Federal Way boutique offers dresses for all women

The Empress Suite hopes to break down barriers.

By Keelin Everly-Lang • June 16, 2024 7:30 am

Sparkling gowns and pageant winners filled new shop The Empress Suite on Saturday, June 8, in Federal Way.

The floor-length evening gowns represent a longtime goal for shop owner Amber Bruce to make sure more people can access the same opportunities that competing in pageants has given her. At The Empress Suite, that all starts with dresses ranging in size from a 00 to a size 24.

Bruce is a four-time Miss Congeniality Winner of Miss Washington USA and Ms. North America World Ambassador.

“I have spent over a decade competing in pageants with in-person shopping options being few and far between in the Pacific Northwest for the designer gowns that are popular in pageantry,” Bruce shared. “Sprinkle that I am a size 16/18 on top and those options dwindle even further.”

Located at 32020 1st Ave. S., #102, the boutique isn’t just for pageant community — although she said she appreciates the opportunity to support the community she loves so much. The shop will be a home for everything from prom dresses to quincenera looks to gala designs.

Tasha Mae attended the store launch and said when she won Miss Plus America 15 years ago, her only options for pageant looks were to custom order gowns or shop at unfashionable bridal supply stores.

“It impacts how you carry yourself, your confidence,” Mae said.

Mae runs a nonprofit called Advocacy Queen that helps advocate for those who desperately need resources and services, like those who are low income and facing other systemic barriers. She also focuses on teaching people how to speak up for themselves.

She said she has been doing this work for many years and has been talking about it to everyone she could. It wasn’t until she started doing pageants that she really saw traction.

“No one would listen to me, but put on a crown and some heels and suddenly everyone wants an interview and to know what I think,” Mae said.

Pageant contestants and community members gathered to celebrate the Federal Way store’s opening and try on sparkling gowns. They were all floor length and sparkled with vivid colors.

Michele Handfield tried on her first evening gown at the launch: “As a trans woman, it’s unusual to feel welcome. … It’s a world that I don’t know but I can appreciate.”

As she admired the vision of herself in gold and silver sequins in one of the gowns, Handfield got tips from Mae on how to walk in a dress with a train.

Sharon Gentry, owner of the workout facility Curves next door , said she finds a lot of alignment in what Bruce wants to contribute to her community through The Empress Suite.

Gentry does this through her gym, but said stores like The Empress Suite that give women access to clothes that make them feel confident and beautiful gets at the same goal.

“We’re not trying to make Barbie dolls,” Gentry said. “We’re trying to make strong, healthy women.”

“All women are beautiful, not all women are healthy,” Gentry said. She supports every woman improving her health through exercise to “have the confidence and energy to do whatever they want to do.”

Jerica Huang, Graceson Mahongi and Tasha Mae in evening gowns at The Empress Suite. The store is located at 32020 1st Ave. S., #102, Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror