At Alexandria’s “Dress It Forward,” a Tailor’s Touch Completes the Magic

ALEXANDRIA, VA – For Lucero’s 14-year-old daughter, the promise of a pretty quinceañera dress for her upcoming celebration came true Sunday morning inside a warehouse on Farrington Avenue.

For Alexis’ 17-year-old daughter, a glittery soft-pink gown seemed the perfect choice for her late-autumn homecoming, while a black sequined gown stood out as her selection for next spring’s prom.

For Megan and Carla, both searching for ball gowns for the upcoming formal Marine Corps Ball celebrating the Corps’ 250th anniversary, excitement grew as they discovered a dazzling red gown and a vibrant blue one, each with flattering lines and elegant full skirts.

Nearby, Reza Mohammadi, a well-dressed tailor from BARG Garments in Old Town, stood ready to offer his alteration services—free of charge—just like the hundreds of gowns being chosen that day. Mohammadi was volunteering at the inaugural summer “Dress It Forward” event, which offered no-cost, gently used (and many brand-new) gowns, dresses, and accessories inside the Two Men And A Truck warehouse in Alexandria.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Farrington Avenue warehouse’s doors were open for the community to browse racks of dresses, shoes, and purses. The event invited young women to select outfits for homecomings, proms, work galas, and other dressy occasions.

According to Ryan Downey, marketing coordinator for Two Men And A Truck, the pop-up style event was the first of its kind at the Alexandria warehouse, though not the company’s first outreach effort. “We partnered with boutiques, local businesses, libraries, and salons, and placed collection boxes across Northern Virginia—in gyms, shops, and even residential properties,” he explained. Among the many contributors were Sara Campbell Boutique, Salon DeZEN, Artistic Artifacts, The Company of Books, The Lucky Knot, and Bethany House. In addition, hundreds of individuals—especially from Alexandria—donated items, creating thousands of options for those who came through on Sunday.

Announcements for “Dress It Forward” were shared on the company’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and promoted on various Northern Virginia social media pages. “At first, we geared it toward students for homecomings and proms,” Downey said. “Eventually, we opened it up to all young women—for job interviews, galas, and professional events. We definitely want this to become an annual tradition at the start of the school year.”

Megan, shopping for her Marine Corps Ball gown, said she heard about the event from her friend Carla, who also attended. Carla had even donated gowns earlier at the Sara Campbell Boutique’s collection box. Megan left with two red gowns, which Mohammadi carefully marked for alterations.

Kayla Glicker, head of sales and marketing for Two Men And A Truck, said she was thrilled Mohammadi volunteered. “We sent out emails to every tailor we could find in Alexandria,” she said. “Often, alterations are more expensive than the dress itself. For him to donate his skills was incredibly generous. Some of these gowns will take a lot of time to alter.”

For Mohammadi, the decision was simple. After immigrating from Afghanistan a year and a half ago, he opened his tailoring business in Old Town following a 24-year career abroad. As young women stepped from the makeshift fitting room holding up long hemlines for his attention, he patiently measured and pinned.

“Why not? It’s my pleasure,” he said with a smile. Dressed impeccably in a dark suit, he added a touch of elegance to the warehouse’s concrete surroundings. “When I came to America, so many people helped me. This community was warm and welcoming. I learned from them—and now I can give back.”