I created this dress solely because I saw an ad and thought this would be a nice project to work on. Little did I know that this would lead me to learn about myself. Creating this dress taught me to trust myself, even when I can't tell what the outcome would be. It taught me to be patient, to understand that I can't control every outcome and aspect of everything, even when I want to. It taught me to rely on others, as my parents would go out of their way to get certain supplies for me, for which I am very grateful. It taught me to 'go with the flow', to trust the process, and to be content. It taught me to be excited for new things, to keep a good spirit no matter what happens, because no matter what, things will get better.
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Natalie
P.
16
Rolls
70
Hours
Inspiration:
My main goal for my participation in this contest was to just have fun with it - and what better way to do that than to create my very own tuxedo-dreamcoat? This tuxedo is heavily inspired by the multicolored coat that is worn in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This musical is one of my favorites and I've always watched it in awe for its dramatic and bold costume design. All over my tuxedo-dreamcoat you’ll see a mosaic, stripe and star pattern, which was created by incorporating different details from dreamcoats across multiple productions of the show. You’ll also notice that my tuxedo-dreamcoat isn’t the usual rainbow of colors, but rather the CMYK color scheme! I chose this color scheme specifically to represent the graphic design and print production class I've been in for all of high school. This class has nurtured me into the artist I am today, and I can’t imagine that in just a few weeks I won’t be spending every morning creating fantastic images on Photoshop or screen printing my own designs onto shirts. However, everything that I've learned from this class - adobe programs, graphic designs, screen printing, print production - will come with me as I attend the Fashion Institute of Technology for their Illustration and Animation major! While I did participate in this contest last year with a dress reflecting my french heritage and love for ball gowns, this tuxedo dreamcoat is by far more reflective of who I am as an artist. I love dramatic and bold designs, I absolutely LOVE color, and I will always love my vocational high school experience far after I graduate and chase my calling as an artist in illustration and animation.
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Isabella
C.
20
Rolls
25
Hours
Inspiration:
I've always loved western fashion and I've grown up in the country so this kind of look has always inspired me and been one of my favorite styles. It took me a good long while to make but I'm very proud of the end product. It took me a while to actually decide on a theme for my outfit, but in the end I figured I should just stick to my roots and go with a western, country style tux.
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Kathryn
L.
26
Rolls
80
Hours
Inspiration:
The ocean has always pulled by interests. Its colorful, whimsical, and mysterious. The creatures that live there defy what is possible on land. Each creature and coral was designed by God and placed exactly where they need to be. The beauty of His creation draws me in and inspires most of my art projects, including this dress! Just as the beach leads into the ocean and then into the deeper ocean, I made the dress to reflect that journey in each layer. Each layer is beautifully detailed on its own, but you need all the layers to tell the full story of this ocean journey!
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Keagan
T.
8
Rolls
25
Hours
Inspiration:
I got the inspiration for this outfit by remembering a pair of shoes I made a few years ago. The design was caution tape and flowers. The design combined my 2 favorite things which were caution tape and flowers.
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Sydney
T.
7
Rolls
17
Hours
Inspiration:
My inspiration for my Dre’s was penny from the hairspray movie when she was in the blue dress at the end. I really liked the bottom where it’s connected with the skirt to the top of the dress. The color were inspired by a pink gothic theme.
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Genevieve
M.
20
Rolls
81
Hours
Inspiration:
The inspiration in creating my duct tape dress was the 1920s time period. This period was revolutionary for women, as it was a time where women were able to push the boundaries of societal norms in their self expression, which gave them a sense of freedom in a world that was very male-dominated. This self expression was done in a style/type of dance known as flapping. Flappers had an eccentric fashion taste. The women during this time period would dress up in big feathered head pieces, layered stacks of pearls, flaunt accessories such as feather boas and fans, and most importantly used many, many feathers. In order to make it look like I just came out of the 1920s, I wanted to include all of these iconic elements in the creation of my dress. The women from this time period have definitely encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and become more free spirited.
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Marya
C.
58
Rolls
155
Hours
Inspiration:
This dress and its accessories pay tribute to a pivotal era in Mexican history”the Porfiriato”and the resulting fight for equality during the Mexican Revolution. Inspired by both historical and modern symbols of Mexican identity, it transforms traditional elite fashion into a garment that embraces inclusivity.
With elements like the Aztec Calendar, the Virgin of Guadalupe, and Indigenous motifs, it stands as a powerful expression of cultural pride, resistance, and resilience.
Ultimately, it honors heritage while demanding justice and equal rights for all. tying back to the ongoing demand for equal rights for all.
Every detail represents a voice refusing to be silenced, continuing to stand strong and push forward.
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Makayla
S.
