It’s that time of the year when high school students think about who they will ask to prom.
Of course, prom has become quite the production these days, and can be costly. That’s why one Metro Detroit woman started the Sparkle Network to give away prom dresses to high school juniors and seniors.
Moe Lietz started the Sparkle Network 10 years ago. After seeing its growth, she wanted to help make the prom experience more affordable.
“I helped a friend with her daughter, and that’s when I really saw how the price had just blown up -- and it was crazy expensive,” Lietz said.
The average cost of a prom dress now averages around $450-$550, according to Lietz. But it’s more than just the dress: Many worry about paying for their nails, hair, makeup, and more.
“It’s even the ticket to attend prom” that’s costly for some, Lietz said.
Through the Sparkle Network, Lietz collects new or like-new prom dresses throughout the year to give away during prom season. She says she has about 1,000 dresses that are stored in boxes throughout the year.
Then, this time of the year, she starts up her prom closet project tour, traveling all around Metro Detroit to bring the goods to the high schoolers.
“I literally travel every day,” Lietz said.
She sets up shop at local businesses while teens who have signed up for an appointment come in individually with their parents to have their fairytale try-on experience. The teens get a dress, jewelry, purses, even scarves so they can have that night to remember, feeling beautiful in a unique prom dress.
“For quite a few years, it was the moms [who] cried, especially for seniors, because it’s the last dress before their wedding dress,” Lietz said. “The last few years, I’ll have to say it’s more of the kids crying, because they didn’t think he could go ... the money was standing in the way.”
Lietz says she travels all over, going from Downriver to farther north in Macomb County.
Lietz will be in the Troy area this weekend, but appointments for that location have already been booked. She is, however, heading to Rochester next week.
Click here to sign up for an appointment, and to find out where the prom closet tour is heading.