During prom season, Twin Cities teenagers are striving to get just the right look for the big dance. Here are the ensembles some students at Coon Rapids High School's prom came up with, what they were inspired by and where they got their dresses or tuxes. Note: After the first song, shoes are optional.
PRINCESS LOOK
Mariah Kraatz-Rimkus, senior
Dress: $550, from Glitz.
Why: "I wasn't planning to get pink, but it's the princess dress you always think you're going to wear."
BLACK SWAN
Megan Bender, senior
Dress: $128 from uniquevintage.com.
Why: "I was so inspired by the movie's mysteriousness and darkness and yet the elegance."
FIT TO BE TIED
Amos Duckworth, junior
Tuxedo: $119 rental from Men's Wearhouse.
Why: "I don't really like bow ties and it matches my date."
HIGH-LOW HEMS
Callie Kowalenko, junior
Dress: $294 from Angelique's Bridal Salon in Blaine.
Why: "I thought it was ugly when I saw it, but when I put it on, it was so unique."
VIVID ACCESSORIES
Greg Siganos, senior
Tux: Vest, shirt and tie rented from Men's Wearhouse, Dickies skinny work pants and Converse shoes from his closet.
Why: "I don't like the baggy pants look."
Lauren Hill, senior
Dress: $180, custom-made via eBay, homemade necklace and her mom's earrings.
Why: "My date's favorite color is yellow."
SHORT AND SWEET
Khalia Jackson, senior
Dress: $281, from a website.
Why: She looked for a Cinderella dress, but couldn't find one. "I'm going to go drop my shoe and see if someone random picks it up."
Marquetta Cooper, senior
Dress: $350, from Sherri Hill from www.sherrihill.com.
Why: "I wanted to go short because everyone else goes long."
RIGHT BRIGHTS
Sarah Marcus, senior
Dress: $419 from Sew Perfect Bridal Formalwear in Fergus Falls, Minn.
Why: "I had the idea of a blue dress, shaped to me, but I ended up with hot pink and foofy."
WILD PRINTS
Maddy Goodin, freshman at Jefferson High School
Dress: $150, B. Darlin from Macy's Mall of America.
Why: "It's fun and colorful. I saw it and fell in love with it."
MNFashion Week The annual celebration of local fashion is coming up on April 15. Here are some highlights among the stylish events that surround it. See full calendar on mnfashionweek.com.
Ma Vie En Plastique: This show puts beauty first with the talents of Pearson Knight of PK Hair, who has worked at New York Fashion Week, and makeup by Smart and Chic. You'll see spring collections from Parc Boutique, GH2, I Like You, martinpatrick3, Bethany Lorelle, Gail Lewis and Salima Yahya.
7 to 10 p.m. Fri., Aloft Hotel, 900 Washington Av. S., Mpls., $10 tickets at the door.
The MNFashion Shows: The organization that produces Voltage has added two more nights of shows to the roster, including CounterCouture and George Moskal (April 13) and Kevin Kramp and Emma Berg (April 14). You can buy a ticket to one or both productions and shop all four designers at a special trunk show.
7 p.m., April 13 and 14, 79 13th Av. NE., Mpls., tickets start at $20, mnfashionweek.com. Trunk show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 16, same location.
Thursday
Monique Lhuillier ready-to-wear trunk show: You can purchase fashions for fall 2011 looks straight off the runway. Through Sat., 3928 W. 50th St., Mpls., 612-929-0747, www.moniquelhuillier.com.
Friday
C'est Chic first anniversary celebration: The boutique that celebrates French style in Minneapolis will be having drawings and events all weekend. On Sat., meet the head designer for Eva Tralala (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), watch a fashion show (1 p.m.) and learn how to cook crepes. Through Sun., 212 3rd Av. N., Mpls., 612-339-1600, www. cestchicboutique.com.
Local designer open house: See the latest creations from kjurek couture and Amanda Christine. 7 to 9 p.m., Cliché, 2403 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-870-0420, www.clichempls.com.
Saturday
Shop and Walk to Wellness: The Uptown Association has teamed with the American Heart Association to encourage walking. The event also includes discounts at local businesses. The first 200 participants will receive gift bags and pedometers. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Calhoun Square, 3001 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., www.calhounsquare.com.
Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177 sglassman@startribune.com
In heated western Minn. GOP congressional primary, outsiders challenging incumbent
Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame: A class-by-class list of all members
This retired journalist changed professional wrestling from Mankato
