Centenary College's Chapter of Becca's Closet Manages Fashion Shows for Local Organizations

Hackettstown, N.J. –  Prom season is upon us and with that the Centenary College chapter of Becca’s Closet, an organization that provides gently used prom dresses to those who cannot afford them, is involved in fashion show management.  Last Friday, students produced the Prom 2013 Fashion Show as part of their assignment for Professor Kristen McKitish’s Coordination and Promotion course.  This event was held at Rockaway Mall and was part of the Rockaway Mall Prom Exposition.

As part of this assignment, the students selected the garments that were featured, as well as wrote commentary about them, discussed trends and served as models that evening. 
In addition, Professor McKitish, who is an Assistant Professor of Fashion and Merchandising, will be serving as an emcee for a fashion show fundraiser for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas at 11:30 a.m. April 14, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. in Somerset, N.J..  The members of Becca’s Closet will serve as models and fashion coordinators for this travel through time themed project. 

“Students will coordinate three or four looks from different periods and will talk about fashion trends for each timeframe that is covered,” says McKitish.  “Exercises such as the two that we are involved in will help strengthen the Becca’s Closet mission on campus, plus are terrific hands-on experiences for the students.”

McKitish started her career at Centenary College in 2002 in the Student Engagement and Services Department.  Her positions included Director of Student Activities and Director of First Year Programs.  She also served as an adjunct professor and became a full-time faculty member in 2010. 

Prior to working in higher education, McKitish was a “seasoned veteran” in the retail world.  She has over 16 years of retail experience – 10 of which was spent at Bloomingdale’s Department Stores.  While at Bloomingdale’s McKitish held many positions ranging from Assistant Buyer, Regional Operations Coordinator and Assistant Store Manager of Store Operations and had the exciting opportunity to travel to every store in the country.  In addition, McKitish was a recipient of the “Best of the Best” Award – the highest achievement awarded at Bloomingdale’s.

In addition, the Becca’s Closet Open Houses for high school students is on the following dates: March 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; April 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; April 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; April 19 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; April 27 from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and May 4, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Those who attend are invited to select one prom gown in the Becca’s Closet inventory for free.

“It is exciting that many high schoolers have had and will have a positive prom experience with a little help from Becca’s Closet,” says McKitish. 

The organization, Becca’s Closet, is named after Rebecca “Becca” Kirtman, a 16-year- old who passed away in an automobile accident in 2003.  Becca launched a dress drive in her freshman year of high school in Davie, Florida, to provide prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who could not afford to purchase them.  During her sophomore year, she single-handedly collected and donated over 250 formal dresses and helped hundreds of girls across South Florida attend their high school prom in style.
To keep Becca’s dream alive, countless dedicated people throughout the world have joined with her family and friends to provide opportunities for those who seek them. 

There are over 80 active chapters of Becca’s Closet.  Only six are in New Jersey, and Centenary College is the only institution of higher education in New Jersey that runs a chapter.

In addition, private appointments can be made for individuals to select their own prom dress.  Gently used dresses are also now being accepted by the Chapter.  Dresses that have stains, holes or zippers that are broken will not be accepted.  Donations must be dry cleaned.

For further information, please call (908) 852-1400, ext. 4352, or e-mail mckitishk@centenarycollege.edu or daviss02@centenarycollege.edu.  . 

Visit the Becca’s Closet website at www.beccascloset.org. The Centenary chapter also has a Facebook page.  It can be found under the group Centenary Becca’s Closet.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.  The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.

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