I had always liked pink—until they told me I was supposed to. In elementary school, I decided I hated pink and that green was my new favorite color. Growing up with only brothers, I felt like the odd one out. I rejected princesses, pink, and the idea that I was meant to be the one rescued. I wanted to be different, a feminist, someone who didn’t need sparkles to feel strong. What I didn’t realize was that by pushing away anything “girly,” I was buying into the idea that femininity was weak. It wasn’t “cool” to be a girl. After years of self-discovery, I’ve embraced the part of me that really does love pink—and even wants to be a princess. My dress reflects that transformation. It’s inspired by the very princesses I once dismissed, complete with a crown, intricate jewelry, and a flowy skirt made of countless layers of ruffles. I loved designing it and letting myself geek out over fashion, because femininity is powerful, too. But the dress wouldn’t be complete without what truly defines me: my faith. Jesus is at the center of who I am and what I build my life on, so I made Him the foundation of my design. I incorporated Psalm 23 into the dress by cutting out all 122 words of the passage in Duck Tape using a crafting machine and hand-placing them across the front layers. I even included the verse reference on the ribbon of the bow. This dress is more than just pink and pretty—it represents my journey of reclaiming femininity and rooting my identity in faith. It’s a reflection of who I truly am, inside and out.

After joining the band in the sixth grade, I developed a passion for playing the french horn. This passion for playing grew as I entered high school and joined the marching band. For the past two years, I served as a section leader in the marching band, performed in fall and spring concerts, and was a part of the pit for our school's musical productions. This year, my love for music deepened even more when I joined the jazz band and started to play trumpet. My tuxedo is inspired by my love of music and the instruments that I play.  Within my design, you will find french horns, trumpets, mellophones, and even the baritone- an instrument that I am learning to play for my senior year. 

Swans are often regarded as symbols of romance, strength, and elegance and are seen as majestic creatures. My main inspiration for the dress was swans, and I wanted to showcase those characteristics throughout the dress.     
I created the shape of the dress inspired by princess gowns and wedding dresses, since both are elegant clothing that represent class and romance, while the fancy details gave it more of a fantasy look. The top of the bodice I made using duct tape feathers to represent swan feathers, and I added a shield to represent self-strength. For the bottom part of the bodice and belt, I went with a more armored look to not only show power but also because love and romance are something that takes a lot of courage and determination. The common saying, "Unless you want to heart broken, you should protect your heart," also inspired the shield.
My accessories are the scarf and the fan, because fans are the stereotypical regal accessory, and the scarf makes the outfit look more regal. 

My older brother and I have been crafting with Duck Tape for quite literally a decade. I remember being in Sunday school in the first grade, folding up pieces of paper and wrapping them in Duck Tape, calling it a sword, and rushing off to fight evildoers. As the years have passed, our skills and ideas have significantly developed. With a glance into our family's garage, you can find a veritable arsenal of Duck Tape weapons: swords, shields, daggers, axes, spears, and more.

I first had the idea for my Stuck at Prom submission three years ago when my older brother created his own. I wanted to make a suit of armor stylized as a tuxedo, and that is precisely what I did. Whereas my brother’s tux took inspiration from our father’s side of the family and our Chinese roots, my armor draws inspiration from our mother’s Polish ancestry. My mother, whose maiden name was Polak, was bullied as a child due to her ethnic heritage. My tuxedo takes those attacks and wraps them around myself as a suit of armor. The Polish Hassar, also known as the Winged Hassar, were cavalry with a distinctive marking: they had feathered wings pointing outward from their backs. In my design, I incorporated several elements from the Polish Hussar, including the weapons they typically utilized (a flagged lance/spear and a saber) and the aforementioned wings. I also included the official emblem of Poland, a white eagle with a golden crown emblazoned upon a red shield. Although the eagle’s crown was removed for a time after World War II due to Soviet control, the eagle regained its regality once the communist regime was overthrown some decades later in 1990.

The only part of the details taken from an external source were the shapes for the shield, eagle, and horse. They were sourced from heraldicart.org, which grants specific usage rights for all contents of the website under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike: “You may distribute this book and website as a whole, or portions of it, or incorporate its contents into other material, provided that you acknowledge the sources of the work and allow everyone to share the resulting material under the same terms.” Creative Commons allows for free usage, adaptation, and sharing (even commercially) of works under its domain, and it is recognized in the Ohio Revised Code. To incorporate the shapes and details, I first imported the SVG files into a 3D design software and modified them before printing them with my family’s 3D printer and covering them with Duck Tape. My brother’s tux was disqualified for unauthorized use of copyrighted material, so I am being exceedingly careful not to allow the same fate to befall me. The website, heraldicart.org, is a resource developed and maintained for usage by anyone, but specifically members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), of which I have been a member for a decade as well. This organization is dedicated to medieval recreation from all parts of (medieval) world history. I consulted with an armor expert as part of designing my suit and selecting the elements to include!

