KILLEEN DAILY HERALD | SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2024
S H O P L O CA L
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Hundreds of free prom dresses claimed at Killeen event BY JADA HOLCOMB KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
The “A Dress & A Blessing” giveaway event hosted by Marcus Simmons Fashion & Arts Academy took place Saturday at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. The noon event brought in hundreds of girls throughout the day, excited to get their hair and makeup done, paint their nails, take professional photos by photographers, and of course — claim a free dress for the upcoming prom season. “There’s a lot of different emotions, I want to say a relief but it’s a beautiful relief,” said Dominique Simmons, the event’s organizer and fashion designer. “They’re looking amazing; the parents are happy and it’s a relief for the parents financially because prices are going up on everything,” This was Simmons first-ever dress giveaway event. He expressed to the Herald how he wanted to bring something to Killeen that will help out parents financially, as well as getting the opportunity to see girls feel confident in their new dresses and makeovers. Fashion is what inspired him to come up with the event, and future Marcus Simmons Fashion & Arts Academy plans are underway. “I wanted it to be almost like a woman empowerment event” focusing on beauJADA HOLCOMB | HERALD
PLEASE SEE DRESSES, A6
The A Dress & A Blessing dress giveaway event, hosted by Marcus Simmons Fashion & Arts Academy, took place Saturday.