Plan to see Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue in plenty of red this weekend, not her traditional blue.

On Wednesday Perdue showed sketches of the red beaded ball gown she plans to wear to Friday’s inaugural ball and the red suit she’ll wear to the swearing-in ceremonies on Saturday, Samantha Thompson Smith reports.

Both pieces were created by dress designer Lynda Narron Bunn, who owns Lynda's Couture in Bailey.

For the first time, North Carolinians won't see a black tux on the governor at the inauguration. Perdue is the first female governor.

Bunn and Perdue have worked together for the past four years. Bunn made Perdue’s gown and suit for the last inaugural ceremonies in 2005 and later created all of the suits Perdue wore on the campaign trail.

Perdue says the gown, which is made from a beaded double-layer silk chiffon, is a favorite of hers. It has a number of stand-out features, including a sheer organza bodice with long sleeves, a heavily jeweled collar band and cuffs and a full apron in the back.

After the inaugural weekend, the dress will go to the N.C. Museum of History so it can eventually be put on display.