Duct tape formal wear?!
It's a contest, and it's so maker-cool!
Happy Friday, readers. I was going to share some updates on my mini camper trailer, but this story got stuck in my mind, and I couldn't resist sharing it. I hope what follows inspires you to elevate the ordinary into something extraordinary this weekend! ~JRC
Note: links in today’s story take you to Duck Brand’s website, duckbrand.com. And FYI, this is not a paid sponsorship. I just think these designs are super cool and wanted to share.
We all know duct tape as a wonder adhesive, the do-everything stuff used to fix just about anything except, ironically, ducts. There are many brands, from generic store kinds to better-known suppliers such as 3M and Gorilla. There is even one called "Duck Tape" brand duct tape because most everyone calls it “duck tape” anyway, so why not?
In recent years, this once-only-silver sticky stuff started coming in various colors, from black to white and everything in between. Duck Tape (the company) even sells a variety of patterns and prints in addition to their rainbow of colors.
Duct tape - it's not just for fixing; it's for making!
In a clever marketing strategy, Duck Tape (the brand again) started an annual scholarship contest aptly named "Stuck at Prom." The idea is simple: high school-age teens are invited to create formal dresses or tuxedos made entirely from duct tape. Those who enter compete in one of two categories - dress or tux - and the winners take home a $10,000 cash award. This year's contest winners will be announced on July 19th. And, as in years past, the competition looks fierce.
As a maker and a fan of making with duct tape, I love this idea. But my attempts at creating with this stuff pale compared to what these teens make. Their imaginations and command of the medium blow me away. Yes, duct tape is an artistic medium. And these high schoolers wield it as any skilled artist creates in other, more traditional materials.
One of the most striking things about entries in the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest is that many are far beyond simple copies of traditionally made dresses or tuxedos. Fantasy, pop culture, and even philosophical manifestations are all present in the designs. But even the traditional takes are amazing; many don’t even look like duct tape at all!
Stuck at Prom is an impressive mashup of design, ingenuity, and art. It’s like Prom Night meets Comic Con meets Milan Fashion Week - all with duct tape!
I'll leave it to you to peruse this year's entries. And do scroll through past winners as well. It's flat-out inspiring what these young artists have created. Turning prom into a maker event makes me wish I could relive my own glory days again. (Well, not quite, but still.)
Until next time.
JRC