For my entire life, I have loved fashion and fancy dresses. Creating this dress was especially fun, because I was able to make my own design, using my favorite colors and unique materials such as real flowers. Honestly, I didn't really have a specific inspiration, just a lot of styles and ideas thrown together.
Stuck At Prom
Lilley
M.
11
Rolls
53
Hours
Inspiration:
I knew Duck Tape, as a medium, would not stretch or drape like typical fabric. So, I decided to embrace the tape and lean in to the more structured look. I was inspired by the 1950's and 60's "Retro-future" aesthetic and early 2000's low-poly videogames. This style challenged me to design around my body and embrace my scoliosis.
Stuck At Prom
Riana
S.
13
Rolls
52
Hours
Inspiration:
The song "Kawa no nagare no youni" by Hibari Misora inspired me to make this river dress. The message of the song is that life moves on, and with my graduation being this year, I resonated with the song. The winding rivers across the dress are the different experiences I've gained in high school, and how it will keep pushing me to the future. I added flower accessories inspired by actual flowers that grow in and by the river.
Stuck At Prom
Adam
G.
27
Rolls
42
Hours
Inspiration:
Starting this project, I had no idea on what I wanted the design to look like. I thought of a few other things such as a ring leader, circus tent, or something for my culture but after visiting my grandma’s house I immediately knew what I wanted to do, I wanted to make my suit based off of a cake. My grandma has always been my number one supporter when it comes to baking and so to honor her I loved the idea of making my suit out of duct tape. The overall design is based on a vanilla cake with white frosting layers with pink frosting on top that is then topped with sprinkles and chocolate drizzle. I’ve never made this kind of cake before but it has been one of my dream cakes.
Stuck At Prom
Shagun
A.
29
Rolls
45
Hours
Inspiration:
My inspiration for this dress came from wanting to honor my Indian heritage while celebrating the bright, joyful colors of spring and summer. I’ve always loved the elegance of a traditional lehenga, so I wanted to create something that felt lehenga‑inspired but still original and bold. Flowers have always reminded me of the beauty and energy of the seasons I love most, and butterflies felt like the perfect symbol of movement, transformation, and life. Combining all of that with a dramatic black base allowed the colors to shine even more, turning the dress into a vibrant garden that reflects both my culture and my personality.
Stuck At Prom
Nehemiah
B.
6
Rolls
49
Hours
Inspiration:
My design is inspired by the television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a cultural story about a teen who leaves behind a difficult environment and discovers a new world of possibilities. While that narrative inspired the visual concept, the true story behind this outfit is deeply personal and completely real. You will see a Prom King with a crown, vibrant colors, and confidence enough to wear his blazer inside out. What you may not immediately see is the journey that earned me Prom King status.
My transformation became the foundation of this design. Every detail tells a piece of my story. The crown represents perseverance rather than privilege. The blazer turned in-side out like in the sitcom, symbolizes confidence and self-worth. The bold colors in the shoe design represent how I continue to walk in hope, opportunity, and a future no longer limited by circumstances. Even the material itself carries meaning. Duct tape is designed to strengthen, repair, and hold things together. In many ways, it mirrors the people who helped shape my journey. Family members, mentors, teachers, coaches, and friends became the support system that helped rebuild what life had tried to tear apart. They did not erase my struggles, but they helped me discover my strength.
Stuck At Prom
Summer
A.
14
Rolls
46
Hours
Inspiration:
When making this dress, I was inspired by art history. I took my inspiration for the patterns on the skirt and bodice from stained glass windows on historical cathedrals. The classic rose window inspired my headpiece, as well as the designs on the main skirt panel. The color scheme of my dress was also heavily inspired by stained glass. My art is often inspired by architecture, specifically cathedrals/places of worship, and I think it is a good way to honor past art while creating your own.
Stuck At Prom
Layla
Y.
14
Rolls
77
Hours
Inspiration:
Perseverance has been my main inspiration. The journey to arrive here began three summers ago when I designed my first Stuck At Prom dress. I’ve been submitting every year since then because I love art and giving up just isn’t for me. Since this is the last time I can participate in this competition, I had decided to include homages to each of my past submissions into today’s dress. The shimmery element and detailed straps are a nod to my first outfit. And the rhombus pattern, stain glass window design, and masquerade theme are tributes to my second. The gardenia on my mask was inspired by my biggest hero, my mom, because it’s her favorite flower. The orchid and cherry blossoms were influenced by my Asian heritage. Incorporating the variety of features and details from my past and present has shaped the design you see today.
I have given my all into this dress, especially knowing this is my last time. It has been an absolute joy all these years to brainstorm and craft together an outfit I can truly be proud of. Thank you Stuck At Prom for this amazing opportunity.
Stuck At Prom
Maki
M.
11
Rolls
42
Hours
Inspiration:
My inspiration was the monarch butterfly. I chose this butterfly because I have always admired its beauty. These butterflies are so recognizable in nature and have a gracefulness that fills you with awe when you see them fly by. I wanted to base my dress off of something I was fond of, and these butterflies have always been a fascination of mine.
Stuck At Prom
Mason
S.
