In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, a special contest grants a Texas teen her dream gown and surprises the three runners-up with their own fairytale transformations.
For many young Latinas, the quinceañera is not just another birthday—it’s a cultural milestone, a rite of passage from girlhood to womanhood celebrated with family, friends, and tradition. At the heart of this celebration is one key element: the dress.
This year, Princesa by Ariana Vara, a premier brand in the quinceañera fashion world, brought one Texas girl's quinceañera fantasy to life in an extraordinary way. As the grand prize winner of the brand’s nationwide Quinceañera Contest, Breanna, a teenager from Texas, traveled to New York City for an all-expenses-paid, four-day trip to choose her dream gown at the Mon Cheri Bridals showroom, home to the Princesa by Ariana Vara collection. Her unforgettable experience culminated in selecting a custom gown fit for royalty.
But Breanna wasn't the only one to feel like a princess. In an unexpected twist, Princesa by Ariana Vara surprised three runners-up by gifting them their exquisite gowns, extending the magic to more girls and proving the transformative power of this cultural tradition.
A Contest that Sparked Excitement
Earlier this year, Princesa by Ariana Vara launched its Quinceañera Contest, offering a dream prize: a chance to visit New York City, select a gown from the Mon Cheri showroom, and receive a $1,000 quinceañera celebration allowance. The contest generated excitement nationwide, with girls from across the U.S. submitting entries, eager to experience the fairytale moment that every quinceañera represents.
Breanna, the contest’s grand prize winner, stood out not just for her enthusiasm but also for her commitment to her heritage. On September 27, she arrived in New York with three generations of her family—women who symbolized the unity and strength at the core of Latino culture. Her special day was spent exploring the world of high fashion and selecting the gown that would define her upcoming quinceañera, which is set to take place in March 2025.
“She was radiant. Watching her find the perfect dress was an emotional moment for all of us,” said Perla G. Jio, Senior Sales Development Executive at Mon Cheri Bridals, the parent company of Princesa by Ariana Vara. “It wasn’t just about choosing a gown—celebrating tradition, family, and the passage into adulthood.”
Making More Girls Feel Like Royalty
The response to the contest was so overwhelming that Princesa by Ariana Vara decided to extend the magic. Three runners-up, selected from the pool of finalists, were also treated to a fairytale ending: each received a custom gown, ensuring that their quinceañera moments would be just as memorable.
“We are dedicated to making young girls feel like true royalty on one of the most important days of their lives,” explained Jio. “While only one girl could win the grand prize, we wanted to ensure other participants could have their own magical experiences. By gifting gowns to these girls, we honored their individual journeys and the cultural significance of the quinceañera.”
The dresses, each designed to reflect the personality and style of the girls who would wear them, were far more than just garments. For each recipient, they represented a transformative moment in their lives—a tangible symbol of the transition from girlhood to adulthood in the eyes of their families and communities.
A Symbol of Culture and Tradition
The quinceañera tradition, a long-standing cultural celebration in Latino communities, holds deep meaning. Marking a young woman’s fifteenth birthday, it’s a coming-of-age event that ties together family, faith, and community. The gown, often an elaborate, princess-like creation, serves as the centerpiece of the celebration, embodying the grace, individuality, and beauty of the girl wearing it.
For Princesa by Ariana Vara, creating these gowns is an honor. “We understand how central the gown is to a quinceañera,” says Jio. “It’s more than just fashion—it’s part of a rite of passage, a tradition that binds families together and connects generations.”
The brand has long been known for its attention to detail and dedication to quality, with each gown intricately designed using luxurious fabrics and hand-placed embellishments. Princesa by Ariana Vara has earned its place as a trusted name in quinceañera fashion by blending timeless elegance with contemporary trends, always with an eye on preserving the cultural importance of this event.
Extending the Legacy
As Breanna and the runners-up prepare for their respective quinceañeras, each girl will step into her moment of transformation—wearing a gown that represents her unique journey into womanhood. The experience has left an indelible mark not only on the contest winners but also on their families, who see these gowns as symbols of heritage, pride, and cultural legacy.
Breanna’s quinceañera is scheduled for March 2025, and she will undoubtedly be the belle of the ball, making her grand entrance in a gown that reflects both her personal style and the centuries-old tradition she represents.
For Princesa by Ariana Vara, this contest is more than just a celebration of fashion. It is a celebration of identity, of family, and of the powerful connection between a young girl’s dreams and her cultural roots. The contest may have ended, but its impact will resonate for years to come.
As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, Princesa by Ariana Vara remains a powerful reminder that the quinceañera is not just about one day—it’s about generations of family, faith, and culture woven together in a moment that lasts a lifetime.