Vancouver Island Prom Closet Society, formerly Prom Closet Nanaimo, is once again accepting appointments for fittings for free prom attire for graduating Island students. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

prom season

‘Keeps getting busier and busier:’ Prom Closet in Nanaimo offering grad attire Island-wide

Mar 7, 2025 | 2:51 PM

NANAIMO — With spring right around the corner, grade 12 students across Vancouver Island are getting ready for prom season, and one local group of volunteers wants to make sure they all look their best.

Prom Closet Nanaimo, now operated by the Vancouver Island Prom Closet Society (VIPCS), is back once again, providing prom attire free of charge for anyone who needs it.

Chairperson of this year’s VIPCS Robyn Hewer, said in their eleventh year of operation, they continue to see an increase in popularity.

“We see students come from all over the island, both private and public schools, as long as they’re graduating, they’re welcome to come. Just keeps getting busier and busier as more people find out about us. We get more donations, more support.”

What started with a few outfits has grown to over three big storage lockers full of gowns, suits, and accessories. Students are provided with their outfit free of charge, and while they’re allowed to keep it after prom, they’re encouraged to donate it back to VIPCS.

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Hewer said saving money and being environmentally friendly are a few of the reasons students decide to check them out.

“Students who just want to be able to say that they helped the environment by wearing a dress second hand…I think the trend across the board is looking at our environment at the forefront of a lot of conversations, and this is just one way we can have an impact.”

She said they’re starting to see younger siblings of previous grads who have come through their program now booking appointments, underscoring the need for affordable prom attire.

Gowns, suits, shoes, and prom attire of all kinds are available through Prom Closet Nanaimo, but we can’t show you their entire selection so as not to spoil the selection for other would-be clients. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Hewer said part of the reason they began transitioning for a formal society is due to their expanded reach beyond Nanaimo to all corners of Vancouver Island, including Campbell River and Victoria.

“I think one of the big changes for us is that we can reach out to some of the local groups for donations. We’re completely volunteer and donation run, so it just gives us a little bit more of a formal situation that we can present to different groups on the island when requesting support.”

Hewer said while they continue to receive tremendous support from the community, including a large donation of shoes last year from a local store, more is always needed, specifically gowns sizes 16 and above, undergarmets, and modern suits of all sizes.

“The suits are definitely the more modern cut that we’re seeing and that people are coming in and looking for, and it’s certainly not just male suits; we’ve had females over the last few years request suits as well, and it’s great to see.”

They’re also hoping to reform relationships with prom groups within the local schools for feedback and donations, something that faded away during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appointments can be booked through emails to promcloset.nanaimo@gmail.com, or contact them through their Facebook page.

Spots for fitting are open from February to May, and they accept donations of formal clothing year-round.

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