The flash night of the proms!

Stretch limos, fairy tale dresses and f ive-star hotels... it’s all a far cry from the old school disco

ONCE upon a time, the only thing bouncing off the walls at a school disco was hormones. Now you need extreme survival skills just to fight your way through the throng of stretch limousines in the car park.

Forget the old-fashioned dance – Scotland has been swept by prom mania. Inspired by US television programmes and movies such as Glee and High School Musical, not to mention the lavish lifestyle on display in Keeping Up with the Kardashians, today’s sixth-year pupils – and even primary sevens – are demanding more from their end-of-year celebrations.

Plastic cups of fruit punch on trestle tables are firmly out. Think chocolate fountains in five-star hotels and function suites, complete with red carpet.

Estimates show that proms in the UK now cost parents £90 million a year – with dresses £220 on average.

Over the past decade, one businesswoman who has benefited from the prom boom is Sarah Wilson, proprietor of Lilian Rose Boutique, near Irvine, Ayrshire. She converted a barn into a three-storey fairy tale fashionista experience, complete with chandeliers, for those willing to pay from £200 to £700 for a dress they may wear once.

Ms Wilson, a former teacher, said: ‘They just want a “wow” dress that will work for them and they are influenced by what Kylie Jenner and the Kardashians wear, or what they might see on Love Island or on local fashion blogs.

‘Prom dresses are unique and different from graduation dresses. They tend to be more fairy tale-style dream dresses. This year there’s been lots of tulle, vintage tones and blush nudes.

‘The cut is backless with a plunging neckline, not cleavage, but with perhaps crystals coming down and a very fitted bodice.

‘Some might wear the dresses again if they can cut them up or make them into a top.’

Ms Wilson added that things can get pretty emotional as dresses are chosen – and tears of joy can turn to tears of sadness if young ‘promzillas’ find their dream dress has already been picked.

Clyde 1 DJ Cassi was booked to provide entertainment at one prom and was astounded by the extravagance.

She said: ‘I was asked to present awards at a prom in Glasgow’s Oran Mor. The guys were suited and booted and there were giant lit-up letters spelling “prom’’ and helium balloons.

‘There were linen tablecloths, singing waiters and waitresses and a lit-up dance floor – it looked more like a wedding or red carpet bash.’

Promzillas can find their dream dress has already been picked