Owner Jacqui Wadsworth, bottom left, with sister Elizabeth Ethridge, top left, and daughter Grace Alexander, right, at The Gilded Gown at Knoxville Center Mall. (Photo: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel )
The decline of the mall has not impacted their business at all. In fact, they’re growing, owner Jacqui Wadsworth said.
“This opportunity (to expand) has come to us because we’re in this mall,” she said. “There was room right next door to move in.”
Prom dresses come in all sizes
Wadsworth opened the store in 2008 in South Knoxville and moved into the mall in 2014. Since 2015, business has almost quadrupled, she said.
Now there’s a more comfortable space for both brides and formal wear shoppers.
“Our bridal business has grown so much, we had no fitting rooms left for our prom clients,” Wadsworth said.
The prom side stocks about 1,200 dresses in sizes 000-36. Prom shopping season starts in mid-January and ends in mid-April.
“We have just as many size 24s as we do 2s,” Wadsworth said. “So everybody can come here and have a lifetime shopping experience.”
Wadsworth said she hopes to keep the prom storefront open year-round, and will add additional formal wear if that happens. The move allowed them to add about 200 prom dresses to the floor and there’s space for fitting rooms and a seating area.
Prom dress trends this year include lots of sparkle, beading, metallics, champagne colors, florals and sleek silhouettes. Prom dresses range from $159-$699.
Wadsworth said they are hiring additional associates and will have about 20 employees soon.
The Gilded Gown owner Jacqui Wadsworth talks about the store’s expansion in Knoxville Center Mall. Brianna Paciorka, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
More space for wedding dress shopping
The store carries about 1,000 bridal gowns in stock at all times, from size 000 to 32.
Dresses range from $500-$3,500, but most fall into the $699-$1,499 range, Wadsworth said. Clients come from seven states.
Because formal wear has moved next door, it’s created a more spacious area for brides to try on dresses and lots of room for the bridal parties. They’ve also added two additional runways for brides to model their selections.
“I like to think the experience we give them sets the tone for the wedding day,” Wadsworth said.
Bridal trends this season include boho, ball gowns, lace and sparkle.
The store also has plenty of accessories, from headpieces to veils, sashes and clutches. Accessories are half-price with the purchase of a dress.
Walk-ins are welcome and brides can take home a dress the same day.
