Making young girls’ dreams come true
Clarke is also appealing to schools to get in touch with her should it have learners that could benefit from the project.
A DURBAN North thrift store owner with a passion for helping others has made a space available for the Princess Project at her home store in the area.
Rhanda Clarke, who’s always had an interest in circular fashion, said she often received evening dresses from clients to sell only to end up as dead stock in the end.
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“I donated evening wear to a local school for the learners to use for their matric dance last year and thought it would be great to do this on a more regular basis and offer this service to more schools and learners throughout Durban,” said Clarke.
She then came across the Princess Project, which supplies matric dance dresses and accessories for under-resourced learners on their special night, and decided to get in touch Erica Pienaar who started the initiative in Cape Town in 2006. There are now over 32 branches in the country.
“There are many young girls who can’t go to their matric dance because they can’t afford to, so they miss out on what’s probably one of the most memorable moments in their life. Now with the Princess Project having a branch here in Durban, a lot more young women will have the opportunity to feel like a princess,” said Clarke.
In order to make their dream a reality, Clarke is calling on the help of the community to donate their evening dresses towards the project. Other items such as shoes and accessories and anything else that may complement the outfit, are also welcome.
“Although the dress is the most important, donations of shoes and accessories can also be donated with the garment. Dresses and shoes of any size and style cane be donated,” she said.
The one condition is that you treat the dresses with care and return it in the same condition so that another ‘princess’ is able to wear it to her matric dance.
“If there are educators who know of young girls who need a dress and accessories to attend their dance, they can contact me and make an appointment to meet,” she said.
Pienaar, who heads the project said she was excited to have a branch in Durban again.
“I’m very excited to have a branch in Durban again. There is so much need out there and to be able help these young women makes me very happy,” she said.
To get in touch with Clarke, call or WhatsApp 076 888 7625 or email thedressshopdurban@gmail.com
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