Duck Tape Prom Couture Winners Awarded $10,000 Scholarships

Sophie C.’s winning entry, a pink, strawberry cake-inspired gown, required 250 hours of labor and 35 rolls of tape. The design serves as a commentary on the pressures of feminine beauty standards, utilizing a hoop-skirt silhouette and custom accessories—including a duct-tape fork—to convey a narrative of personal growth. Meanwhile, Jeremiah C. opted for a bold, runway-inspired tuxedo. His creation utilized 46 rolls of tape and 61 hours of construction to produce a floor-length red cape and metallic accessories, reflecting his long-standing interest in fashion design and material innovation.

Beyond the first-place prizes, the contest recognized eight runners-up with $1,000 awards, including three special Judge’s Choice honorees: Calina M. of Poulsbo, Washington, for her polka-dot gown; Rio L. of Boise, Idaho, for a bird-inspired ensemble; and Imogen C. of Hillsborough, North Carolina, for a winged tuxedo design. This year’s competition also introduced the Red, White & Made By You category to mark America’s 250th birthday, awarding four students $250 each for patriotic-themed designs. Alison Wills, senior product manager at Shurtape Technologies, noted that the entries highlighted the students' ability to treat industrial adhesive as a high-fashion medium.