Madrina means godmother. A quiet guardian, stepping in at the moment you need it most. Stefanie Lakin chose the name not by accident—but because it captures what she’s been to so many.
A teacher in the West Midlands, Stefanie Lakin saw first-hand how something as simple as a prom dress could become a barrier. One of her pupils, facing difficult circumstances, was ready to miss prom altogether—until Stefanie found her a donated dress. What followed wasn’t just a makeover. It was transformation. Confidence. Belonging. That one act sparked a movement.
In 2022, Stefanie Lakin founded Madrina UK, a grassroots charity offering free prom dresses and suits to young people who might otherwise be left out—disadvantaged pupils, young carers, refugees, and children navigating poverty, trauma or isolation. Since then, Madrina UK has supported nearly 1,000 young people across the West Midlands.
But this isn’t about fashion. It’s about dignity. About showing up for the moments that matter—ones that often pass others by. With the help of volunteers and community donations, Stefanie Lakin creates pop-up prom shops in schools, ensuring each young person is treated not as a case, but as someone worthy of joy, pride, and celebration.
In 2025, Stefanie was recognised with an Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community by the High Sheriff of the West Midlands—a powerful acknowledgement of her compassion in action.
Behind every suit is a story. Behind every dress, a shift in how a young person sees themselves. Stefanie Lakin’s work is a reminder that inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It’s made possible by people who care enough to notice—and act.
Madrina UK isn’t just clothing young people for a night. Stefanie Lakin is helping them walk taller into their future.