All my accessories and armor pieces were crafted from various materials, including cardboard, corrugated plastic (essentially plastic cardboard), hot glue, plastic pipes, paper, and, of course, Duck Tape. I would also like to mention that my family was instrumental in the design process for the suit, continually making new recommendations for details and accessories that kept me crafting nearly right until the submission deadline. The first part of the suit I created was the vest, woven from individual rings of machine-cut Duck Tape that I spent countless hours meticulously cutting and taping closed. I also created the suit and pants (having a professional seamstress grandmother undoubtedly came in handy), along with armor pieces that I attached in various ways. My favorite of the armor pieces is the breastplate, which I specifically contoured to the curves of the jacket, forming it as a sort of extended lapel. I made my accessories last: a lance, a saber, a belt, a hobby horse (to represent the cavalry aspect of the Hassar), and one of my favorites, the cravat. To make the cravat, I first made a long strip of Duck Tape before ironing the pleats into the tie and, of course, tied it. I love how the folds of the cravat encapsulate the tie pin/Polish emblem. In addition, there is a subtle heart cross detail around the belt and saber sheath and the tux itself, which is composed of 5 hearts. It is in part a nod to the frequent cross imagery in suits of armor and part a reference to the fact that I am the second of five brothers, something that will always be close to my heart.

This tux has been in the works for a long, long time, and I am proud to finally display it to the world. Duck Tape and crafting are significant parts of my life and identity, and I am honored to have my submission as part of the 25th anniversary of the Stuck at Prom competition!

I am a graduating Pioneer High School senior, future Ferris State Bulldog, and proud creator of (probably) the world’s first duct tape tuxedo that transforms into a racing suit.

My design pays tribute to my idol, Japanese racing legend Keiichi Tsuchiya - known as the Drift King. Like his unique driving style, I wanted to take something fast and functional and make it stand out from the rest. The tux starts as a full racing suit, but with a flip of the collar, it transforms into an outfit worthy of prom night. Underneath, I wear a white dress shirt and checkered flag bow tie, both made from duck tape.I made the driving gloves from duck tape, decorated the helmet to imitate Keiichi's, and created a 3D boutonniere incorporating a small trophy.

Pursuing this project wasn’t just about trying to win a scholarship. To me, it was about mixing passion with purpose to help fund my future goals. I’m heading to Ferris State University this fall for a BS in Automotive Engineering, with dreams of working in performance motorsports, and possibly moving across the world to be in Japan, the heart of tuning culture.

That’s where the Duck Brand comes in. I’ve proudly and painstakingly incorporated your logos throughout the design because I’m hoping that by taking first place, you’ll be the sponsor that helps me shift into high gear. I also made sure to reach out to the Ferris State Marketing and Communications Department, who gave enthusiastic permission to use their logos in my creation.

So thank you for making a tape strong enough to stick my dreams together. I may be “Stuck at Prom”, but with your help I’ll be racing into the future.
And a fun fact - my brother was a Tux Runner Up in 2021, so entering is now a family tradition! 

For my Stuck at Prom design, I created a royal futuristic inspired tuxedo, complete with a crown, scepter, rose, and a royal cape. At first glance, it may appear as simply a bold fashion statement, but every detail is layered with personal meaning, symbolic intent, and heartfelt tribute.

The color scheme, primarily blue and gold serves as a unifying thread that ties together my heritage, my future, and my values. These colors represent two major inspirations behind this design: Ukraine, the homeland of my mothers side of the family, and Lakehead University, my next academic journey.

The blue and gold evoke the Ukrainian flag, a powerful emblem of resilience, freedom, and cultural pride. In recent years, Ukraine has become a global symbol of courage and resistance in the face of adversity. With this suit, I honor not only the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people but also my own connection to a legacy of strength and perseverance. The royal motif speaks to sovereignty and the right of all people to live with dignity and pride. Every golden trim and intricate pattern channels the beauty of Ukrainian embroidery and historical regalia, blending tradition with a futuristic twist.

With the future in mind, this design also celebrates my upcoming chapter at Lakehead University, whose school colors mirror those of my suit. Attending Lakehead signifies a turning point, a leap toward higher learning, innovation, and athletic pursuits. The structured design of the suit reflects the discipline and confidence I aim to carry into my academic career, while the cape’s dramatic flair represents creativity and self-expression. The gold geometric embellishments, and floral patterns throughout including those on the back of the jacket, echo the patterns of growth and progress like branches or flowers of knowledge extending outward capping off in an emphatic bloom of skill and knowledge once my education journey is complete. 

Hi! My name is Brittany. The inspiration behind this dress came from my childhood love for Disney princesses and the joy of dressing up. As I begin adulthood, I find myself reflecting on the wisdom my parents shared: "Don’t wish to grow up too soon." It's a gentle reminder that life is about cherishing both our past and the dreams of the future. In creating this dress, I sought to embody the magic of the princess I dreamed of being as a little girl, hoping to bring to life something she would have adored. I believe we can all hold onto that childlike wonder, and it's a beautiful journey we undertake together.

Now, let’s dive into my princess wildflower-making adventure! I took on the challenge of crafting a flowery gown in a dizzying array of colors: baby pink, baby blue, navy, white, and gold. Each bloom took a solid 15 minutes to create alone. Armed with squares of duck tape and a bit of origami finesse, I fashioned unique tape floral creations.

