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Business & Tech

"Betty's Girl" Creates Unique Prom Gowns in Napa

Girls from all over the Bay Area flock to this downtown Napa boutique, where vintage dresses are reborn as one-of-a-kind designs.

At , which relocated last year from First Street to 1144 Main Street, owner Kim Northrop specializes in giving new life to vintage wear.

Using primarily recycled fabrics to restore and renew decades-old styles, Northrop develops custom designs based on pictures and clippings her clients bring in: Her design team is working on more than 45 custom looks for the spring season.

“Last Saturday I had girls from 11 different cities come in and order dresses with me,” she said.

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The design team is also young: all local high school students currently working on senior projects and school internship assignments. (While we’d love to tell you to stop in and apply for a position on the team, there's already a long waiting list).

Interns learn beading, detailing and handwork under Northrop's instruction, while she does all the necessary machine work.

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“Interning here, girls get an opportunity to learn about the elements of designing and re-designing,” said Northrop. “They literally get to deconstruct dresses with me.”

With formal season in full swing -- the prom is April 17, and ’s is April 30 -- Norhrop and her team are filling orders for girls from all over the Bay Area who prefer a more refined look over some of the 2011 trends.

“I don’t do cut-outs, high slits or super low backs,” Northrop said, “but I do flattering styles and classic design.”

Many of the customers flocking to Betty's Girl Boutique this year are looking for one-shoulder looks, hot pinks, magentas, purples, and royal blues; long and flowy dresses with satin and sheer overlays and of course, lots of embellishments—ranging from sequins to rhinestones.

“If I can get away with using 100 percent recycled, materials, great,” Northrop said. “I always try and reuse whatever I can.”

Betty’s Girl Boutique, 1144 Main St., is open Monday through Sunday, 10 to 6 p.m. To reach Betty’s Girl by phone, call (707) 254-7560.

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