How a Prom Dress Designer in New York Fashion Week Shows

When it comes to finding the fresh new faces of the season, you can always count on the Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wangs of the New York Fashion Week. But there's one designer who seems to have a knack for tapping girls just before they hit it out of the ballpark, and it's not the household name you might expect. Sherri Hill is a Texas-based fashion designer who happens to be New York Fashion Week's resident queen of pageant gowns and prom dresses. And, in her a six years of showing here she has quietly helped launch the runway careers of now mega-models like Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, Grace Elizabeth and Delilah Belle Hamlin. It is Hill's showroom, after all, that acts as a centerpiece for a 2011 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, where Kim Kardashian and Jenner take Manhattan to determine if Jenner's modeling dreams are worth pursuing (turns out, they were). Jenner, who made her first appearance this week at Tom Ford on Wednesday night, would go on to walk in Hill's debut show at New York Fashion Week, which also marked her own runway debut. Two years later, she walked the runway again, this time alongside little sister Kylie, a fashion week ubiquitor in her own right these days. Ahead of her Spring 2018 show, which Hill describes as "fun, fresh, and feminine," the designer talks about casting some very famous faces, what she looks for in a model, and the importance of a pretty front row.

How big of a part does casting play into your shows?

Casting is the key. You need girls who exude confidence and can feel the clothes. You can tell by the way she moves if she loves it or doesn't love it, and that is very importing.

What makes a girl stand out to you when she walks into the casting?

There is that confidence, and she makes you feel like she wants to be there. We're not interested in girls that look bored or miserable.

You've cast all of these girls who have gone on to be major models, including Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, and Grace Elizabeth. When they walk in, can you tell that they are going to be stars?

Yes, to a certain extent, but then there are other girls that also are powerful. I think a lot of the success for the girls that you mentioned is that they are not just pretty, but they are bright and they have a work ethic. That says a lot about them. I doubt that any of them are ever late for a casting or show. They have their act together.

How did you cast both Kendall and Kylie in your 2013 show?

It was kind of by accident. My daughter was in L.A. and somehow she met Kim [Kardashian] or something—I don't really know, to tell you the truth, but we ended up hiring Kendall for a shoot and Kylie came along for fun. It was Kendall's first shoot ever and she was nervous, but they were delightful. Just such nice girls.

Do you have any memories from the first time you worked with them?

Our first show was actually at Trump Tower in the foyer of the building, which seems so strange to me now. We didn't have real dressing rooms or real anything, so it was not necessarily a typical venue, but the girls handled it like troopers. I appreciate that, especially looking back at it now.

And most recently, you've cast Delilah Belle Hamlin, whose career has really taken off.

Oh, she's great. And you can tell—now that we have seen a few of these girls that have gone on and gotten bigger and bigger, you can tell that Delilah is going to be successful. She's so easy to work with, very personable, and very professional, but still fun. Those are the people that you want to help and want to work with.

What are other indicators that a girl will be big? Is there anyone you have your eye on right now?

We are still in the early stages of casting, but there are a few girls that we have our eye on. There's so much room out there now with social media and the opportunities out there, so I think there are a lot of girls that will be very successful.

Do you look at a model's social footprint when casting?

Once in awhile, but it is not our main focus for casting. We really just look for the girl that fits the look.

Your front row is also often filled with up-and-comers like Bella Thorne. How big of a factor is that into your show planning?

I think it is just fun. There is really not a specific purpose or thought to it. Of course you like to have a pretty front row.

How to Buy a Prom Dress Online

One of the most important events in a young girl's life is prom. Just as she dreams about getting married in that perfect bridal gown, she also dreams about wearing the most beautiful dress to her prom. After all, prom is not just about having a date and getting to dance all night. It is about being noticed and being remembered.

In the past, shopping for a prom dress was limited to bridal shops, boutiques, and department stores. Style choices were often minimal, as well. Unless a girl had her dress special-made, there was always the risk of showing up at prom wearing a dress identical to the dress worn by one of her classmates. What a disaster that would be! Nothing could be more humiliating to a teenage girl.

Fortunately, times have changed. A teenage girl has more options today. There are now shops that specialize in prom dresses. In fact, there are online prom dress specialty shops, as well. A girl can now spend hours online, searching for the perfect dress from the comfort of her own room.

Things to Know about Buying a Prom Dress Online

Obviously, shopping online is not quite the same as physically going into a store. For one thing, you can't try on the dress that caught your eye on a certain prom dress website. If that particular store happens to have a location in your vicinity, you could always visit that store to try on prom dresses. Otherwise, you'll have to make sure that you order your dress early enough to allow for fittings and alterations. (It's a good idea to start shopping for your prom dress at least six weeks before prom.)

(Prom dresses bought in a store or online more often than not will require alterations. To get that perfect, made-just-for-you fit, your dress will probably need a little tuck here or letting out there.)

