How Manitobans are making grad dresses affordable and one of a kind

Three people wearing dresses supplied by Gowns for Grads Winnipeg are pictured in this undated image. (Gowns for Grads Winnipeg)

Graduation season is upon us, which means students around the province are pulling out their finest attire to celebrate the milestone.

From designer duds to vintage varieties and glamourous gowns, students spend months searching for the perfect dress to wear to graduation.

However, with rising costs and endless options, it’s not always easy to find one-of-kind dresses at affordable prices. Luckily, there are some people who are trying to help.

CTV News spoke to local students, businesses and organizations working to ensure that every graduate gets the gown of their dreams.

Gowns for Grads

One non-profit that’s improving the accessibility of graduation dresses is Gowns for Grads Winnipeg.

For over 15 years, the volunteer-run organization has been collecting dress donations for graduates who are facing financial hardships.

Each year, Gowns for Grads provides hundreds of dresses to Manitoba students free of cost.

Brooke Bouchard, one of the group’s main organizers, said the organization aims to ensure that no one is left out.

“We think that graduating high school is such an achievement that really deserves to be celebrated and that’s why these grand celebrations were started,” she said.

“We feel that we can be an equalizer in the equation.”

Bouchard explained Gowns for Grads not only takes in dress donations, but also goes out and buys dresses to ensure they have a large variety. Students who want to take part can register through their school.

“We just want it to be a good experience when [students] come to their shopping appointment,” she said.

“And we really strive to make sure that there are things for everyone to try on in all sizes.”

Moving forward, Bouchard said the organization is looking for more dresses.

“We really, really, really need dresses and really, really would appreciate it if anyone has formal dresses that they’re not wearing anymore; please consider those, and we’ll take them year-round.”

Rent Me Winnipeg

Business owner Marcia Asheri shares a similar sentiment to Gowns for Grads in wanting to improve the affordability and accessibility of formal wear.

Asheri runs Rent Me Winnipeg – a service where shoppers can rent dresses for a variety of occasions, including prom and graduation.

She said she started the business because not everyone wants to buy an expensive dress and only wear it once.

“These seasons that happen, people want to splurge and then the dress goes in the closet and sits there for a long time,” she said.

“I think it’s just economically friendly as well but also gives someone that beautiful moment without breaking their budget.”

Asheri said she goes and buys the dresses herself, noting that she likes “extravagant” gowns.

She added that size inclusion is important to her and that she wants to ensure she has something for everyone.

“Not everyone is a small, medium or large, so that’s something that has been key to me: making sure that it’s inclusive of all body types,” she said.

Asheri encourages anyone interested to check out Rent Me Winnipeg on social media, with prom dresses ranging from around $90 to $130 for 24-hour rentals.

A blast from the past

Beyond these organizations, one current graduate has found a unique, meaningful and affordable path to finding her perfect graduation gown.

Kyra Pituley, who is graduating this year from the high school in Beausejour, Man., said she will be walking across the stage in her stepmom’s graduation dress from 2001.

She said she first saw the dress years ago and always had it in the back of her mind. Then when it came to shopping for her own grad gown, nothing was quite measuring up.

“Everything always came back to my stepmom’s grad dress,” she said.

“So, I asked her to try it on again, probably in November of last year, and I told her that this is the dress I’m wearing.”

Pituley explained she loves this particular dress because of how different it is from current styles, adding that she likes to be “unique and be the one person who’s always doing things a little bit differently.”

She said it also means a lot to her.

“I feel there’s a lot of stigma about stepmoms… To me, she’s my mom. She always has been,” she said.

“It’s just really something that’s really meaningful to me that I’m able to wear something that meant so much to her when she graduated.

As for how her stepmom feels, Pituley said she cried tears of joy upon learning that she was wearing her dress.

One-of-a-kind caps

Though dresses are a big part of graduation attire, it doesn’t stop there.

RaeLynne Sosiak is offering an affordable service for graduation cap customization.

Through her business, graduates supply Sosiak with their caps, which she then decorates in any way the customer sees fit, whether it’s with quotes, pictures, characters or gems.

She said it’s her goal to make it easy and affordable for grads to express themselves.

“It also makes a good keepsake that you can have in a shadow box after the fact and have a way to remember that special time in your life,” she said.

“It’s also a fun way for family and friends to identify their graduate on their day at the ceremony.”

Sosiak emphasized that she aims to keep her designs affordable and that customers can reach out to her on Facebook Marketplace or her Instagram, @Divinely_diy.

She said she knows how hard it is to graduate, which is why she wanted to start this business.

“Sticking to it and really putting in that work and getting through it is a big achievement. I think people should really give themselves credit and treat themselves.”