As the first signs of spring emerge, prom season takes over the minds of high schoolers nationwide. However, for senior Neela Lerma and junior Peyton York the big night doesn’t just mean picking out a new dress, they get to model the dresses themselves.

York and Lerma both hold the title of Z Girl for the local dress boutique, Z Couture. In their position, they serve as models and social media ambassadors, representing the store on a volunteer basis.

“My favorite part is definitely the fashion and the social media because it’s very much connected,” Lerma said. “Every time you try something on, you’re taking photos in it, and everything’s just so pretty too, and glittery. It’s hard not to like a dress.”

Neither Lerma or York have modeled in the past, but both admitted they’ve wanted to for years. Now each has done two to four official photo shoots for Z Couture.

“I enjoy that it’s something different for me,” York said. “I’ve done sports and other things my whole life, and this is something that’s always been interesting, but I’ve never done it.”

The girls’ journey began in December of 2024 when they were selected to model and represent Z Coutures’ 2025 prom collection. York initially stumbled across the opportunity online, and Lerma followed suit after seeing York reveal it on Instagram.

“If you want to get into modeling, I suggest just being yourself and putting yourself out there, to take risks,” York said. “Originally, I had no intentions of even applying or getting the role, and then I got it.”

As part of the girls’ contract, they are required to create a certain number of stories, reels, and posts pertaining to Z Couture on their own Instagram accounts. They are also posted on the boutique’s Instagram, @zcouturedresses.

“I think we all help contribute to any content creation or promotion they need,” Lerma said. “We help showcase how the dresses look in real life and to promote the store.”

The modeling process revealed itself to be much simpler than the girls expected, each girl doing their own hair and makeup. The girls collaborate with a photographer who captures them wearing different dresses sold at Z Couture.

“It’s honestly fun,” York said. “It’s not as nerve wracking as I thought it would be. My first time going into a photo shoot, I was very nervous. Then I realized that everyone was feeling similar, and there wasn’t anything to be scared about.”

Traditional modeling consists of several different styles, such as runway and commercial modeling, but social media has arisen as a new platform for models, and for designers to show their collections. The Z Couture Instagram has 62,000 followers.

“I’ve learned from the experience to have fun with it, and  not stress about everything,” Lerma said. “I think it’s helped with confidence, hearing all the girls hype me up when trying on dresses, and reassuring me that it looks amazing.”

To highlight their models and dresses further than just in planned photo shoots, Z Couture features and posts photos from the girls own prom experiences, as they are usually wearing dresses sourced from the boutique.

“I think being a Z Girl has been really helpful in prom preparation because it has given me so many opportunities to see new dresses and learn about the variety of styles and designers,” Lerma said. “It makes me excited to see what everyone else picks out.”

 Z Couture labels itself as “the largest store in central Texas” with over 3,000 dresses in store. The styles ranging from prom and homecoming to pageants and formal occasions. Lerma and York model exclusively prom dresses for the 2025 season and have had nothing but positive reviews of the gowns.

“It’s just fun to play dress up,” Lerma said. “I get to put on a dress and pretend like it’s mine for a few minutes. All the girls there are so sweet and supportive.”

While the main concept of the Z Girl program is a collaboration of modeling, fashion, and social media, the topic that both Lerma and Peyton repeatedly returned to was the camaraderie they felt within the Z Girl community and when working with other teenage girls. 

“They’re all really sweet,” Lerma said. “I’ve never had a bad experience with any of them, and they all help everyone try on dresses, and it’s like a fun little ‘girls get ready,’ and then when taking photos, everyone’s screaming, hyping each other up.”

Another member of the Z Girl team is Leander High school senior Kristyn Ruthven, who works at Z Couture as a stylist, since she enjoyed her Z Girl experience so much. According to Ruthven, as a stylist, she picks out girls’ dream dresses and gets to be involved with their prom.

“Communities of women, like the Z Girl community, are important because they provide a safe space for women to connect, share experiences, and support one another,” Ruthven said. “This sense of belonging can be crucial for personal growth.”

There are a total of 22 members of the Spring 2025 Z Girls, some of who are returners. Most Z Girls are juniors and seniors, but applications are open to all high schoolers.

“Neela and Peyton are a joy to work with,” Ruthven said. “They are very sweet and outgoing girls that are nothing but fun to be around.”

Although neither York or Lerma plan to pursue a full-time career in modeling, both acknowledge the growth they’ve experienced and the doors that have opened as a result of being a Z-girl. Lerma is heading to college for business and interior design, while York is more openly considered participating in modeling during college.

“I think modeling as a career would be fun, getting to dress up in all different styles,” Lerma said. “However, I would feel very stressed working in an industry that is mainly looks-based.”

Outside of modeling, the girls participate in vastly different extracurriculars, in which they juggle with modeling obligations. York is mainly involved in the Bowie cheer team and Lerma works a separate job than Z Couture and is in the sculpture class at Bowie.

“I hope that this experience gives Neela and the other girls the opportunity to build their confidence while having fun and making new friends,” Neela’s mother Sangeeta Lerma said.

Being a Z Girl has been an almost undefinable role for the girls, encompassing fashion, modeling, social media, and girlhood. Its a new experience, but Neela and York are already making connections and friendships.

“I think being a Z Girl is important because it shows a lot about your character,” York said. “I’ve never met a mean person within the program. It’s a very happy environment and I think that’s important.”