Next up was the dress structure. As the flowers piled on, I began to question if I was making a dress or preparing for a floral funeral! I constructed a skirt with enough flower volume to function as a parachute, then glued the blossoms into place, hopefully leaving no gaps.

Then came the upper body, which felt like a scene straight out of The Hunger Games—with duck tape! Draping my mannequin in tape and glue, I designed a pink corset that was part fashion statement, part adhesive nightmare. To top it off, I made DIY earrings with fringed gold tape and mini roses. For the bouquet, I simply tossed some roses onto a used duck tape roll—because why not? I had 49 of them!

Thank you for taking a look, and I hope you love my creation as much as I loved making it!

My outfit was inspired by the strength and elegance of an Incan princess, honoring my Peruvian heritage and the roots that have shaped me. I wanted to let that part of me shine because while this dress reflects my past, this scholarship could help light the way to my future. I used every tool I could find: hole punchers, scissors, zigzag cutters, and more to bring the details to life. Goo Off Adhesive Remover became my best friend, and I’m still finding tape stuck in random places around my house. Every piece of this dress was made with heart, creativity, and a whole lot of patience.

My duct tape prom suit was inspired by the vibrant culture and traditions of Africa. I drew from the iconic Kente cloth, known for its bold colors and geometric patterns, which represent African heritage, pride, and identity. Using duct tape, I recreated these intricate designs and integrated them across my entire suit: jacket, pants, and accessories.

To deepen the cultural significance, I incorporated Adinkra symbols from West Africa, each chosen for its powerful meaning. Some of the symbols on my suit represent initiative, fearlessness ("I fear nothing but God"), good fortune, and greatness. These values guide my life, and wearing them gave my design a personal and purposeful message. Every detail was crafted by hand, using only duct tape, to reflect the spirit of African art and storytelling. Through this design, I was able to connect with my heritage and express it in a modern, original way.

My suit is more than just a look; it's a celebration of culture, identity, and creativity.

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! 

My dress is inspired by the artist Romero Britto. I like his use of bright colors and fun patterns. I wanted my dress to have just as many colors and patterns as his art has. My goal was for my dress to be unique, runway worthy, and push the limits of prom fashion. Somewhere between grade 7 and 8 my friends mutually agreed that bright colors and fun patterns where out, except me I still like having color in my every day outfits as I think it adds life to the outfit and is away to express my happy vibe.

Faith. Family. Freedom. These 3 words define my inspiration in designing this suit. As a Mexican-American, I am proud of the heritage and culture both nations have instilled within me. For the style of my suit, I used a mixture of traje de charro de gala grecado and mariachi. The charro gala suit is one of the most elegant traditional Mexican attires. I intertwined the colors of the American and Mexican flags along the sides of the pant legs and edges of the bolero jacket and vest utilizing an ancient Greek meander. The fish, cross, and dove I embedded in the Greek meander represent my Christian faith. The intertwining of these colors and symbols exemplifies how my faith and both cultures have played a role in defining who I am. Much like the monarch butterfly, my identity is cultivated by both Mexico and this great nation, the USA. The monarch butterfly is highlighted on the belt, belt buckle, bowtie, sombrero, and suit jacket.

The beginning of this dress had many inspirations. The size and drama of 18th Century French Rococo, the femininity and frills of the porcelain dolls I collect, the ridiculousness of Barbie's princess outfits, the monochromatic haunting colors and shapes of Tim Burton's artwork, the vintage yet edgy aesthetic of steampunk. But there was one inspiration, one goal above all others. I wanted this dress to be big. I wanted it to achieve what I could not, what I never managed on stage or at my own prom. I wanted the inability for it to fit through door frames, I wanted the inconvenience that came with an insane amount of glamor. I wanted the silhouette of a barbie in a cake-dress and the impracticality of a cartoon. Nothing brings me more joy than a large skirt, the way fabric flares out just so, the cutting shape it makes, the attention it draws. Making a dress as big as this had been a dream for awhile, but with the weight and gravity obeying attributes of fabric I never had the chance. After a few tests with duct tape though, the stiffness and weight gave way for my dream to come true, to make the biggest dress possible. I think I came through with this goal, making both a large, cartoony dress and matching my art almost perfectly.

Inspired by the vibrant colors of nature, I created a rainforest prom dress. My base design was a traditional green tube dress, but my ultimate goal was to incorporate a variety of shades, vegetation, and animals. Every time you look at my dress you will discover something new. Look hard. Do you see 5 amazing creatures? Hint: I’m the 5th! I love nature, I love this dress and now I really love Duck Tape! Thank you!

I decided to base the suit on my love of space. I grew up around Huntsville Alabama where the U.S Space & Rocket Center was located. And after constantly visiting the place I picked up an interest in the stars. The theme needed the perfect design to capture the grandiose beauty of “Space,” so I thought of a ringmaster-style tuxedo.

The Helix nebula that spans the back of the suit took quite a bit of time and was one of the larger "ideas" of the suit. Getting the transitions was very difficult but I think I pulled it off all right on my 3rd try.

The constellations were cut using a template and then applied randomly all over, while the gold trimming took some patience to get on just right.

The accessories include a hat, cane, pocket watch, shoes, rings, bow tie, and lots of love.

