery.

“We kept hearing from local businesses that people were not going to their interview dressed appropriately,” said Rose Rangel, agricultural employment specialist at Workforce Development Agency.  “We want people with great qualities and skills to be able to get the job that they want and not have their attire be in the way of that.”

Coordination of this event is by Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce, Ludington Area Center for the Arts, Michigan Works West Central, Telamon Corporation, West Shore Community College and  Women’s Resource Center, West Shore Educational Service District, and Workforce Development Agency/State of Michigan.

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