Start thinking prom

A sure sign it's time to start thinking about prom: a weekend full of prom dress trunk and fashion shows.

The first show starts Friday at SoHo Clothing in Cameron Village in Raleigh. The store is having a two-day trunk show of Betsey Johnson dresses that are perfect for proms or winter formals, says store owner Martha Parks.

Expect to see a varied collection of Betsey Johnson's longer gowns and shorter cocktail dresses sent in for the event. The shorter dresses are what many people have come to expect with Betsey Johnson -- full of whimsy and fun. The longer dresses, however, are much quieter, Parks says.

It should be a good show. In September at New York Fashion Week, Betsey Johnson had a prom-themed runway show that featured plenty of tutu dresses, tulle minis and exaggerated bouffant dresses, spanning styles from the '50s to the '00s.

Parks says all girls who show up before 5 p.m. on Saturday can try their luck in a raffle to win a free Betsey Johnson dress.

Prom dress shopping continues Sunday in what looks to be the area's first prom show.

A Bridal World is throwing the afternoon event, which will include a series of prom dress fashion shows. Show organizers have ordered more than 200 prom gowns for the show, so prom-goers can look at dresses to get ideas and even order one they like.

Lucie Winters, the dress buyer at A Bridal World, says no one will be left out this prom season. Designers have created a wide range of choices, rich in glitz and color, including copper, bronze, gold and jewel-toned gowns. Also expect to see plenty of iridescent taffeta, curve-hugging charmeuse and smooth jersey gowns.

"Every company now comes out with a little bit of everything," she says.

One of the biggest silhouettes this year is the fit and flare mermaid gown that hugs at the hips and flares at the bottom. Halter and strapless gowns also remain among the most popular choices for teens, Winters says.

The show runs from 2 to 5 p.m. at Dee Jays Event Center on Beacon Lake Drive in Raleigh.

Cost of admission is three canned goods and $3, or $6 at the door, to benefit the Raleigh Rescue Mission.

Out and about

Check out the latest in street fashion from cultures around the world Saturday at the Blamo fashion show, featuring graphic designs and screen printing from young designers at SeeSaw Studio in Durham. The show runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hayti Heritage Center on Old Fayetteville Street. Admission is free. Find out more at www.seesawstudio.org. ... Looking for Scout & Molly's at North Hills? You might want to look across the street. The women's clothing boutique has moved in with its sister store, Walk. The two stores owned by Lisa Disbrow joined up last week in a bigger space that includes the Walk shoe store space and the old Floral Accents (formerly Beanie + Cecil) space.