As you all can probably tell from the bags under my eyes this project stressed me out a little bit, but I'm thankful I got an excuse to branch off from a monotonous school year and make a duct tape suit. I had loads of fun trying to figure everything out and hope all the other competitors did too.

Thank you for reading all this garble and I hope you have a great day.

I designed my prom dress with inspiration from Jalisco, Mexico charro style and Folklorico dance dresses.

Inspiration for this outfit, a Charro, mainly comes from my Mexican heritage. Being from a Hispanic background and having relations with families of similar backgrounds, I found that a simple yet impactful nod to this was its form taken from these aspects which a Charro is typically seen in historical and modern Mexican tradition used by cowboys or horsemen. The technique utilized when creating this work was covering the initial materials used such as old clothes I no longer wore with layers of bright orange Duct Tape in random patterns. Keeping in mind where certain aspects of the clothes needed to bend which could be done but just not heavily layering these areas. Given the inspiration mainly aligning with Mexican heritage, floral motifs were added across the outfit to add character and fill in spots that seemingly were empty using a black paint marker. These floral designs would cover the cuffs, collar, hat, and sides of the pants where these accents would be above a thin lining of black masking tape. The torso mainly consisted of the same technique used for the pants however I left the under-shirt untouched whereas the vest and jacket were fully covered in tape. Both vest and jacket mainly were covered in tape and designs from a black paint marker with the jacket only having the addition of black lace lining the collar and down towards the bottom. As well as on the torso, a bow and flower made of cheetah print tape were added whereas on the flower the Duct Tape Duck logo was added which was taken from the packaging of the Duct Tape rolls. The main feature of this work is the hat, the Charro Sombrero, which was an actual Sombrero that was covered in repeated orange Duct Tape that retained all the same detailing of floral motifs and black lace where under the designs were accommodated by strings to be tied when using the hat made from cheetah print Duct Tape which was braided.

Butterflies have long been regarded as harbingers of good luck and positive omens in cultures around the world. Their ethereal beauty and graceful flight inspire feelings of joy and happiness, while their transformative journey from caterpillar to butterfly symbolizes renewal and the possibility of positive change. In honor of my grandmother, who passed earlier this year, this dress is an ode to her, crafted in colors that represent her grace, beauty, and spirit.

In many traditions, encountering a butterfly is believed to bring good fortune and blessings. It's seen as a sign from the universe that better things are on the horizon, that obstacles will be overcome, and that new opportunities will arise. Some cultures even view butterflies as messengers from the spirit world, carrying messages of love and guidance from departed loved ones.

Through the creation of this dress, adorned with the symbol of the butterfly, I aim to manifest this belief in luck and good omens. It becomes not just a piece of clothing, but a symbol of hope, resilience, and the promise of brighter days ahead.

Throughout high school, making clothes has been a really big hobby for me, with knitting, sewing, and thrifting being the aspects I enjoy the most. I wanted this to be an homage to crafting and clothesmaking that celebrates all three interests with a suit that was made entirely using duck tape, kitchen scissors, and some sewing and knitting needles. The blazer, trousers, and briefcase are all oversized and made of patchwork, meant to seem thrifty and secondhand. They all have big black stitches on them, meant to represent my interest in sewing. Underneath all of this, I am wearing a light blue hand knitted vest, made by ripping and folding several rolls of duck tape into yarn and knitting them.

I have been fascinated by Scotland and especially Scottish culture ever since I first saw Braveheart as a middle-schooler. For my 16th birthday, my parents bought me a tiny plot of land and I became a Scottish “Laird”. Since then I have owned (and worn) 4 kilts, both in various tartans and a plain utility. It seemed only fitting that I make one of my own out of Duck® Tape. This one is by far the most formal.

An era of flourishing gold, elegance, and pastel floral prints. This dress is inspired by 18th-century French art that I saw at the Getty Museum. I was captivated by the amount of gold and extravagant paintings they had on display. It was a time period of luxurious gowns full of lace, floral prints, ribbons, and ruffles. So I wanted to incorporate some of these elements into my dress. Fitting to the inspiration, I used the colors of pastel pink, white, and gold duct tape for the design of my dress. I decided to take inspiration from the Rococo era through my own personal interest in fashion. I am fascinated by clothes and how it has evolved through the course of history. Although we are in the 21st century, it doesn’t stop us from dressing up from any time period. I wanted to showcase a dress that reflects a glamorous era of fashion.

All of my family are from El Salvador and I wanted to make something to tribute that. In ancient times, both Mayans and Aztecs settled near El Salvador. I was inspired by the Mayan Gods, Kinich Ahau, the God of the Sun, and Kukulkan, the God of weather and life. I was also inspired by ancient Mayan clothing and motifs. I wanted to fuse the culture of the Mayans and the elegance and formality of promwear, without coming off as a costume. During quarantine, I started learning how to sew by making stuffed animals so I made one of the Kukulkan.

This design was inspired by music. Music has the power to evoke emotions, transport us to different times & places, and unite us with others. Because music is not just black and white, the mirror duct tape is meant to represent the way music constantly moves and changes. There are several instruments included in this design: piano, violin, tambourine, and electric guitar. The notes on the skirt are a measure from an actual song.

