Prom dresses always in fashion – Kansas City Star | Sport Latest News

T hough high school proms are still a few months off, the search has begun for what to wear to the glamorous events.

Several hundred high school students from more than 30 area schools have been making that search a little easier by modeling prom and after-5 wear at two fashion events that benefit school districts, school projects and educational foundations.

The first event has already occurred, but the second one, called “Rock the Runway,” will be Sunday at Overland Park’s Ritz Charles and celebrates the April opening of the Disney movie “Prom.” The fashion show will showcase dresses created by fashion designer Alfred Angelo, some which will be featured in the movie.

Courtney Boedeker, a senior at Lee’s Summit High School, is in the show and modeling for the first time.

“Modeling is a little girl’s dream, so I thought it would be fun,” Boedeker said. “Our ticket sales will help one of our school’s clubs, the FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America), so that makes the whole experience even better.”

Students from high schools in Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Blue Valley, Shawnee Mission, Olathe and Kansas City, Kan., are among the many models in the two shows. Each student has sold at least 10 tickets to the events, with proceeds benefiting projects designated by participating schools. Students also get credit for community service.

Retailer Natalie M has teamed up with students from Olathe North High School’s fashion studio classes to present the fashion shows. Students have selected the dresses and tuxedoes they will be modeling, from Natalie M’s retail location in Overland Park.

Event chairman Barbra Gonzales, the department chairwoman for family and consumer sciences at Olathe North, said her students designed the posters and program covers for the fashion shows and coordinated with other schools as they learned firsthand how to produce a large event.

“Our students are experiencing what it’s like to work in a real fashion atmosphere,” said Gonzales, who also teaches fashion studio classes at Olathe North. “In addition to modeling, they are marketing the show, meeting the designer, staging the show, working with lighting — just a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”

The first show, “Fashion Live,” showcased the latest prom dresses designed by Tony Bowls. This was the second year Olathe North junior Leah Blefko participated in the Tony Bowls fashion show.

“I love seeing the finished product all come together and learning more about the production of a large show like this one,” she said.

Natalie Nearenberg, who opened Natalie M in 1973, said the local prom fashion events are now the largest of their kind in the country.

“We started doing this years ago as a fund-raiser for area schools,” Nearenberg said. “It has grown so much and turned into a great way to help with different high school activities and have some fun at the same time.”

Gonzales said the fashion shows not only allow students to experience an authentic fashion and retail environment but practice skills important in any career.

“Students participating in these shows use communication, organization and teamwork skills,” she said. “It’s a fantastic way to take learning to the next level.”