KINGSTON, R.I. -- April 21, 2003 -- With 23 designers and more than 100 outfits, the University of Rhode Island Fashion Merchandising Society’s annual fashion show on April 23 is the biggest and best ever.

To be held at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom, the fashion show features the creations of URI students majoring in textiles, fashion merchandising and design. Admission is $5 for the general public, $4 for students.

This year’s theme is "Stems—design stems from inspiration."

"It’s going to be so much better, because I have never seen so many people working in the sewing lab," said Samnang Yen, a textiles major from Pawtucket. "For the last few weeks, I have been working in the lab until 2 in the morning."

Elizabeth Nelson, a senior from East Providence, who is co-president of the society, said the show will feature the "best stuff ever; it’s all really well thought out. We chose the theme of ‘Stems’ because our ideas and creativity stem from working with each other."

Nelson said most students are completing the finishing touches for their outfits. "This is the best group I’ve ever seen in terms of working together."

With a set that will feature hundreds of silk flowers, the students’ will model clothing lines that reflect whimsy, humor, romance and youthfulness.

For instance, Nelson’s line, "Could’ve been a Couch," uses fabrics and tassels that one might find on furniture.

Designer Kerri Besse, of Pawcatuck, Conn., named her line "Lasso," which features a western theme with cowboy hats and bandannas.

Yen has two of her own lines, "Sammy" and "Peek-a-Boo," and she and a friend Ka Yan Kan, a senior textiles major from East Greenwich, share a line called "Revival."

Senior Danielle Tassone, of Foster, treasurer of the group, is preparing for her last URI fashion show with a line called "Bella" that features three evening gowns.

"The show gets bigger and bigger every year and people who have never sewn before are getting help from more experience sewers, and their confidence grows as well as their talent," Tassone said. "I have been helping two new sewers, Lori Trink and Marnie Safran, and they are very excited about the show."