This being April, the annual prom dress hunt has begun in earnest. Thousands of teens (reluctantly toting their moms and, more importantly, mom’s plastic) are prowling department stores, formal wear retailers, and pricey boutiques.

That’s what brought us toVera Donna in the Livingston Town Center (www.livingstontowncenter.com), an exclusive boutique of European and American designers that caters to mom, and prom, couture.

Admittedly, not for everyone. Prices are up there ($700 plus for some gowns). But the collection by designer Sherri Hill (www.sherrihill.com/dresses/prom-dresses.php) will get your kid voted Prom Queen.

Our NJ My Way Fashion Editor, Maria Cucciniello of The Hip Event (www.thehipevent.com), pulled out some of the best to show us.

Our favorite dress: a hot pink bodice with a black and white polka dot halter. “Very very Audrey,” the designer’s website exclaims. But there are plenty of other gowns — bold prints, textured fabric, detail like beadwork, metallic trim — to make your daughter’s prom a night to remember.

There are also stunning short dresses for prom or cocktails. Long or short? Your prom dress can be either this year, according to Maria: “The rule is, there are no rules,” she says. The right dress will look beautiful on, and help you make the perfect fashion statement.

Happy hunting!