New England girls were all Belle of the Ball

FASHION

Boutique Day returned to Boston

Brithany Ormaza, left, 17, of Lawrence, and volunteer Rhonda Tippett, right, select prom dresses to try on during Belle of the Ball, an organization providing prom gowns to students in need, at the Hynes Convention Center Saturday in Boston. PAUL CONNORS — BOSTON HERALD

Janesica Johnson, 18, of Dorchester, smiles at her reflection in a mirror as she tries on a necklace to accessorize the prom dress she selected during Belle of the Ball. PAUL CONNORS — BOSTON HERALD

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It was a fairytale day for many a Bay State high school girl Saturday as they chose their prom dresses at the Belle of the Ball Boutique Day at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

“Life has thrown us many curve balls, but our mission remains the same: every high school girl should have the experience of feeling beautiful,” said Arthur Anton Jr., of Anton’s Cleaners, a founder of the Belle of the Ball. “Because of last year’s hiatus, we have the ability to help more deserving young women than ever before, thanks to our generous corporate partners, dress donors and volunteers.”

More than 1,000 girls were invited to take part in the Boutique Day where they spent the day shopping and being pampered ahead of prom.

Those who wish to help support getting dresses to a girl in need can donate a dress from Feb. 6 through March at any Anton’s Cleaners, Enterprise Bank or Jordan’s Furniture location in eastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire or R.I.