Shades Valley High School Senior Creates Prom Dress Inspired by Disney Princess
In Irondale, Alabama, a Shades Valley High School Senior, and multi-talented student, Layla Hildreth, has made her fairytale dreams come true this prom season, by designing and sewing her custom-made prom dress by herself. The creation of her fascinating prom dress was inspired by one of her favorite Disney princesses, Princess Tiana.
Creativity and Inspiration
Layla Hildreth is known for her creative abilities and interests and prides herself on being an actress, singer, and now enjoys the title of a dress designer. Layla’s sewing skills are not new, as she has been honing them from an early age, improving significantly since receiving a sewing machine as a gift last year. She started by crafting bags and jackets, until the prom season when she took on the task to customize her enchanting dress.
Layla’s amusement and connection to Princess Tiana go beyond her elegant dress. “She was a big star in her moments; she was very inspirational,” Layla affirmed about the Disney princess. The teenage designer values Princess Tiana’s work ethic and how she was persistent in accomplishing her dreams. “The way that she carried herself, the way that she never gave up, and I feel like the dress really shows how big of a person she is,” she expressed.
Support System
Another critical support system in Layla’s life is her sister, Raven, who she cites as her inspiration and encourages her to reach for the stars. Layla confessed that Raven is always the focus of her role-model-themed pieces, further attesting to the influence Raven has on her. Raven echoed her confidence in Layla’s talents and aspirations, relating that herself and the rest of their family are always ready to support Layla 100% in her pursuits.
Encouragement to Other Young Dreamers
Layla is not restricted to using her experiences and successes for her benefits; she chose to use them as an instrument of encouragement to other young dreamers. She challenges them to pursue their ambitions, despite the odds and critics. “Don’t let anybody tell you what you can and cannot do, because there were plenty of times when people were like, ‘oh you want to do this?’ and I was like ‘yeah, this is what I’m going to do and I’m going to make it,’” she added.
After implementing much effort to realize her dreams, Layla exuded a sense of achievement and a higher sense of confidence. To her, her accomplishment represents her transformation into a princess in her own right, similar to Princess Tiana.
The Future Ahead
Having successfully created her dream prom dress, Layla is looking forward to pursuing more creative ventures as she makes plans to attend Georgia State University in the fall. Her journey so far has served as a testimony of her can-do attitude and determination to turn her dreams into reality.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
