With prom night being one of the most memorable moments in a teen’s life, we speak to Harrow-based Prom Dress Pro and mum of three, who has helped thousands of teenagers to find their perfect prom dress.
Michelle Levy, 53, founded Silhouette London Limited, now situated on 4 Merivale Road, Harrow, over 12 years ago. Here, Michelle shares her top tips to help young people and their parents/carers find that ideal prom dress for the big night.
Too soon you may say?… Michelle says; “Although many proms in the UK take place in the summer months, many young people start to find their prom dresses as early as the October half term of their prom school year but the most popular time to look is January or February. Myself and many other experts worldwide agree that 5 months before your prom is the ideal time to lock down your perfect prom dress.”
Michelle continues; “Starting your prom dress search early is the key to finding the perfect dress without the stress. Early shopping gives you access to the widest selection of styles, sizes, and colours – many of which sell out quickly as the season progresses and you also get the first choice of dress for your school, as many prom boutiques won’t sell the same dress twice to the same school. You also have the time to thoughtfully plan your entire prom look, from accessories to hair and makeup. It’s about making your dress shopping experience enjoyable and ensuring you feel your absolute best on prom night.”
Prom Dress Pro Shares Six Reasons Why You Should Start Looking for Your Prom Dress as early as January/February:
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Create a Mood Board for Clarity – Beginning your search early gives you time to build a mood board or Pinterest board. This lets you explore different styles, colours and fits, without feeling rushed. Having a visual guide helps you stay focused on what you truly want and minimises any potential confusion or stress when shopping. Plus, if you need to have discussions with family or friends about the price or style, having a clear visual can make those conversations easier and more productive. It also really helps the Prom Dress Boutique to understand your style and can really help pin down your perfect dress.
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More Options – Shopping early means you’ll have a wider selection to choose from. Many popular styles, sizes and colours tend to sell out quickly, especially as prom season approaches. Also, many dresses are custom ordered and Prom Designers often need at least 3-4 months to create the dress. By starting your search in January or February, you’ll have access to a broader range of dresses, making it easier to find the one that fits your style and personality.
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One Dress per School – Many Prom Boutiques won’t sell the same dress to the same school to ensure that every young prom attendee feels unique on their special night. By getting in early, you can ensure that you get maximum choice of a Prom Boutique’s selection, without any limitations.
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Exam Revision – Year 11 and Year 13 are of course all about Prom, but there is also the small matter of exams at the end of the year too! So, getting your dress early means saving time endlessly scrolling for your perfect dress, freeing up your time to focus on revision and smashing your exams. Knowing that you already have your perfect dress lined up, also takes the pressure off enabling a positive mindset for the rest of the school year.
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Avoid Last-Minute Stress – Waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed decisions, which can take the fun out of shopping. Shopping early gives you time to find the perfect dress, rather than settling for something ‘that’ll do’, because you’re running out of time. Avoid the stress of trying to find something last-minute that may not even be your style. You deserve to feel confident and excited about your dress, not anxious and overwhelmed.
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More Time for Accessories and Finishing Touches – Once you’ve secured your perfect prom dress early on, you’ll have more time to think about the finishing touches: accessories, shoes, hair and makeup. Whether you want to experiment with a bold look or go for something classic, you’ll have ample time to plan your entire prom look, ensuring everything comes together seamlessly for your big night.
Michelle opened the doors to Silhouette London back in November 2012, initially from the comfort of her own front room. This was the beginning of her 12-year journey into the world of fashion for young girls, tweens and teens.
Before starting her family, Michelle worked as a Solicitor in London and after her children were born, she decided to leave her legal career behind, however, once her kids started school, Michelle realised she was ready for a new challenge and whilst shopping for party dresses for her daughters, she was frustrated by the lack of stylish, affordable options that were appropriate for their age, she recalls; “Everything either felt too childish or too mature, and the prices were often unreasonably high. This led me identifying a gap in the market and so Silhouette London was launched to offer quality, well-priced party and prom clothes and accessories.”
Today, Silhouette London has grown into a local beloved brand, specialising in prom and party dresses. Michelle’s passion for fashion, combined with her desire to provide a personalised, supportive shopping experience, has helped thousands of young people find their perfect dress for special occasions.
Whether shopping online or in-person, Silhouette London offers a tailored experience to ensure both parents/carers and their children leave happy, ready to create lasting memories.
Next year, Silhouette London will be hosting a Prom Pop-Up Shop in Notting Hill near Portobello Market during February half-term 2025, offering a special opportunity to experience the dresses in person surrounded by all the eateries and fun that Notting Hill has to offer.
Michelle also raises money for a charity called Teens Unite that supports teenagers and young people with cancer, Michelle said; “I raise the money by selling Pre-Loved dresses on our website and in store. It’s a two pronged scheme helping us be more sustainable, whilst raising money for a great cause.”
For more information about Silhouette London or to book an appointment, please visit the website here or email: [email protected].