`The gown' puts family, store owner in media spotlight

By Joe Pinchot
Herald Staff Writer

Brenda Carrozzi has started letting the telephone ring without picking it up. Her family is being deluged by calls from media wanting to talk about ``the dress.''

Since Farrell school's decision banning a dress her daughter, Christa, was planning to wear to the prom became public, the phone started ringing Thursday morning and didn't stop.

The school banned the two-piece, blue silk dress because of midriff exposure, said Superintendent John G. Sava, who called the dress inappropriate for the prom.

``We're getting calls from California, Seattle, Florida, Las Vagas,'' said Christa's father, Fred. ``Montel (Williams) called and wants us on TV.''

An agent called and offered to represent Christa, he added.

Television stations from Youngstown and Pittsburgh visited the Carrozzi home and Christine's Formal Wear, Greenville, where Christa bought the dress.

Mrs. Carrozzi said she called Christa at school to warn her that television crews would be waiting for her when she got home.

``She's not happy,'' Mrs. Carrozzi said, before school had let out.

Mrs. Carrozzi's voice has been heard on radio shows all over the United States relating the story of the dress, and she has talked to newspapers from Tampa to Toronto.

``I'm getting sick of it,'' she said of the publicity, adding she's not sure whether to be happy or angry at The Herald for breaking the story Wednesday.

``I can't believe how this has been blown out of proportion,'' Mrs. Carrozzi said. ``I didn't think this thing would be this big.''

Her daughter called the interest ``overwhelming.''

``I knew it was going to be an uproar at school,'' Christa said. ``But I thought that would be it.''

The Associated Press picked up the story and sent a version of it all over the country with The Herald's picture of Christa wearing the dress .

Christine Harrison, owner of Christine's Formal Wear, said big city news organizations are interested in the story because ``it seems so prehistoric.''

Christa said she got a lot of support from classmates for ``not letting the school walk on me.''

But the Farrell High School junior isn't too hot on going to New York to appear on the ``Montel Williams Show.''

``If everything's paid for, I'd go,'' Mrs. Carrozzi said, adding that she likes Williams' show. ``I've never been to New York City.''

``I'm leaving it up to my mom,'' Christa said of the decision.

The only local call Mrs. Carrozzi has received was from a Sharon man who said Christa should be allowed to wear the dress.

Mrs. Harrison said she got a call from a woman who wants to see the dress.

``She said, `That's a great little dress. That would look great on me,' '' Mrs. Harrison said.

Whether it would fit is another matter. It was specially ordered and fitted for Christa.

Mrs. Harrison said that for Christa, ``this should be a prom to remember.''

Christa agreed.

``This will definitely be a keeper,'' she said.

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Updated March 15, 1997.
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