A local resident is sharing her love and passion for fashion with the community.
Courtney Samways recently moved back to her hometown of Williams Lake after spending more than a decade living in Australia, and has opened a dress rental company called Cariboo Dress Hire. The new business rents out affordable designer dresses to the community and all over the province.
Samways was born and raised in Williams Lake before moving to Australia in 2012 where she spent the past 12 years and accumulated a vast collection of dresses. Many of the dresses currently in her showroom originated from Australia and include cocktail, bridal, maternity, wedding guest, casual, flower girl, grad and gala dresses.
Earlier this month, Samways held a launch party for Cariboo Dress Hire, which allowed guests to get a first glimpse at her collection. The showroom located in downtown Williams Lake has been booked out almost every day since the opening, and Samways has already rented out a handful of dresses.
"We accommodate to everyone," Samways said. "We have over 500 dresses right now and each day it continues to grow with the support of the community."
Samways started Cariboo Dress Hire because she knows what it is like to have dresses that just sit in the closet and collect dust. She was not ready to throw the dresses out or get rid of them, and many had never been worn or worn only once. By renting them out, she found a way that their value could be used for everyone for any event in the Cariboo and around B.C.
"I am super passionate about helping people and I have created a very welcoming space that is free of judgment and a place where you can be yourself," she said. "I am there to support you and help you find the perfect dress that makes you feel beautiful for whatever event you may have."
Samways says that renting a dress is a simple and easy process, as well as affordable, and that it is the new way of retail fashion.
"People get tired of spending hundreds of dollars on one dress and wearing it once or never wearing it at all," she said. "By renting a dress with Cariboo Dress Hire, you get to choose from a huge variety, and maybe even step outside your comfort zone by trying something new and getting your money's worth."
Samways went on to say that she has started collecting wedding dresses to add to her showroom, many of which are now available to rent. She is also currently working on an online platform that would allow dresses to be rented online with ease from anywhere in B.C.
"By booking the dress for the dates you need it, we post it to you, you wear the dress and simply send it back," Samways explained. "No washing or dry cleaning needed — we take care of everything."
In addition to a retail shopping appointment, Cariboo Dress Hire also offers styling appointments, including wedding and bridesmaid styling, a pick up appointment for dresses that have been booked in advance, and an after hours Ladies Night appointment which includes champagne and cheese boards. Appointments can be made on their Instagram profile, 'cariboodresshire_,' either through direct message or the Squareup link, or by phone at 250-302-9670.
