How do you help contestants find the right dress for them?
The nice thing about our store is that most girls find the dress for themselves: We have stock in the store and gowns on display. When they come in, we talk with the girls a little bit and see what they are thinking. Of course the parents, pageant coaches, and the executive directors will give their opinions, but the girls are the ones who are wearing the gowns. Nine out of ten times, girls will buy the first gown they try on. It’s what catches their eye when they walk in the door. 

What should contestants be looking for when shopping for a gown? What should they avoid?
Contestants should be making sure the gown is age-appropriate, color-appropriate, and pageant-appropriate. The most expensive gown doesn’t mean it’s the best. When they step out on that stage, they should feel like a million bucks and they have to be secure in what they’re wearing.

They should avoid being talked into a gown and avoid a gown that people will say that they look great in. The girls need to feel good in it themselves. They should also avoid one that is too short and too small. You’re not going to feel or see that confidence on stage if she isn’t comfortable in the gown. Avoid just letting someone tell you that it’s perfect, and follow your instincts.

What makes your gowns different from other gowns contestants might find?
We only do pageant; we don’t do red carpet or prom. Red carpet is for standing four feet away. When you are on stage, the judges can be up to fifteen feet away. The design and details have to be seen that far away, and our dresses are made for the stage. You want to grab the judges’ attention right away. Mallory came in, desiring something a little less “blingy.” She wanted a little more conservative gown. It’s a challenge, because we wanted to make it for the stage—especially for the size of the Miss America stage. But she felt fantastic in it, and we accentuated Mallory with a beautiful bracelet and necklace and a great hairstyle. It’s what the girl desires.

What else would you like fourpoints readers to know? We have dressed girls for many different pageants, but our hearts really seem to come back to the Miss America Organization. We are very involved with our state pageant and sponsoring sixteen other states, as well as being involved with girls from across the country. We dress girls for Miss USA—which is great—but it is nice to be with the Miss America pageants. We also like being a Florida base and doing the MAOTeen pageant (which is in Orlando, where Regalia is located). We were there with MAOT the day they started, and are still with them.  

Regalia is the Evening Gown Competition Sponsor for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen this year, as it also was last year. Regalia will provide three preliminary evening wear scholarship awards and the Non-Finalist Evening Wear award. Regalia is the official MAOTeen wardrobe provider.

Written by: Chelsea Stoskopf is fourpoints magazine's editorial assistant. Photo courtesy of Regalia Magnificent Apparel