My tuxedo was inspired by steampunk fashion! I have always been interested in science fiction, so I decided to incorporate it in my look. The tuxedo, pants, and accessories were all made from scratch using paper, Duck tape, and some thin sheets of plastic. One of my favorite parts of creating this outfit was adding whimsical elements like the wings and gears on the clothing!

Fashion and art have always played a major role in my life. Since I was young, I've always had a strong passion for both, and the Duct tape prom dress competition was a great opportunity to show off my love for art and fashion.

When I was eight, my third-grade class got the opportunity to create a business and sell things for one week during lunchtime. Most of my classmates brought items from home to sell like buttons, pencils, and bookmarks, but I brought my own clothing sketches. I spent hours sketching out clothes, my favorite clothing item to draw was dresses. I added lots of color, glitter, and stickers. I sold my designs to classmates for a dollar per sketch and everyone loved them. This was an important moment for me because I realized that I loved fashion and I want to spend the rest of my life surrounded by it.

The inspiration for my dress was Vincent Van Goghs painting "The Starry Night." I chose this painting for inspiration because it has always been a very calming painting to me with its post-impressionism style and use of a blue and yellow color scheme. For my whole life, I have always struggled with a slight form of anxiety and when it ever became too much to handle, I would paint. Painting has become a great outlet to calm my anxiety, and I wanted to express that through this dress. When creating this dress, I wanted to have lots of texture. To achieve this, I painted various colors over strips of Duct tape, and then I cut them up and layered them on the dress until I got the finished product. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share my creation with you, and hopefully, I inspired some of you to use art as an outlet for some of your personal struggles or emotions.

My dress is a true reflection of my passion for art and for this outfit, I am drawing inspiration from two of my favorite art forms: fashion and architecture. To the renowned designer Issey Miyake, who incorporated beautiful pleats into the fabric, reminiscent of his famous Pleats Please Line from 1993. I wanted to demonstrate that pleats are possible with Duck Tape, although this was challenging and time-consuming, I am very pleased with the end result. The pleating technique adds a unique touch and brings Miyake's artistic vision to life.

I also drew inspiration from the captivating works of Antoni Gaudi, a talented Spanish architect. The mosaic pattern on my dress is directly influenced by Gaudi's artistic style, particularly seen in his masterpiece, Casa Batlló. The sleeve incorporates the intricate roof design found in his masterpiece. Additionally, the necklace emulates the captivating top edge of the roof in Casa Batlló.

I also wanted to capture the essence of Gaudi's architectural brilliance through the intricate mosaic design, adding depth and visual interest to my dress. Furthermore, I incorporated elements from Gaudi's iconic creation, the La Sagrada Familia church. The design in the back of my top is inspired by the church's stunning stained glass windows. The vibrant colors and intricate patterns of the stained glass are reflected in my design, creating a captivating and ethereal look, which was all accomplished by using different colors of Duck Tape.

By merging the artistry of Issey Miyake's pleating technique with the architectural splendor of Antoni Gaudi, my dress becomes a testament to my adoration for art while simultaneously showcasing the boundless possibilities that exist. Furthermore, I aspire to inspire other young artists to dream big, explore uncharted territories, fearlessly take calculated risks, and venture beyond their comfort zones.

I was inspired by modern and historic artwork of Samurai and Dragons respectively. I was also inspired by my father's sword collection that I often see when I walk past his office.

I hoped to combine my studies of herbalism, woodblock printing, and costume design to make an ethereal and modern piece. Herbalism informed my choice of flowers. The chrysanthemum that lies on my chest expels windheat nodding to its placement between my lungs and the association red has with fire and passion. In combination with the Chinese rose in the center panel, liver heat is expelled and blood flow is regulated. My passions grow instead of burn because I regulate my time and combine my approach to each study. Woodblock printing encouraged my understanding of the flower’s shadows and the order in which to layer colors. The time devoted to this art conditioned me for the time spent simply laying the tape. Following the ethereal concept, I found inspiration in Tang and Qing Dynasty clothing, as they seem to float without any wind and layer pieces effortlessly. The beauty of those times reached far past clothing, so I also showcased other art forms to honor the richness of the culture. As I am a mix of my Asian roots and my American reality, this dress credits everything that makes me, as if my own costume.

My inspiration was a rock-star-like outfit that incorporates retro 3-D glasses design. I wanted to create something with an interesting shape and look that mirrors high fashion. I like to be arbitrary.

I was going through a little bit of rough patch so I wanted to design something that was me. I wanted something colorful and vibrant; i've always loved 60's/70's clothing, so I stayed with that theme throughout the entire out. Starting with the polka dots, the flare gloves, the headband, everything. During the creation of this outfit it really helped me interpret who I was as a person. So, I guess I could say the inspiration for this outfit was me.

