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location in 2007 to expand our product and service offerings. I now have a staff of five – myself plus four other sales associates / seamstresses.
SWO: What kinds of services do you provide?
SS / FF: At Formal Fantasy we offer special occasion clothing for women and men, specializing in weddings and other formal events like galas and proms. In addition to our dresses, suits and tuxedos, we offer all the accessories, including jewelry, shoes and ties. Our“ other job” is clothing alterations, where we fit everything from swimsuits to wedding gowns perfectly to the client – as well as repairing the occasional airplane cover.
20 years later, I had the honor of helping that same little girl, now a wonderful young woman, as she got married. They were pleased with my service through a flower girl’ s dress, several prom dresses and finally, her own wedding outfit. That made me feel great.
One year, I got a call on a Saturday afternoon from Ponca City. One of my customers was putting on her dress for prom that night, and the zipper failed! She was heart-broken and called me in tears. I calmed her down, grabbed a new zipper and my sewing machine, tossed the keys to the assistants, and drove to Ponca
SWO: What is it like being the only store in Stillwater offering the services you provide?
SS / FF: Formal Fantasy is unique in that so many formal wear retailers only alter their own merchandise or don’ t offer alterations at all – and none of them will alter everyday clothing. That creates stress for the client when they are planning or participating in an event that is already emotionally charged.
Our goal is to help our customers from the planning stage to the day of their event, providing high quality, event-appropriate clothing at a good price with all the accessories and fitting them correctly, all with minimal stress. Recently, we’ ve expanded our men’ s department to offer more options so our clients don ' t have to go out of town or shop online. And we’ re always ready to hem those jeans.
SWO: What are some of your favorite memories helping your customers?
SS / FF: A few years ago, I helped a bride with her wedding dress. As we were finishing up the fitting, her mom mentioned that they had been coming to me for a long time. She then reminded me of a young, about 5-year-old girl, that I made a custom flower girl dress for when I first opened Formal Fantasy. It was the bride! And now, almost
" At Formal Fantasy we offer special occasion clothing for women and men, specializing in weddings and other formal events like galas and proms. In addition to our dresses, suits and tuxedos, we offer all the accessories, including jewelry, shoes and ties."
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