Love at First Sight

By Rachel Jiang
Contributing Author
Photos courtesy of Rachel Jiang
A "find" at the Consignment Shop.

I’m a rising Junior at Emory University!  I picked up ballroom dancing in my freshman year of college and have fallen in love with the sport since.  With Emory’s ballroom team, I’ve had the opportunity to perform for large audiences, organize balls, and travel across the country to attend collegiate competitions.

Walking into the 2025 National DanceSport Championships, I immediately noticed the consignment store in the corner of the venue.  I’ve always loved watching Professional ballroom dancers glide across the stage adorned in their beautiful dresses, so I couldn’t resist and visited the store between one of my rounds.  I immediately fell in love with the blue dress, and it fit me perfectly.  My favorite part of the dress, and what I think makes it so unique, is the lovely orchid detailing paired with the matching arm cuffs.

Paul Weiss, the lady at the consignment store who helped me, was the sweetest and made the entire process incredibly warm and welcoming.  I’ve received so many compliments on my dress, and it has truly made me feel my most confident during competitions!

 

Note from Janet Martin: What makes this dress even more special is that purchasing it supported a greater cause.  The Consignment Shop at Nationals is actually a fundraiser for USA Dance, giving dancers the chance to sell and purchase gently used gowns at reasonable prices while helping to raise money for other important projects and initiatives within the dance community.  It’s a win-win: you can find something beautiful, save money, and support the future of dance.

If you’re attending a competition, check with the organizers.  They may have a consignment shop of their own.  And if you’re headed to the 2026 Nationals in Pittsburgh, March 27-29, don’t miss the USA Dance Consignment Shop!  You might just find your dream dress too.

 

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