From High School to High Fashion

(Is High Society Next?)

It was a cold and stormy day as I traversed the lonely and deserted streets of Cherry Creek. I was in search of the perfect prom dress, a dress that would display my sophisticated good taste. As we all know, prom is the solitary pinnacle of one's high school career; the dress and date with which one comes adorned are the deciding factors of one's social status...forever. I was a woman possessed by blurred visions of taffeta, silk and lace, I was equipped with a credit card and a stylish eye for quality. Originally, I had believed that this trip would be a painless and joyful experience, but I had been in numerous stores, tried on numerous dresses and I was beginning to lose hope. As I lumbered forlornly up Clayton Street, rain falling around me, I was wondering if I would ever find the perfect dress. Then suddenly, something caught my eye, it was a small store painted entirely of a particularly vibrant color of pink. I had to do a double take to see if, in my desolate stupor, I had merely conjured this image to ease my heartache. I had not, this was real. I dashed back and stopped dead in my tracks in front of the store, Betsey Johnson. I peeked through the rain streaked glass front of the store and saw, what can be described in one word, perfection. I grasped the silver knob on the door and gracefully pulled it open, so as not to upset the dresses. Even though I knew this was real, I could not believe my eyes. I entered, my heels clicking upon the pink tiles. There were stunning one-of-a kind dresses wherever I looked. All of them were outrageously loud and ostentatious; there was a vivid lavender and electric olive colored one that purely blew my mind. As I approached one size 4 classic lilac silk number with an azure lace and sequin overlay, I was pleasantly greeted by the girl who worked there. She asked for what occasion I was shoppind an I told her. She pointed me in the direction of maybe twelve or so amazingly perfect dresses. I tried on black silk, pink lace and everything in between, it was tiresome, but I was eating up every minute of it. Finally when I decided that all the twelve dresses were beautiful but not appropriate for prom, I saw it, the dress to end all dresses. It was shyly hanging in the back, as if humbly hiding its grandeur. This was truly a hidden treasure I gasped when I saw it, eyes wide and mouth open, I took the hanger in my hand. This particular dress was a delicious shade of lemon yellow tulle with a silk overlay; (I swear that the sun came out when I saw it). It was just above the knee in length, vintage with a sweetheart neckline and a rhinestone and faux pearl sprinkled bodice. There was only one left, a size 4. I took it into the black curtained dressing room and was astounded when it glided effortlessly over my body. I zipped it up and came out to look in the mirror. I twirled around and posed not believing how lucky I was, it fit perfectly and looked simply chic with my tan skin and blond hair, this was the one. After the girl asked me what school I attended and assured me that no girl from my school had even come into this store looking for a prom dress, it was a done deal. I gave her my credit card and she wrapped up the dress in a hot pink dress bag with the words "Betsey Johnson" printed in black. I took the dress from her and almost skipped out of the store I was so elated. The next night was prom night and I had found the perfect shoes and perfect accessories to accompany, but not conceal the beauty of the dress, silver strappy heels with rhinestones and two necklaces, one of pearls and the other my grandmother's strikingly sparkly silver and rhinestone necklace. My date picked me up and we danced the night away under the stars, but no single star shined brighter than my dazzling lemon yellow dress. The End.

Olivia is a senior at Golden High School and will graduate on May 20, 2006. This essay was written when she was a junior in 2005.She has been on the school newspaper staff this last semester. Olivia will enter the University of Colorado at Boulder in the Fall and wants to study journalism.