NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Over the past 12 years, Operation PROM has been dressing students across Westchester County, New York, and 9 other states with beautiful Prom attire for free, so that no student experiencing financial stress would have to worry about not attending their Prom. Now, the organization is gearing up for a new program they will provide to children in our community – “Fashion U”. Fashion U will offer fashion classes for kids and teenagers interested in fashion design, merchandising and styling. Founded by Noel D’Allacco, President of Operation PROM, with experienced faculty from the fashion industry.
Last February, Noel lost her mentor, fashion designer Denise Proctor. Denise was the owner of the Westchester Fashion Academy for Children in White Plains. The two had worked on several projects together, including “Design Wars” at The Westchester Mall. “Denise was an inspiration, and she helped me a lot when I started Operation PROM,” said D’Allacco. “Fashion is an art, and when Denise passed the community lost a beautiful artist”.
Fashion U’s Summer Camp 2016 will offer everything from weekly sessions of sewing, sketching, design, merchandising, styling, jewelry making and cosmetics creation. A portion of the weekly camp tuition will be donated to Operation PROM, and each week a scholarship for a free camp session will be awarded in Denise’s name.
The faculty and staff of Fashion U are experienced fashion industry professionals including Stacy Scibelli, the Curriculum Chair for Fashion Design and Technology at Westchester Community College, and Samantha Levine, the Owner and Creative Director of Auburn Jewelry in Chappaqua. Guest speakers from the fashion world include NY Times Best Selling Author and Today Show Fashion Correspondent, Jene Luciani. Fashion partners of the program include famous designer brands like Adrianna Papell.
Children between the ages of 8-15 are eligible for Fashion U’s Summer Camp at 524 North Avenue in New Rochelle. Weekly course offerings start July 11th and run through August 19th. A final Fashion Showcase will take place at the end of the summer at The Westchester Mall, where students can display their work.
