'27 Dresses Project' Gathers Gowns for a Cause

This fall, Mount Vernon business owner Mary Ann Ferraguto is encouraging her clients to donate their old formal gowns to a Kenyan businesswoman in need.

Ferraguto owns SHED Organizing Services, a business that helps homeowners and businesses de-clutter and organize their homes or offices. In September, Ferraguto read Nicholas D. Kristof’s column about Jane Ngoiri, a Kenyan dressmaker who struggled with poverty until she joined Jamii Bora, an antipoverty organization. Through Jamii Bora, Jane was taught to save for her future and she learned another powerful tool – she learned to sew. She started buying secondhand formal gowns and cutting them up to make two or three smaller dresses, and sold the smaller dresses. Her business thrived and she used the profits to buy a home and keep her children in school.

After reading about Jane Ngoiri’s success, Ferraguto was inspired to help. Because her business deals with helping clients simplify their lives, she thought, what if she encouraged clients to donate their secondhand bridesmaid gowns?

“This woman’s business model kind of paired with my own and I thought this was something I could do,” said Ferraguto.

Ferraguto worked as a bridal consultant and reached out to her former employer to tell them about the 27 Dresses project. Her former employer was enthusiastic about the idea and donated some secondhand bridesmaid gowns, which she said was “very gracious and generous of them.” She also tapped into her client base, which was very receptive to the idea.

“I think there is a lot to do here to help someone far away and…it’s only going to help this woman feed her kids from the wealth it will generate,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s what problems and issues come down to – educating the population.”

So far, Ferraguto has collected 80 dresses from clients and community members. Her goal is to collect 100 dresses by November 15. If you would like to donate a dress, you can drop it off at her Upscale Yard Sale Saturday morning or email contact@shedorganizers.com to make arrangements.