My inspiration came from the Yin and Yang theory. There's so much to uncover about this idea, yet it's symbol is portrayed in such a simple way. In brief, it illustrates the concept of harmony and balance between opposing forces. My dress exemplifies the well- known symbol of Yin and Yang. The lesson I have gained from this philosophy is how to build a stabilized and balanced routine in my life. I have an auditory processing disability which makes it harder to complete tasks promptly. Time management is crucial to my success. While maintaining a busy schedule, I have incorporated habits to level out the stress. Things like yoga, meditation, eating less processed foods, prayer, and daily exercise can help me accomplish the goals I have set for myself. Ever since I was young, I have loved the idea of showing who we are on the inside with what we wear on the outside. Clothing has the ability to transform how we feel and also influence how we make others feel. I have always aspired to pursue a career in fashion and hope this can be the start of something big.

I grew up as a tomboy and was sometimes made fun of for not trying enough to be girly. Being a tomboy was a result of me being close to my older brother. I have never really been in touch with my feminine side and so I never really liked bright colors or dollhouses and dolls. But in this case, I really wanted to push myself and try something new. I wanted to show that there is nothing wrong with having a masculine side through my piece. I wanted to show the beauty of masculinity and femininity when they are put together. This is why I decided to use the color pink which is seen as a more feminine color for my suit. As much as I wanted to try something new I still wanted to keep in touch with my true self. I couldn't leave my spontaneous tomboy side out of my piece, so I decided to make a suit instead of a dress. I created this piece in hopes that I could enjoy both the masculine and feminine sides of me. Although it took a dozen duct tapes and 30 hours. I am more than proud of the piece of art I was able to create. I am truly happy for the opportunity to present this piece to the world as well as the message I wish to share through it.

When I learned about the Stuck At Prom scholarship, I thought it was a fantastic way to dive into my creativity as well as represent my heritage. Being half Japanese and half Mexican, I have been given one of the greatest gifts of learning and experiencing different cultures. I was lucky enough to experience traditions with the Mexican side of my family, but I have not been able to do the same with my Japanese relatives. Since my grandparents in Japan haven’t been doing well, I thought it would be a good idea to make a dress inspired by Japanese culture. Kimonos, long straight seamed garments, are a symbol of Japanese culture. Many Kimonos include common symbols or motifs that each represent an important meaning, some of which I included in my own piece. A Kimono is clearly not one’s typical prom dress, but with the sense of identity represented through this garment, why go teenage typical when you can go Japanese traditional?

My inspiration for my duct tape dress was my younger self. When I was a kid, I was absolutely obsessed with duct tape! I have always viewed duct tape as more than something that held things to together, but as a unique artistic medium. Duct tape was a huge part of my childhood, in fact, I created something new almost everyday. Since a young age, I’ve dreamed of showing up to prom in a duct tape dress. Although my obvious health battles have gotten in the way of many events in my teenage life, I wasn’t going to let that get in the way of making my younger self proud. Over the years, I have collected HUNDREDS of duct tape rolls of all different patterns, including many retired ones. I felt like it would be very special to use these patterns people no longer see on the shelves into a beautiful creation I got to wear. Being able to display my number one hobby of my childhood, featuring just a fragment of my collection as well as my skill set, served as a great tribute. It truly is a dream come true!

In my life, I have struggled with a lot of anxiety. I wanted this dress to showcase the effect that anxiety can have on people, as well as my personal growth. Growing up and getting older can be nerve-wracking for everyone, and doing so in a pandemic is even more stressful. As I graduate high school and get ready to move to a bigger city to start university I am riddled with fears. What if I don’t like it? What if I chose the wrong program or the wrong university? What if I fail? These thoughts became the inspiration for my art.

The dress has been created in black and white to represent the black and white thinking style that is often associated with anxious thoughts. The gold rim represents the "silver lining" of life when you can realize not everything needs to be stressed over and that some moments are simply there to enjoy. The swirling patterns throughout my dress represent the way that your thoughts can spiral due to anxiety, often becoming larger and darker if you don't stop them while the necklace points to the feeling of being choked because of fear. The pearl decals on my dress symbolize wisdom learned through experience, balance, and a new beginning. All of which will eventually come in the future. Finally, the flowers on my dress show personal growth through hard times, and how you are forever blooming and changing throughout your life.

The inspiration for this dress comes directly from an important coping mechanism of mine. Ever since I was young, I’ve struggled with social anxiety which makes it hard for me to connect with others, which seems simple and easy to everyone else. My multiple panic attacks throughout the years have caused me to have a conflict with my own conscience. To escape these restrictive problems, I spend days outside, strolling in the local gardens and reserves, sometimes even around my neighborhood, whenever I have the chance. This kind of relationship has allowed me to immerse myself in a natural environment and often provides me with a new, tranquil view of my busy life. In turn, throughout high school, I’ve accomplished some of my best art pieces by observing serene environments, places that take me away from all of my copious worries and tenacious tensions. These places, as well as nature in general, has helped me combat so many of my life’s problems. I wanted to illustrate this with one of my favorite things in nature to observe: flowers. I know very well that everyone “loves flowers” but I find meaning within their beauty. The underlying meaning behind each specimen, with different colors, petal shapes, sizes, and history, they’re all so different and elegant in their own ways. As I scrutinize them, I enjoy learning about them, and what they resemble. I think that this has reminded me that I can stand out by just being myself and that I can be elegant by showing my colors as a person. The dress also represents the flowers of spring. Spring is an important season, it reminds us of new beginnings, our future, and who we as people want to bloom into. Going into college this year, the making of this dress has reminded me that I get a fresh new start in a bright new atmosphere.

