photography by CARRIE ALLEN
When even the name reflects exactly what you’re dreaming of, you know you’ve stepped into the right boutique!
It may barely be January, but for any girl with an eye already on prom season, now is the time to start shopping for that once-in-a-lifetime dress. Ideally, this high school milestone event should be the beautiful, relaxed experience you’ve always envisioned. But, Dina Haugstatter, owner of The Perfect Dress in Mooresville, discovered otherwise several years back when she and her own daughters were shopping for prom dresses.
What she remembers most – long lines, crowds and disappointing styles – brought her full circle to opening The Perfect Dress, along with her daughter, Brooke, in September of 2021. After opening pop-up prom shops together in 2020 and early 2021, and seeing the real need for a quality shopping experience, the savvy mother-daughter duo tapped into Dina’s background in bridal and fashion. The two were determined there was a better model for showcasing stylish prom dresses in an inviting setting. It became their goal to have shoppers feel comfortable and beautiful – no matter what their size, shape or personal style. Happily, the perfect location also presented itself, and now, a popular destination in the charming, historic Merino Mill, this stylish boutique is definitely where prom dreams are realized.
Yes, shopping for spring has already begun! Watch the boutique’s Instagram page for details on their Prom Kick-Off Fashion Show on Saturday, January 6th, and catch some exciting early glimpses of what’s being seen on the spring runways!
“Spring collections are definitely about ruffles and romantic florals,” said Dina. “The color gold is trending for 2024, as well as metallic and high shine. So are bright colors such as pink and fuchsia, and Barbie-inspired dresses that align with upcoming fashion trends.”
While that “perfect dress” does exist here, Dina and Brooke feel strongly about the overall experience as well – and you’ll feel pampered from the first moment you walk in. They promise the personal, one-on-one attention needed to find the dream dress that suits your personality. A popular bonus at The Perfect Dress – the boutique also keeps detailed records for each local high school, so making a dress purchase on the earlier side keeps your choice unique to you!
Especially excited for this new year, Dina is thrilled to share how the boutique plans to give back to the community that has been so supportive of their small business from day one.
“I’m so happy to say we will now have a platform where a portion of our prom dresses sold will go towards a scholarship fund,” explains Dina. “All high school seniors who purchase a prom dress with us will qualify to fill out a scholarship application. At the end of the prom season, all applications will go through a voting process in order to select the best scholarship candidate – or candidates – based on how much money we raise.”
This initiative means everything to Dina and Brooke, in keeping with their goals to put the most positive spin possible on shopping for your unforgettable prom night.
Client testimonials tell you all you need to know about visiting The Perfect Dress!
“This is the best dress store I have ever been in! The owner is so sweet and personable and tends to every need, concern and suggestion. I went there as a last hope to find my prom dress, and they did not disappoint! They have such a variety of dresses, and the owner and her daughter helped find ‘the perfect dress’ for me and suggested what colors and styles I would look good in. The atmosphere is so pretty and inviting! The wonderful people made it so easy to find my dress, and I will 100% travel the three hours back to this place for every dance I have! Best place ever!” ~ Sydney V.
“Today I decided to go to The Perfect Dress to find my senior prom dress. I have looked in countless stores and nowhere compared to The Perfect Dress. All of the staff were so nice and helpful, constantly pulling dresses for me. As a bigger sized girl, I really struggled to find a good selection of dresses in any other store, but they had plenty of options for me to choose from in all different colors and styles – and none of them looked dated. They went out of their way to help me find this dress I have fallen in love with and helped find a way to make it fit even better!” ~ Chloe H.
“Would highly recommend The Perfect Dress. Lovely staff, very helpful. Dina, the owner, helped me find the perfect dress, and the selection was unbelievable. It was also nice to support a local female-owned business.” ~ Jennifer F.
From proms and homecoming, to quinceañeras and mothers’ dresses for all the special occasions in your life, The Perfect Dress is filled with all the latest styles from well-known designers. Visit soon to let them guide you in finding that one dream dress! The boutique is located at 500 S Main Street, Suite #116, in Mooresville, 704.978.9928, or visit them online at theperfectdressnc.com, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @theperfectdressnc. Boutique hours are Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m. While Brooke is focusing on her college studies in Fashion Textiles Brand Management, she’ll also still be doing pop-up shops for her Unfazed Boutique throughout the year – so stay tuned to social media!
