A mum who moved from legal cases to ballgowns has given her top tips for finding the perfect prom dress.
Michelle Levy, 53, founded Silhouette London Limited more than 12 years ago and has since helped thousands of teenagers find their ideal prom outfits.
The mum-of-three, who previously worked as a solicitor in London, said: “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, but the most popular time to look is January or February.
“Myself and many other experts worldwide agree that five months before your prom is the ideal time to lock down your perfect prom dress.”
The Harrow-based ‘prom dress pro’ believes that starting the search early is vital.
Michelle shows one of her dresses (Image: Michelle Levy)
Ms Levy said: “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.”
Ms Levy moved into fashion after growing frustrated with the lack of stylish, affordable options for her daughters.
She said: “Everything either felt too childish or too mature, and the prices were often unreasonably high.
“This led me to identify a gap in the market and so Silhouette London was launched to offer quality, well-priced party and prom clothes and accessories.”
Silhouette London specialises in prom and party dresses, and Ms Levy’s commitment to providing a personalised shopping experience has helped thousands of young people find their perfect dress.
Next year, Silhouette London will host a Prom Pop-Up Shop in Notting Hill, near Portobello Market, during the February half-term. This will offer a unique opportunity to experience the dresses in person.
Ms Levy also raises money for a charity called Teens Unite, which supports teenagers and young people with cancer.
She said: “I raise the money by selling pre-loved dresses on our website and in store.
“It’s a two-pronged scheme helping us to be more sustainable while raising money for a great cause.”