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Dress it Forward, a non-profit organisation (NPO) in Fish Hoek, plays an integral part in making dreams come true for matriculants on the Cape Flats, gifting pre-loved evening gowns and suits to those without the financial means to purchase dresses.
In an interview with People’s Post, Dress it Forward director Sherri Bell said the NPO started 12 years ago after noting that some learners could not afford farewell dresses.
“I used to work at Fish Hoek High School, and at that time, a few kids approached me to say they did not have a gown for their matric farewell.”
Since then, the initiative has grown from Cape Town to the United Kingdom (UK), with hundreds of pre-loved dresses donated to make matric farewell dreams come true.
“We started an NPO in the UK and Cape Town,” Bell said, “and got to the stage where we have our own staff members.
“The smart rich schools in the UK donate dresses, and while it is always a challenge for [them] to get here due to the costs of freight, we find someone travelling to Cape Town to bring it over.”
Pre-loved dresses from adults and teens locally and abroad find their way to the Dress it Forward charity shop at 33 Kommetjie Road, Fish Hoek, where matrics have the chance to pick their gown at no cost.
“We receive tons of dresses donated, locally and abroad,” said Bell.
In the UK, regular fund-raisers are organised to contribute towards the NPO’s initiative.
“Around R100 000 was raised during pub quizzes recently, and each year the Bath Marathon takes place, in which many people run in their prom dresses and then donate the outfits.”
Last year alone, 650 dresses were gifted to local matrics with “no strings attached” and in February this year, 81 dresses were donated from Scarlett Fashions, a boutique in Somerset West.
Most dresses are donated to schools and learners in impoverished areas such as Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Lavender Hill, Steenberg and the Cape Flats.
“For some learners, reaching Grade 12 is a very big deal, and sometimes the learner is the first generation to reach matric,” explained Bell.
“In many cases, learners are too shy that they can’t afford a dress for their matric farewell.”
With no financial obligations on parents and learners, the initiative not only assists cash-strapped parents but boosts the self-confidence of the learners.
“Some girls become overwhelmed when they see 500 dresses in our charity shop,” she added, “and they don’t know where to start.
“But when they find their dresses, they beam from ear to ear, and at first they don’t actually believe that the dress belongs to them . . . a look of disbelief comes over their face.
“We see a completely different child leave, and it builds their confidence and self-esteem.”
Bell encourages matriculants to visit the charity shop and “say yes to the dress” as early as possible.
“Most matric dances are in September, so we encourage girls to come in as early as possible, during the year to choose their dresses.
“If there is a pair of shoes or handbag to go with the outfit, they get to choose their entire outfit for free.”
