Dressing generations of Valley girls

March 2, 2007

BY DIMITRA LAVRAKAS

Frontiersman

Diane Tresham already has four dresses selected and laid out for Kaela Larson's perusal. The owner of Arctic Rose Boutique, has 23 years under her belt performing such personalized service for Valley women.

Larson, 16, has been dressed by Tresham since her first pageant at the age of 6. Now, Kaela is looking for a gown for the Miss Alaska's Outstanding Teenager pageant in April, and if she wins, she'll advance to Miss Alaska National Teenager and bank more scholarship money to follow her dream of a certificate in acting and a degree in childhood education from UAA.

But right now there's the dresses to select to match the theme of the pageant - Egyptian- and the prom - Mardi Gras.

&#8220We ordered three elsewhere,” Kaela's mother, Kelly, said. &#8220But Diane has a very good eye and if she sees something in a magazine and thinks it'll look good on Kaela, it will be, and we will buy it.”

Tresham said she's constantly thinking up new ways to serve her customers. The latest is a &#8220little black dress” rental of a closet full of different sizes, shapes and lengths to chose from.

&#8220Men can rent tuxedos, why can't women rent a perfect black dress for that one occasion?” Tresham said. Also, she rents tuxedos and dress jackets.

She says that while some of her customers head to the bigger cities or order online, they eventually come back to the boutique in Meta Rose Mall in Wasilla.

It is more than just a dress store.

More than just fitting a dress to a customer, Tresham provides highly personalized services for her clientele.

She is fastidious about making sure the same gown doesn't show up on two girls at a prom.

&#8220Diane keeps track of what dresses are going to what proms,” Kaela said &#8220Diane is more like family than a boutique owner, and when I get married and no matter where I am, I want to come back here for my wedding dress.”

Other families who have dressed their daughters here also have years of memories and say they can see the generations ahead of them coming to Arctic Rose.

&#8220As a mother of four daughters, I have seen a lot of changes through the years, and many more special occasions to come,” Colleen Bjornstad wrote in an e-mail. &#8220It's a great joy knowing that my family can go to Arctic Rose and know we will receive excellent care and quality gowns.”

As Kaela tries on dress after dress, Tresham's discerning eye becomes apparent, and that makes it a bittersweet decision.

Kaela and Kelly leave behind the three gowns they've selected and go off for several days of deep contemplation.

&#8220What's your favorite so far?” Tresham asks.

&#8220Oh gosh, I don't know, can I have them all?” Kelly replied.

Contact Dimitra Lavrakas at 352-2269 or valleylife@frontiersman.com.