The best runway show in Chicago, period, comes courtesy of the School of the Art Institute. On May 2nd, 90 students will participate in the fast-paced event, which will include behind-the-scenes tours of the department’s new home at the Louis Sullivan Center (36 S. Wabash Ave., 7th floor). “We’ll have the millinery room with the hats on exhibit with sketches, and the shoe lab where all of the shoes are designed,” says Nick Cave, chair of the fashion department. “The audience will be able to experience how ideas are created.” Tickets are $50 (312-559-1212; ticketmaster.com). On May 14th, students at Columbia College Chicago (1000 S. Wabash; 312-344-6600) mount their own show around the color purple. Tickets range from $35 to $60.

Sketch: Art Institute Senior Elyse Kutka