I am a seamstress and an engineer. When those two skills combine, they lead to limitless creation. This tuxedo not only provided an atypical challenge, but also served as a unique, creative outlet for my most imaginative design. I wanted to break away from the typical dress and create something distinctive, inspiring, and empowering. The result, this tuxedo. The design came to me randomly in math class. The original sketch existing in the margins of my notes. Unlike my previous options, this design was eccentric, colorful, and ideal. I immediately began work, buying out the entire mint, transparent iridescent blue, gold, and shimmer mirror tape stock at Walmart and Michael’s. I was able to utilize my sewing skills to construct an advanced bodice and my first jacket. My engineering characteristics allowed me to easily find solutions to the inability to sew through tape, resulting in stapling seams. The process challenged my abilities and taught me the tricks to manipulating duct tape. The result is much greater than I ever imagined it would be, and I am proud to have taken on the Duck Tape Stuck at Prom scholarship challenge.

I wanted to go for something that would look nice but also give off a good message.

The United States Department of Agriculture estimates by the year 2050, there will be 10 billion people on planet Earth. This means it is so important in the present to protect and conserve our environment. Both land and food will be crucial in sustaining our population. My outfit was a manifestation of hope that humanity can become closer with the environment and our food sources to insure that we sustain such a large predicted population.

Greetings! For anyone taking time to look into my entry I wanted to say Thank You and I hope you enjoy it! Growing up with a humble upbringing meant we had to shop at thrift stores every once in a while which I personally wasn’t mad about. In fact I actually loved going to the thrift stores. I can remember times while I was growing up that my mom and dad would be playing awesome songs like “Heart Of Glass” by Blondie or “Dancing Queen” by ABBA and also “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth Wind & Fire. So it’s no surprise that while coming up with a concept for my tuxedo I wanted to pay homage to one of mine and my parents favorite decades, the 70s! I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of the nightlife of the time. The flashing lights, the bright colors, and of course the awesome music have always fascinated me. This garment comes with 44 alternating fringe pieces, leading down to 3 1/2 feet wide flared bottoms, and a groovy tuxedo fit for Tony Manero himself . Another piece of inspiration came from the idea “flower power”. Originally a term thought of by Alan Ginsberg in 1965 it carried its way into the 70s with its iconic groovy and floral designs. These elements are incorporated to the flared bottoms as well as the backpack and the boots. The back of the tux is inspired by a button-down that I thrifted with my mom and dad.

Since I was 5 years old I have always been fascinated with designing and creating. I remember spending numerous hours in my room crafting, sketching and designing many art projects. Designing things many people couldn't believe a child can do. My mother was always amazed at my creativity and attention to detail I had at such a young age. As I started growing up, duct tape gained more popularity in the 2010’s, I started becoming fascinated with making things out of duct tape. So I started making many things out of duct tape; like toys, clothing, mermaid fins, hair accessories and wallets. Including my school backpack that I would wear to school. When I heard Duct Tape had a scholarship I knew I had to make a special creation. I was inspired by the folklorico styled dresses that stem from both indegenous and spanish practices. The dresses are decorated with ribbon, flowers, and include a full flowy skirt. So I created a ruffled off the shoulder colorful folklorico flower gown. The gown is heavily detailed with flowers, Duct Tape lace, and ribboning to create the folkloric design. The gown was designed to honor my culture, helping me pay homage to my roots, along with making a beautiful dress for prom that’s made out of Duct Tape, something that many of my friends and family thought to be impossible.

Runways were my main inspiration. The 2 in 1 look and wings were inspired from various high fashion looks I have seen. The rest of it came from my mind. I had the idea of an angel and devil then kept going. The colours represent darkess, peace, the redness of blood that every person has, and richness of life (black, white, red, and bronze/gold respectively). The piece shows that every person bleeds the same blood and is capable of goodness, regardless of preconceived notions. I wanted to show the complexity and high fashion that can be achieved using Duck Tape. I even made moving wings with tape and paper. I tried to use the tape in unique ways and create a suit that has never been seen before. Thank you for taking the time to look at my suit!

When I first started my inspiration was the white academia aesthetic. I pictured this dress being worn in a big architectural baroque castle ballroom dancing to classical music, like the ones you see in Rome and Greece. Originally the dress was fully white, but I was also inspired in doing a black-on-white clash. I was inspired by the style and colors that you would find in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. A big part of the dress’s inspiration was the colors of ancient Egypt like gold, white, black, and turquoise/blue. Once I realized that a lot of the colors I was already using were similar to those of the evil eye I knew I had to add it in. The evil eye can symbolize multiple means depending on what cultures you ask. Some may say that it attracts evil spirits, others say that it can cast a malevolent gaze back upon those who wish you harm. I was inspired by both, but I would like that my dress reflects a malevolent gaze upon those who wish harm on me.

I was inspired by the human body and its complexities. I am thinking about becoming a Nurse Practitioner so if I win this would be a great help to pay for my tuition. One of the thoughts that was going through my head was that I want to make something no one has ever seen before. I wanted to make a statement and let others know what I truly am made of.