Before you order your prom dress online, be sure to investigate all your options. (Remember, you're shopping for one of the most important dresses you'll ever wear.) If you have your heart set on a dress that you saw online, make sure that it is being sold by a reputable company. You certainly do not want to make a big investment on a dress, only to discover later that you were taken advantage of.

Be aware of the store's return policy. When it comes to prom dresses, most stores do not allow returns. This "no return policy" prevents any questionable returns, such as the return of a prom dress after it has already been worn to prom. If you cannot return a prom dress for any reason, you want to be certain that you are quite satisfied with your choice before purchasing the dress.

The Benefits of Buying a Prom Dress Online

Buying a prom dress online can save you (and your parents) time and money. Not only will you save gas money and time spent going out to the mall or specialty stores, you will also be able to find more reasonably priced prom dresses at online stores.

When you shop online, you have access to prom dress stores all across the country...not just local stores. That means there will be a larger selection of prom dresses from which to choose. You should be easily able to find a prom dress online that suits your style and personality. It means, too, that you run less of a chance of buying the same dress as another girl at your school.

At online prom dress specialty stores, you can find the latest styles in prom dresses made by popular designers, such as Jovani Prom or Terani Prom. You can find short dresses or long dresses, fancy dresses or simple dresses, dresses with full skirts or tight-fitting dresses. Just about any style of prom dress you can imagine will be found online.

Don't Forget the Accessories

This is your prom, and you want it to be as memorable as possible. You want to look and feel like a real princess. That's why you should consider adorning yourself with some sort of hair décor or jewelry. Tiaras or decorative hair clips are always a good choice to compliment your beautiful hair.

Check the store from which you purchase your prom dress for the right accessories to accentuate your look. Most prom dress stores carry a variety of prom accessories.

Where to Buy the Best Prom Dresses

When it comes to buying prom dresses, finding the right vendor can be overwhelming. From the countless number of places you can buy prom dresses online to local malls stuffed with bargain-priced dresses, girls have a lot of options to wade through. But where is the best place to buy prom dresses?

Before heading to Amazon.com or the nearest Deb's, you should carefully consider what different prom dress vendors offer in terms of budget, quality and value-added services like tailoring, care and handling. Just because a dress looks good in an image doesn't guarantee it will look good in person. Similarly, dresses bought from the mall at a bargain basement price aren't likely to come with tailoring services, and cheap materials can reveal flaws once they're brought home.

Establishing a Budget

Prom dress shopping without having a specific budget in mind can lead to overspending, so it's a good idea to enter in to the buying process with a set budget in mind. Remember: you need to factor in not only the cost of the dress, but also the cost of accessories. Deciding how much you're willing to spend overall can help guide your buying decisions. If you have a unique body type, maybe you want to allocate more money to a custom-tailored dress. If you have your heart set on a certain pair of designer shoes, maybe you want to allocate a lower budget to your dress. How much you're willing to spend on each item will determine the best place for you to shop.

Why Quality Matters

For many girls, prom night is the biggest event of the school year. You want to look - and feel - fabulous! Many cheap dresses look great on the hanger, and may even look good in the dressing room, but after an hour on the dance floor, poorly made dresses will pinch, bind or become too loose. Poorly constructed embroidery can become loose and fall off. Remember - you need to look great the entire night, and feeling comfortable in your dress without having to constantly adjust it will make your night memorable for all the right reasons - not because of a dress disaster!

Buying Prom Dresses Online

If you're on a strict dress budget, dress shopping online might be a good solution - but you have to be careful. Colors represented in dress images may not always match the actual dress, and there are no guarantees when it comes to fit. Look for reputable vendors, and be sure to read vendor reviews before purchasing. Make sure the dress comes with a size return policy. However safe you play it, buying online is a gamble, so make sure online dress purchases are made far enough in advance.

Shopping for Prom Dresses at the Mall

The mall can be a great place to browse and get an idea of what kind of dress you're looking for. Stores like Deb's and Mariposa keep a large inventory of prom dresses on hand, so there's often plenty to choose from. Most mall stores do not, however, offer custom fitting services, so fit will need to be precise. Keep in mind that not all dresses can be tailored; prom dresses made with cheap materials can be especially difficult to tailor, so don't buy a dress from the mall with the expectation that it can be custom fitted later - it might be better to spend a little more on a dress from a store which offers fitting services.

Local Party & Bridal Boutiques

Local dress boutiques tend to offer the most in terms of quality and tailoring services. These stores tend to keep a smaller in-stock inventory of higher quality prom dresses, but these in-stock dresses are often from designer lines which are hard to find in larger chain stores. Most party and bridal boutiques have extensive catalog selection of designer prom dresses which can be ordered and custom fitted. Keep in mind that catalog ordering and custom fitting can take time, so the sooner your dress is ordered, the better. If you're looking to avoid the "cookie cutter" look on prom night with a designer dress that's truly one-of-a-kind, local boutiques are your best option.