Duck Brand Duct Tape sponsors a contest each year for high-school students who can make the best prom outfits out of different colors of duct tape.
After seeing the top submissions (see gallery above) by high-schoolers, NY Mag challenged a Duck Brand designer to create a red-carpet-worthy gown out of 20 rolls of duct tape. She had 3 weeks, after which emerged a dress that NY Mag described as a "hybrid of a neon mermaid and Bette Midler costume."
The fun didn’t stop there. NY Mag took the duct tape dress out onto the streets. The "test" had mixed results:
A few girls suggested it wasn’t first-date material, a tourist thought it looked like a tarp, and a bystander thought it was perfect for a black-tie affair.
Duct Tape Prom Dresses
The Best Prom Outfits Are Made from Industrial Adhesive
Trend Themes
1. Duct Tape Fashion - Opportunity for designers to explore unconventional materials and create fashion-forward garments using duct tape.
2. Upcycling Prom Outfits - A growing trend among high-school students to repurpose materials, like duct tape, to create unique and eco-friendly prom outfits.
3. DIY Prom Attire - Increasing interest in DIY culture leading to more students designing and creating their own prom dresses and suits, with duct tape being a popular choice.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Design - Fashion designers can embrace duct tape as a disruptive material to create innovative and sustainable clothing items, tapping into a new market segment.
2. Event Planning - Event planners can incorporate duct tape fashion as a unique and eye-catching element for prom and other special events, providing a memorable experience for attendees.
3. Arts and Crafts Supplies - Manufacturers and retailers of arts and crafts supplies can capitalize on the popularity of duct tape fashion by expanding their product range and offering duct tapes in various colors and patterns.