We Aim To Slay

I love a good collaboration, especially when I get to work with people close to me! And, that's exactly what happened when Laurye and Leanna Natale of Dazzle Boutique asked me to model gowns for the shop!

I first met Laurye through pageantry almost ten years ago. Leanna and my sister, Shelby, went to school together, and ended up running into each other while we were competing one weekend. Since then, Laurye has become like an aunt to me – acting as a stylist, mentor, and confidant. 

Laurye said that she’s loved clothing, pageants and shopping her entire life, so, when she realized “there was no place to buy pageant-specific wardrobe and necessities in Connecticut,” she decided to meet that challenge head-on. That was six years ago.

“I’ve been very involved in the pageant community for nearly 15 years now,” said Laurye. “When I broached the subject with some of my friends, they all said they loved the idea and that they would support it. I’m so grateful to say that they all did!”

Located in Oxford, Connecticut (340 Center Rock Green, Oxford, 06478), Dazzle carries an array of designers – such as Sherri Hill, Jovani, Terani, Mac Duggal, and Ellie Wilde, to name a few – with a stock of approximately 1,500 dresses.

“What I believe sets us apart from all other retailers in the area is that we offer an experience,” said Laurye.

She explained that in most scenarios, the person shopping at Dazzle is someone preparing for a “right of passage in a person’s life,” such as prom, a pageant, a sweet sixteen, or the mother of a bride or groom.

“We feel it’s very important to do whatever we can to enhance that life experience, by providing one-on-one service with an experienced stylist who will work with the client to find them the dress of their dreams, and hopefully leave them feeling special!” said Laurye.

Before a client begins their shopping experience, Laurye asks them for one thing: “Be willing to try things.“

While she said that it’s perfectly fine if they don’t like a specific dress, it’s hard to tell until they’ve tried it on. “That dress that she didn’t want to try on is often the one she is leaving with!” she said.

Below you’ll find a series of images from my most recent modeling shoots for Dazzle, captured by Leanna Natale of Leanna Rose Photography.

Dazzle Boutique can be found at, www.DazzleBoutiques.com. Follow along with Dazzle on Instagram, @dazzle_boutique, and on Facebook at, www.facebook.com/dazzleboutiques. To contact the shop directly, please call, (475)-675-5353, or email Laurye at laurye@dazzleboutiques.com.

Gowns by Jovani:

Gowns by Mac Duggal:

Gowns by Sherri Hill:

Gown by Ellie Wilde: