Glamour Gowns and Suit Up is partnering with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Los Angeles to provide the foster youth of the city with new formal wear, shoes and accessories so they can attend their prom or any other formal events. On Saturday, April 7, teenagers in the Los Angeles foster care system will have the opportunity to find their perfect prom outfit at the 18th annual Glamour Gowns and Suit Up event.

Over 18 years, the Glamour Gowns and Suit Up event has provided more than 5,000 foster youth with formal wear. (photo by Deborah Dodge Photography)
For 18 years, the Glamour Gowns and Suit Up Committee has served more than 5,000 teenage girls in the foster care system, all at no cost. For the fourth year, young men in the foster care system are provided a new suit, shirt, tie and shoes to wear. This year’s event will provide more than 600 young men and women formal attire to look and feel confident, both socially and professionally.
The Glamour Gowns and Suit Up Event is organized by a volunteer committee, co-chaired by Kristen DeLeo and Paulette Fiorina, working in conjunction with CASA of Los Angeles and staffed with over 300 volunteers.
“The collective effort from volunteers, donors and sponsors helps us create an extraordinary event that allows the foster youth of Los Angeles to attend their prom night looking their best regardless of their circumstances,” DeLeo said. “The whole day is so inspiring and all the teens, who have unfortunately grown up in a system where their voices aren’t heard, get the royal treatment. On top of making them sparkle for prom night we hope to build their self-esteem and confidence as they start to enter the world as adults.”
The event will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, located at 1201 S. Figueroa St. The teens will be paired with a personal shopper who will help them choose formal wear as well as teach them how to do their make up and hair so they are fully prepared for their events.
Teens will have their dream prom-needs fulfilled thanks to donors and sponsors including SHARE, Inc., Masquerade Formal Wear from DJ Bronson, Chinese Laundry, Jenette Bras, Gianni Inc. Menswear, Tadashi Shoji, April Love Makeup Academy, Dinair Airbrush Makeup, CB Western Works Hask Beauty, Drybar, Friar Tux Shop, Neutrogena Corporation, Kimberly Clark, Skechers, NYX Cosmetics and Deborah Dodge Photography.
There are still spots left for foster youth, as well as a need for volunteers. Volunteers must be 18 or older. Reservations must be made by April 3 at casala.org/ggsu.
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