Stuck At Prom
Luisa C.
20 Rolls
96 Hours
Inspiration:
As I finish high school, this dress reflects my personal growth and cultural pride. This handcrafted two-piece ensemble, made entirely from duct tape in bold colors (yellow, blue, red, white, purple, pink, orange, green, brown, black, and gold), symbolizes my Colombian roots and my family’s Canadian journey. Each rosette took over 20 minutes to construct by hand, with real coffee beans as centers for texture and cultural meaning. Emerald-like jewels added contrast, while everything else was shaped from duct tape for form and movement. The ruffles mirror my flag’s colors, tying the piece to heritage. The corset was the biggest challenge, achieving a custom fit with only duct tape required lots of trial and error. Completed in over 96 hours alongside academics and extracurriculars, this project tested my creativity and determination. The final look included a duct-tape coastal hat, Joropo shoes, and a flower hairpin. More than wearable art, this dress tells a story of perseverance and identity, proof that tough threads, like duct tape, can create something beautiful. I’ll carry this lesson forward. Thank you to my mother, sister, Mrs. Kane, and you, the reader, for your time!
