PROM '93: SHOW TAKES TO THE STAGE ON JAN. 31

Prom '93 takes center stage in a fashion show at the Holiday Inn Holidome on Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. Proceeds go to area high school chapters of Students Against Driving Drunk.

"We have asked area high schools to help us with the fashion show," said Sherry James, president and owner of House of Brides. "We're asking them to do the modeling of the dresses and the tuxedos.

"It will be an areawide show incorporating many of the schools from Illinois and Missouri."

James said that 34 area high schools' home economics departments were sent letters. She said she would like to have two female models and one male model from each school participate.

In addition, proceeds from ticket sales will go directly towards the attending high schools' SADD chapter, James said.

"We choose SADD to receive the proceeds because we don't want students to drink and drive after prom or at any time," James said. "We are opposed to drinking and driving, especially since these kids are underage," she said.

The show will serve as a fund- raiser for each SADD organization, James said. But it will also be a good way for the girls and guys alike to see styles of prom out there, she said.

The tickets are $2.50 and can be purchased at House of Brides or at the door at anytime, James said.

When a student buys a ticket, the name of their school will be put on that ticket, James said.

"We'll keep track of the number of tickets purchased by students from each school," James said. Then, after the show, the schools will be sent a check for the amount of money collected based on the number of tickets sold, James said. "The more students who attend from a school, the more money their SADD chapter will receive," she said.

The fashion show will be approximately one hour long and will contain strictly prom attire, James said. There will be between 40 to 50 dresses modeled and 10 tuxedo styles that are new for spring will be shown, she said.

James said in addition to spring's fashions, Sunny Hill has different ideas for flowers and New Jacks has different ideas for hairstyles, which will be shown.

"We plan to bring in a bracelet corsage, which is something that is new to this area," said Ann Rees, public relations for Sunny Hill. "It is a narrow wrist corsage that goes around the arm with a bracelet of flowers," she said.

The bracelet is less bulky, more comfortable for the girls to wear, Rees said.

Rees said the girls dress differently than they had in the past. "The girls are wearing many more strapless, sequinned dresses, and they can't wear a shoulder corsage, so almost all are going to the wristlets," she said.

"We decided to bring the bracelets in heavy for the prom this year," Rees said. "The bracelet is more expensive because it does goes all the way around the arm with flowers. But the girls can feel pretty and still feminine wearing the new bracelets."

Those attending the show will be able to see the new styles in fashion, flowers and hair for spring, but they will also be eligible to win door prizes to be given away that day, James said. Door prizes include $50 off a dress from House of Brides; a prom dinner for two, a $25 valve, from Victoria's at Holiday Inn; a boutonniere and corsage from Sunny Hill Florist and prom photo of the couple from Neumeyer Photography.

The sponsors of the Prom '93 Show are House of Brides, Sunny Hill Florist, Neumeyer Photography, Holiday Inn, New Jack Styles and Charlie Music Review.