Need a fancy frock for a night or two? Sisters Suzanne Sheppard, left, and Josée Virgo have 50 dresses to rent. For example, it will cost you $300 a night to 'borrow' the grey satin trapeze dress, above. You might have seen it on the runway because it's an Alexander McQueen creation.

Two Orléans sisters are renting out the chic outfits in their closet to area fashionistas. Josée Virgo and Suzanne Sheppard are behind Kenlan's Closet, a retail boutique where customers can browse for swanky cocktail dresses and gowns -- for rent. "Who doesn't want to look fabulous without spending a fortune?" asks Virgo. "We are offering women the opportunity to wear designer clothing without paying designer prices. They get to re-invent themselves for the night by wearing something they might never otherwise buy."

A peek inside Kenlan's Closet reveals 50 dresses in sizes from 0 to 14 that can be worn to parties, galas, weddings or simply for an evening out on the town. Designer labels include Vera Wang, Alexander McQueen, Badgley Mischka, Michael Kors, Nicole Miller, Emilio Pucci and many more.

"We have everything from a simple little black dress for a house party to long, flowy gowns that can be worn to a lavish red carpet affair," says the 32-year-old Virgo.

The pair has made several trips to New York City and Montreal and expect to double their stock by spring. Accessories such as clutches, Coach handbags and jewelry are available for rent or purchase. They describe their taste as contemporary and simple chic with lots of colour. A glance around their cosy showroom spots classy dresses in magenta, navy, purple, silver and sparkly sequins hanging neatly on hangers.

Virgo, a real estate lawyer with two daughters who lives in Navan, and Sheppard, a newly married teacher, wanted a venture where the two could spend time together. "The whole idea came together quickly," Virgo says. "I wanted something special to wear to a wedding in October. I never wear a dress more than twice." Shortly afterward, Virgo watched a news item about two Toronto women who were behind Hush Couture, a similar venture, and thought it was a fabulous idea. "I scoured websites in Ottawa and didn't find anything else like this or in Montreal. I thought it would be fun and canvassed friends and family."

At the moment, the sisters have no dresses made by a Canadian designer, but Virgo hopes to change that by featuring a different local designer each month, with a short bio on the artist. They also plan to contact prom committees at local high schools in the next few weeks to promote their services and to offer "group viewings" of the dresses and gowns in their collection.

For more information, call 613-897-9643 or visit http://www.kenlanscloset.ca