Looking and feeling beautiful

MT PLEASANT - For Sarah's Bridal Gallery, Saturday was spent in a whirl of dresses, jewelry and advice from a famous fashion designer.

Sarah's Bridal Gallery has been open for 20 years and almost every year they have had a trunk show. In a trunk show, a dress designer will ship a variety of dresses to a store for a short period of time. This was the first time a designer has visited the store, said owner Sarah Lauer.

Johnathan Kayne spent the day helping area girls pick out the perfect prom or pageant dress.

Kayne is a fashion designer from Nashville. He has worked with a variety of celebrity clients such as Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts and Jennifer Lopez. He has participated in Project Runway in 2006 and again in 2012. Sarah's Bridal Gallery has carried his dresses for two years.

Kayne worked from girl to girl, helping them pick dresses, earrings and giving advice on styling their hair. Kayne said he was hands-on all day, and wasn't afraid to jump in and help.

Kayne said he likes to visit the stores that carry his products to build a close relationship with the stores. It gives him an opportunity to see what clients there are and what people are asking for, he said.

Growing up with five sisters, Kayne said he learned to listen.

'A lot of times these young girls, they'll have ideas of what they want to try,” he said.

He will read their body language to learn what they're comfortable with and urging them to try new things that would work with their body type and skin tone.

He said it is a collaboration and loves helping the girl look and feel beautiful.

'It's the whole reason I do what I do,” he said.

Lauer said in the morning, Kayne spent two hours with a pageant contestant designing a custom gown. She said the whole day was exciting.

The store attracts customers from around the Southeast Iowa area, some traveling from Cedar Rapids to view the available prom dresses. For every girl, the store checks a dress registry to ensure there are not multiple people wearing the same dress at a school.

The walls of Sarah's Bridal Gallery are filled with a variety dresses in many different colors and styles.

Kayne said bling still is a popular trend for prom dresses. This year he said bright colors and form fitting, but comfortable dresses are popular.