15
Rolls
18
Hours
Inspiration:
I took inspiration for this dress from fantasy movies and books. I thought a top resembling golden armor would be a good way to showcase my long-term hobby of reading fantasy books and I had seen the color combination of black and gold used in characters such as Loki from Marvel. I have also always had an interest in fashion design from the age of four and I am going to take apparel design as my major in college so I wanted to combine my interests while completing a scholarship. This led to the creation of my duct tape prom dress for this scholarship.
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Carter
W.
7
Rolls
21
Hours
Inspiration:
I felt as though pink would be a soft and vibrant selection as a primary color, and when complemented by white and gray highlights, the result is reminiscent of the onset of springtime. This theme melds with the optimism that prom typically signifies: celebrating new beginnings and blossoming memories.
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Gabriella
K.
9
Rolls
30
Hours
Inspiration:
My inspiration comes from drawings I made as a child. Back then, creating art was only for the purpose of enjoyment. I would fill pages with whatever came to mind, unbothered by rules or expectations. I used to sketch tall trees with spiral branches and hearts sprouting from the top. I used to draw them often, and I was always satisfied coloring in the heart at the end. Even now, spirals still find their way into my art, though not as prominently as before. When I designed this dress, I focused on reconnecting with the creativity and free expression I had when I was younger, when drawing was simply about having fun.
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Quill
T.
11
Rolls
20
Hours
Inspiration:
I was inspired by forest fires and their connection to humanity. How one tree can catch on fire and the fire will spread, just as how hate and discrimination will spread from one to another until either it devastates, or is aided.
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Khadijah
S.
33
Rolls
252
Hours
Inspiration:
For my dress, I decided to draw from the more dainty and ornamental aesthetic of porcelain Victorian doll dresses for my dress design. I have always been enamored with these dolls and their timeless elegance, adorned with intricate lace, perfectly aligned frills, and volumes of layered silhouettes, representative of 19th-century sensuality. I was particularly captivated by the balance of sophistication and playfulness in these dresses, a world where every ruffle and ribbon felt like it was creating a story. I was also personally attached to this particular style through a porcelain doll displayed at my Grandma's house. As a kid, I would stop and stare at it, captivated by the minuscule embroidered details, the pretty pastel colors, and the way the fabric seemed to fall so gracefully, even though it was miniature in form. The doll itself was more than just a decorative item, it was a representation of elegance, nostalgia, and beautiful workmanship. I knew I wanted to create that feeling, but in a momentous and untraditional way that made it my own. My intention was always to pay homage not only to the beauty of Victorian dress and it's fashion, but to also to the memory and inspiration of the doll in my Grandma’s living room. This design then became a merging of the past and the present, of memory, and craft.
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Reagan
B.
10
Rolls
32
Hours
Inspiration:
The inspiration for my outfit came from a deep appreciation for my Chinese American heritage, and I aimed to showcase both aspects of my identity through my design. I crafted a half-and-half dress, with the top reflecting traditional elements of Chinese culture, reminiscent of a qipao, and the bottom embracing American influences with a fun, poofy style. Using vibrant colors and symbols, like the double happiness character and fireworks, I wanted to share my pride in both cultures with others. This journey allowed me to blend creativity and tradition, and I was thrilled to create something that represents who I am.
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Cassidy
P.
9
Rolls
20
Hours
Inspiration:
I felt inspired by the beautiful Mojave Desert sunsets that paint the sky over my home every night. For the accessories on my outfit, I took inspiration from ancient Greece, especially in my armband, leg accessory, and headpiece.
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Merri
M.
5
Rolls
18
Hours
Inspiration:
I like drawing dresses so when I saw this, I was excited to try and make a drawing come to life. The dress I made changed a bit in the process of making it, but I like how it turned out and It kind of reminds me of Alice in Wonderland which is one of my favourite movies.
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Alexa
B.
8
Rolls
94
Hours
Inspiration:
Hi there! My name is Alexa. When I was younger I wanted to be a fashion designer, and the first time I saw couture fashion, at Guo Pei’s exhibit,I was in awe. My dress is inspired by the glamorous looks from the MET gala. With the goal of a cohesive yet vibrant color palette, I took inspiration from the firey sunsets and beautiful poppies of my home state, California. Lastly, I wanted to use a unique material, and the rhinestones added the perfect pop. It took tens of thousands of rhinestones and many tedious hours, but I’m so proud of the final result.
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Olivia
W.
15
Rolls
86
Hours
Inspiration:
The inspiration was the process of embracing imperfection into projects that you deem valuable. Throughout this process I learned to value the growth that it took for me to dedicate so many hours of my life to a dress, without promise of anything in return. I learned how to embrace a project simply for the process of doing it and enjoying it rather than the final outcome or result (even if I totally still want to win lol), learning to love the process rather than the outcome is a lesson I don't plan on forgetting.