11
Rolls
29
Hours
Inspiration:
My biggest inspiration for this outfit was my father, who was the one to inform me of this scholarship opportunity. He works as a master-custom gunsmith, and consistantly strives to protect the first ammendment rights of those around him. Because of all he does for me, my family, and the people of this country; I decided to go for the most patriotic suit possible!
Stuck At Prom
Daphne
L.
20
Rolls
67
Hours
Inspiration:
I knew that if I was going to make my own prom dress out of duct tape, it had to be puffy and frilly and purple. I’m also a fan of fashion history, so I chose to base my designs off of 1860s ballgowns. Using this as a jumping off point, I created the (duct tape) gown of my dreams. I designed all of the lace patterns and the cameo, and had them cut out of a craft machine. I think my favorite part is the scalloped lace on the bottom of the pink skirt.
Stuck At Prom
madison
r.
9
Rolls
17
Hours
Inspiration:
I received an email and I thought it would be fun to try. I did not know where to start so it was a fun experience figuring it all out.
Stuck At Prom
Katie
C.
19
Rolls
72
Hours
Inspiration:
I wanted to create a dress inspired by Tiffany lamps. My grandma loves them and has a ton around the house. I've always been in awe of the intricate designs. I used a mosaic style to simulate the look of one. With the black duck tape as a background, to imitate the soldering process to make them. It was like a more complicated jigsaw puzzle!
Stuck At Prom
Olivia
C.
11
Rolls
20
Hours
Inspiration:
My dress is inspired by where I come from and where I'm headed. As a Southern girl with a little cowgirl spirit, I wanted a design that felt bold, bright, and completely me. Yellow has always been my favorite color because it can turn an ordinary day into a good one, so I made it the heart of my dress. The layers, movement, and shimmer represent all the dreams, challenges, and opportunities ahead as I get ready for college. This dress is my reminder to keep my boots on the ground while reaching for bigger goals. Every piece was handcrafted from duct tape to show that with creativity, hard work, and determination, you can turn something simple into something unforgettable.
Stuck At Prom
ava
m.
14
Rolls
20
Hours
Inspiration:
The inspiration for my dress stemmed from my love of gothic fashion. I'm drawn to dark elegance, dramatic silhouettes, and intricate details that are characteristic of the gothic style. To bring this vision to life, I carefully shaped and layered duck tape to mimic flowing forms and textures typically seen in gothic fashion. The two and three dimensional emblems helped shape this role even more by capturing the bold and mysterious aesthetic of the style while also showcasing my creativity through an unconventional medium.
Stuck At Prom
Khloe
S.
18
Rolls
53
Hours
Inspiration:
I got a lot of my inspiration from 2000’s prom dresses because I love the style. I took characteristics of multiple dresses and put my own spin on them to create my dress. Additionally, this dress is meant to represent me and my journey in understanding who I am as a person. I incorporated blues and teals not only because they are my favorite colors but also because they represent balance and clarity. Plus, the white lily, a sign of rebirth, symbolizes my personal growth throughout the years. Overall, my dress is simple and elegant while still being original.
Stuck At Prom
Rylee
L.
10
Rolls
45
Hours
Inspiration:
Inspiration article
My Duck tape dress was inspired by my journey toward seeing my own beauty when I was growing up. For a long time, I struggled with self-confidence and often focused on my flaws, doubts, and how pretty others were instead of my own self. During this time, I learned an interesting fact about butterflies: They can’t see their wings. Even though their wings are beautiful and sometimes even jaw-dropping, they are unable to see it for themselves. This reminded me of how many people, including myself, often fail to recognize their own worth and beauty. My dress uses butterfly imagery to symbolize growth, transformation, and self-acceptance. Just as a butterfly changes and becomes something beautiful, I have learned that beauty is not about perfection, but about embracing who you are. Through this design, I hope to encourage others to see themselves the way the people who care about them do- with beauty, strength, and in value.
Stuck At Prom
Mary
V.
13
Rolls
150
Hours
Inspiration:
I was incredibly excited when I saw this competition because I realized it would give me the opportunity to create something truly stunning. Strength and courage have always inspired me, so I set out to design a piece that captures and reflects those qualities. I wanted to create a dress that speaks of strength, elegance, and power while also showcasing beauty and femininity. My goal was to balance these contrasting qualities, creating a design that is both commanding and graceful. I was inspired by the strong women of the past and wanted to bring their strength into this piece. Throughout history, many women have shown incredible courage, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. I wanted this dress to serve as a tribute to their strength, perseverance, and the sacrifices they made to pave the way for future generations.
Gabriella
S.
Tucson, Arizona
Lilley
M.
Garber Haigh School
Essexville, Michigan
Riana
S.
Novi, Michigan
Adam
G.
Upland High School
Upland, California
Shagun
A.
St. Scholastica Academy
Mandeville, Louisiana
Nehemiah
B.
Brookwood High School
Grayson, Georgia
Summer
A.
Viroqua Area High School
Genoa, Wisconsin
Layla
Y.
, Hawaii
Maki
M.
Columbia High School
Brazoria, Texas
Mason
S.
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts