The rise of the prom means dressing to impress for school celebrations

As exam season comes to an end, prom season begins.

- by Jennifer Cartwright

It's the time for those ending their high school journey to dress up like royalty and red carpet stars to celebrate with their friends.

For many, it will be the first time ever that they have worn something extravagant.

At this time of year, Precious Proms & Pearls, a staple shop at the Leeds Corn Exchange, helps make young people's prom fantasies come true.

The shop idea was born in 2011, when owner Cathy and her friend both had daughters struggling to find formal dresses on the high street.

Their occasion wasn't prom but rather York Races, but nevertheless it gave Cathy an idea.

She said: "We found that there was nothing for that age group where they could feel really dressed up and like they were really going somewhere special. They wanted something different to wear."

After travelling to Atlanta, USA to research top prom dress designers such as Sherri Hill and Mori Lee, the first Precious Proms & Pearls shop was set up in Halifax.

In 2018, the shop found its permanent home in the Leeds Corn Exchange.