Donations sought for new formal wear service Dress Up Geraldton, run by Geraldton textile artist Lee Nelson

A community-led service empowering young people with access to free formal wear is calling for community donations before launching the service. Lee Nelson is a 23-year-old artist and business entrepreneur who does not let disability get in the way of her drive for positive change. Dress Up Geraldton is her latest initiative, an all inclusive community-focused support service giving people aged 13 and 25 access to formal wear at no cost. The service will be available to youth in the Greater Geraldton region, including Dongara, Mullewa and Northampton. Ms Nelson’s mission is to remove barriers preventing people from attending formal events through access to evening wear. Dress Up Geraldton plans to operate with a no-questions-asked policy, providing everyone in need of the service an opportunity to feel confident and beautiful at their next event. The community is asked to donate used or unwanted formal wear at Desert Blue Connect. Donations can range from ball dresses, men’s suits and shirts, dress shoes, sandals or heels, accessories, belts and clothing racks and hangers. Desert Blue Connect community initiatives co-ordinator Kieran Rigter said staff at the wellbeing service looked forward to seeing community support grow as donations came through. “Desert Blue Connect are very proud to support this fantastic initiative ... It creates the opportunity for all young people to have memorable experiences while looking and feeling their best,” she said. “We have already received some beautiful gowns and dress shirts to pass along and look forward to seeing this collection grow so please donate if you can.” The Dress Up Geraldton initiative is supported by Shine Geraldton manager Jenna Denton, who is also a councillor at the City of Greater Geraldton. Ms Nelson is an established textile artist and fashion enthusiast, with her art set to appear on the catwalk at Eco Fashion Week later this year. Today, she creates and sells eco-conscious wearable art from thrifted clothing and jewellery through her business Felt Girl.