Open for the (Prom) Season

Sparkling sequins, fluffy feathers in shades of neon, lace flowers, every one bedazzled with an assortment of plastic gemstones, and blue leopard print, all on one rack, all destined for the dance floor.

The first month of the New Year is recognized as the unofficial start of prom season. A new Red Bank gown shop has opened on Monmouth Street to fill the need of area high school students who are looking to stand out with unique designs by the time that most teen of traditions rolls around this spring.

Called Rue Royale Couture, owner Lynn Skorenko said the shop and its exclusive designs and dresses is the only thing you’ll find east of Freehold that caters to young women looking for that one dress for any special occasion. And if there’s something you’re looking for, odds are they’ve got it.

“I’ve been in the businesses but I decided I wanted to bring something back home,” Skorenko, an Eatontown resident who has been active in the dress and pageant design world for more than 15 years. “It is a specialty store, that’s what we are, but we cater to everyone.”

And “everyone” isn’t much of a stretch. The shop has got all types of designs and styles of gowns and cocktail dresses ranging from size zero to 28. And if what you see on the main floor – the hundreds of dresses in nearly every prom-style and color you can imagine – isn’t enough, there’s the basement, where Rue Royale has close to a thousand more dresses.

The diversity of the gowns come with price points to match. Prices range from the budget-minded but still fashionable price of a few hundred dollars to as high as $5,000, if that’s what you’re looking to spend.

Rattling off a list of designers Skorenko said girls these days are looking to wear, she also made it clear that what you’ll find at Rue Royale you won’t find anywhere else. Not in Red Bank she said, and not even with competitors throughout the county. Rue Royale even offers custom designs if by chance you don’t find something you like among the near endless stock.

“We carry a lot of designs other stores don’t have,” she said. “We have a variety that really you can’t find anywhere else.”

Skorenko signed the lease for the new store in November and spent the next couple of months bringing it back to a useable standard. She’s also traveled to places like New York and Las Vegas to find the hottest fashions.

Skorenko brought her friends along to help, too. Any time you walk into the shop you’ll find a stylist or design expert – all of them already living in nearby communities like Middletown and Fair Haven – ready to help you find what you need. Rue Royale also counts among its staff a pageant style coach, too.

“It’s a family store and we all have a lot of fun,” she said. “We just love everyone.”

Rue Royale Couture is located at 24 Monmouth St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information or to schedule an after hours appointment call 732-758-0224 or visit www.rueroyalecouture.com.