Boutique Day is a day of recognition and self-esteem boosting. The Cinderella Project sees Boutique Day as a way to acknowledge the fact that these outstanding students have achieved a major milestone and overcome significant challenges to do so. The students spend the day with positive role models celebrating their successes and discussing their future plans.
Students who attend Boutique Day are provided with one-on-one mentorship with a volunteer “Godmother or Godfather”, their choice of a graduation outfit, hair and makeup application, food (as our students often go hungry over the weekends), a care package, and formal photos to commemorate the day. With support and encouragement from The Cinderella Project, they have successfully completed High School and are now able to celebrate the graduation milestone with their peers. As one teacher wrote, “the fact that grad is now an option for [her students] and that they have the chance to feel like ‘all the other students’ is so important!”
Throughout the year, the Cinderella Project collects donations of new and used formal wear. Each spring, the project holds “Boutique Day” in ballrooms donated by the Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver Harbourfront. There are rooms full of beautiful choices for our Cinderellas and Cinderfellas which celebrate every shape, size, culture, gender identity etc.. The Cinderella Project supports the individuality of all students on their journey to become themselves.
Since Boutique Day is about respecting and celebrating diversity, the venue is wheelchair accessible and located near public transit. The project provides godparents who know sign language or have experience working with the visually impaired. The selection of available formal wear includes outfits appropriate to a variety of cultures.
We work to encourage and recognize outstanding young people from across the Lower Mainland who reach the milestone of graduation despite overwhelming adversity. To date we have assisted over 3000 deserving young men and women.
BCIT Broadcast Journalism students created a great documentary showing more of what it’s like on Boutique Day:
Our friend Style Sista also made this video on Boutique Day: