Imagine a prom night where the glitz and glamour are not spun from silk or satin, but from the humble duct tape.
That’s exactly what happened in the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest, organized by Duck Brand duct tape.
This unique competition saw high school students from across North America showcasing their artistic prowess by crafting stunning prom dresses and tuxedos entirely out of duct tape, all in a bid to win a $10,000 scholarship.
One of the standout contestants was Erika Avellaneda, a Grade 9 student from Ottawa.
She was among the finalists, having outshone 102 other dresses.
Erika shared with CTV News that she found the contest to be a “super fun” experience, a refreshing departure from the usual scholarship applications that require lengthy essays.
Erika’s creation was a detailed, two-piece dress featuring gold, blue, and black patterns.
It had an open front, a long, elegant trailing skirt, and matching accessories.
The creation process was no small feat—it took her 143 hours and 17 rolls of duct tape.
The dress, she revealed, probably weighs about six pounds. “It was a hard process. A lot of sitting down and working, but it was worth it,” she said.
The inspiration for her dress came from the styles and colors of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt.
The result was a stunning ensemble that was a testament to her creativity and dedication.
Erika’s sister Claudia couldn’t contain her admiration, saying, “Erika is a little shy, but she’s so creative. This is kind of like her way of speaking out and showing all the incredible designs that are in her head. I’m so proud of her.”
Erika’s mother, Annette Dillon, also shared her pride in her daughter’s achievement.
She explained that Erika has always had a knack for art and design.
“I think the dress is stunning. I think it’s a real masterpiece,” said Dillon.
She also appreciated how the project allowed Erika to escape the worries of the pandemic and school, and engage in a physical, creative activity.
In her submission for the contest, Erika explained that she started with the idea of creating something that fits the white academia aesthetic.
She envisioned the dress being worn in a grand architectural baroque castle, dancing to classical music, much like the scenes in Rome and Greece.
The dress was initially all white, but she was inspired to create a black-on-white contrast, drawing from the styles and colors of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt.
Erika also incorporated the symbol of the evil eye into her design.
This symbol has different meanings in various cultures—some believe it attracts evil spirits, while others think it casts a malevolent gaze back upon those who wish harm.
Erika was inspired by both interpretations, but she wanted her dress to reflect the latter.
Regardless of whether she won the grand prize, Erika admitted that working on the dress was an unforgettable experience.
“I’m also pretty happy that I now get to have the dress and get to wear it,” she said.
“It’s something that I get to have and tell people about. It’s definitely a cool thing to talk about.”
Erika’s dress was just one of the many impressive creations in the contest.
The other talented finalists also crafted stunning outfits, each one a testament to their creativity and dedication.
You can check out some of the other designs here.
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