A runway show is the highest level at which fashion can do, says Robin Verhage-Abrams, associate professor in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.

Next month, 13 students from the Sam Fox School — home to the nation’s oldest four-year fashion design program — will go up to that challenge with the school’s 81st Annual Fashion Design Show.

Titled Fashion & Flash, the fully composed, Paris-style extravaganza will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in the university’s Holmes Lounge. Tickets are $65 for common seating, or $50 for students with a legal student ID. Tickets are obtainable through the Edison Theatre Box Office, (314) 935-6543, though a limited number also will be available at the door.

Holmes Lounge is situated in Ridgely Hall, on the western side of Brookings Quadrangle, near the intersection of Hoyt and Brookings Drives. A reception will lead the show, at 7 p.m., under the Ridgely portico, doors will unlock at 7:30 p.m.

GARNER, Iowa — An Iowa teen is all cheerful over her one-of-a-kind high school prom dress she made out of gum wrappers.

Elizabeth Rasmuson prepared her dress – and matching vest for her date – out of blue and white wrappers from Wrigley’s “5 gum.” The high school junior says she got the thought after hearing about someone making a dress out of duct tape.

She and her boyfriend began gathering gum wrappers last August, Rasmuson says she quit counting after 200.

Since the wrappers break simply, Rasmuson finished her dress with a vinyl top coat.