Cinderental

Imagine: You work in Washington, D.C., and that gorgeous guy you've been after for months has asked you, last minute, to a black-tie affair at the White House. But he's picking you up in an hour, and you have nothing to wear and no time to go from store to store searching for a fabulous, original, drop-dead gown.

operated by Cathy Baker '87 and Jennifer Hellman '86.

The new boutique, which rents women's formal wear, opened last September on M Street. "There was a real need here for this type of store," explains Cathy Baker, a history major at the College. "There are quite a few people who go to at least one formal event a week—and see the same crowd of people. This way they can wear five dresses for the price of one."

"We have over 280 dresses, mainly evening gowns, cocktail dresses, evening suits, plus wraps, cloaks, and capes," says Jennifer Hellman, an art history major. The dresses rent for three days at from $75 to $250, reflecting retail prices of $300 to $ 1,500.

These are designer dresses, mostly one-of-a-kind, bought from New York showrooms. "Customers like the feeling that they won't see their dress standing across the room from them," says Hellman. "We serve society and business women, press bigwigs, and college and high school students. Some have one event to go to and don't want to spend money for a gown. Others have many events and don't want to wear the same dress twice."

"Some of our dresses have met Jimmy Stewart, George Bush, and Sylvester Stallone. We may not have a social life, but our dresses do!" Baker added.

Baker and Hellman plan to expand Til Midnight within the Washington area, as well as to other states. Both young entrepreneurs feel there is definitely a market out there for style, economy, and speed. Hellman recalls,

"The quickest job we've had so far was a woman who had 15 minutes to shop because she had to catch a plane. She wanted a long in a size four. She had the taxi wait outside. People just put these things off until the last minute, but we're always able to outfit them."

In fact, if George Bush ever goes on an economy kick and tells Barbara, "Read my lips, no new dresses," well, Baker and Hellman will be happy to help the First Lady.

Cathy Baker '87 and Jennifer Hellman '86