“The stitches done by a nimble hand

Colours built upon the history of my home land

Threads carrying a language that I long to know

I’m crafting my future

I’m wearing my home - Meihuan Yu”

I still remember the feeling of absolute sadness when my 8th-grade graduation got canceled. It wasn't the fact that I had to miss out on awards or socializing that made me feel heavy-hearted, but it was because I couldn't wear the very dress I spent 3 long months designing and hand sewing. Never would I have thought, during these long days spent indoors, that I would get another chance…….to make a very important dress.

Stuck at home and infinitely dreaming of travel, I realized that delving into the art of my own culture can provide the same feeling of exploration. Looking within Chinese culture, I was in awe and fascinated by the complexity of Chinese performing arts, especially a type of opera from Beijing called “jing ju”. Complete with brave masked warriors and powerful animals, I knew that a message of courage can be conveyed perfectly. With a pencil and my sketchbook, I started a process of visualizing courage.

My inspiration for my tuxedo was my home state of Iowa. I was born and raised in Iowa, and have much pride in that. Farming and agriculture is very big in Iowa therefore most of my inspiration came from that. The right leg having corn stalks, and the left arm having that classic red silo. Iowa is the number one producer in corn. Then the left side of the jacket and left pant leg is those classic farmer overalls, with a cowboy boot at the bottom and a flannel at the top. However Iowa is more than just farming, we also have some great creativity sprout from Iowa, like Grant Wood. I recreated his famous painting "American Gothic" on the back of the suit. Lastly, I added our states flag, because I love when I see an Iowan flag flying in the wind.

What do you think the most beautiful creature in the world is? To me, it’s peacocks, my inspiration for my outfit. Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved and admired birds because they’re so freeing. They’re able to simply take to the air when they please with such agility and elegance that many people even envy the creatures. Personally, I was even blinded by the world’s view of their material worth. It wasn’t until today when I got to meet them first hand that I fully appreciated how amazing peacocks really are. They’ve been targeted and hunted for their beauty for so long, their population is shrinking to the degree that they’re now endangered. That I could work with actual peacocks on this project and earn some of their trust was a truly amazing experience. However, it’s one experience future generations might not be able to discover. Loretta Lynch once said, “We all have a responsibility to protect endangered species, both for their sake and for the sake of our own future generations.” My tux aims to show there are other ways to capture their beauty so that it’s safe for everyone.

For this dress, I wanted to create something that represents my culture and history. I am a Middle Eastern Muslim woman and I wanted this dress to showcase the beauty and extravagance of that part of the world. Over the past few decades, there has been so much misunderstanding and hate towards the Arab world and I want to take the attention off of that and bring people’s eyes to the art and beauty of my people. If there is one thing all human beings have in common, it would be our creativity and art. Wherever you go, you will find unique and beautiful examples of architecture, fashion, and cuisine. For this dress, I specifically chose to portray architecture and fashion. The mosque in the front of the dress was inspired by the Sheikh Zayed mosque located in Abu Dhabi. It is one of the most beautiful mosques in the world and it truly speaks to the beauty of Middle Eastern architecture. Creating the mosque was the most difficult and time-consuming aspect of creating this dress because I had to cut out every little piece and stick it onto the dress to make a perfect illusion of shadows and highlights. It is even more difficult to take photos because every little glare ruins the beauty of the piece. For the stars and patterns on the top layer of the dress and chest piece, I wanted to specifically represent architectural patterns you would normally find on the inside of mosques and Middle Eastern buildings. These designs consist of intricate detail and color, although most of the time the colors used are blue and gold. These patterns and designs can also be found in books, clothes, and everyday objects. The star design I specifically chose was also based on the Islamic star. I wanted a design that fit hand in hand with the mosque but that also offered a little simplicity for contrast. Lastly, for the headpiece, I was inspired by ancient Middle Eastern and Egyptian fashion. I wanted to create something that suited my hijab and the aesthetic of the dress. It was very difficult to create something that did both and it honestly happened by chance. I picked up an unused sheet of tape and began shaping it onto my head. I kept playing with it until I came to this shape and thankfully I was able to create something beautiful! Creating this dress was a huge challenge but I am very proud that I was able to create something that represents myself and my culture. Additionally creating this has allowed me to broaden my artistic abilities as I continue my love for creativity into art school this fall. I am so excited to create more things like this in my future because I know this is only the beginning for me!

I decided to create a dress inspired by the spray painted Robert E. Lee Statue on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The monument embodies the clash of old ways and new ideas, so I embraced these conflicts in the design of my dress. The hoop skirt and corset style bodice are reminiscent of the antebellum era, while the brilliant colors of the graffiti on the skirt represent the modern era. The past and present merge in the front of the dress, but the back is left empty for the future generations. The chain motif on the bodice and the padlock necklace represent slavery and the continued suppression of people of color.

After spending the last 14 months learning online, my tuxedo is inspired by the technology that’s kept us all connected during the pandemic.

I’m studying Computer Science in the fall at Michigan Technological University. I incorporated a pixelated version of their mascot, the husky, on the back of my jacket.

Since prom was canceled this year, my tuxedo includes a virtual reality headset made of tape as well to virtually attend!