The owners and staff of Upscale Antiques are proud to sponsor a collective effort in Tipton County to start a local “Angel Gowns” ministry.

This is an existing nation wide program. This endeavor gives brides and families the opportunity to gift a dress that has special meaning in their lives, and give it an entirely new and special meaning to a family that has just experienced the tragic loss of their young child; especially those born prematurely in which clothing options are extremely difficult to find.

Local seamstress, Jennifer Elam, heads up our volunteer sewing team.

Upscale Antiques will be the donation site for brides, families or businesses to drop off donations. We will coordinate with the sewing team to repurpose these gowns into beautiful baby clothes for both boys and girls.

All gowns are accepted; bridal, prom, special occasion dresses... Any color... new or vintage. Even stained or torn gowns may be used. The lining, buttons, pearls and appliqués all can be put to use.

Men’s wedding vests, cumber-bands, pocket hankies, etc. may also be used.

Baby gowns, blankets, and bonnets are also recreated from these original bridal dresses and veils.

Baby gowns are made in various sizes to fit preemie and up.

Other donations of thread, Velcro, bridal satin materials, ribbons, beads, lace, etc. will be accepted as well. Money donations are also accepted for cleaning and packaging costs.

If you know someone that wants to help the sewing team, please contact us. So if you know sewing circles looking for a project, we would love to include them!

We also accept knitted caps and blankets. If you would like to donate items or just yarn, that can be dropped off as well! Think tiny! 1 to 3 lbs!! Sizing charts are posted on our Facebook page.

Donations may be dropped off at Upscale Antiques located on the Historic Court Square in Covington. 107 Pleasant Ave.

We do have a simple donor form to fill out so we can keep record of the items donated. We like to send a scrap of material back to dress donor as a keepsake when we are done recreating with your material.

We will send gowns to local and regional hospitals as the demand grows. Donation sites include Le Bonheur, multiple Methodist locations, and Regional One in Memphis.

We appreciate you helping us grow this endeavor.

You may contact Angela Wallace or Wayne Rhodes at Upscale Antiques if you have additional questions.