I’ll admit I was skeptical when Charden Wood and Steven Quade came into our office to tell us about the prom outfits they made out of duct tape. I mean how cool could something my dad uses to fix, well, everything (including the broken door handle on my car once; thanks, dad), be as clothes? Turns out, really stinkin’ cool.
These outfits are amazing. Duct tape shoes. Duct tape tie. Even duct tape corsages. And I’m not the only one who thinks so: The Flathead High students are finalists in a national competition, Duck brand duct tape’s “Stuck at Prom” contest. Of the more than 200 entries this year, Charden and Steven made the top 10. But they need your votes to win.
Go here to vote for them, and while you’re there check out more amazing outfits on the main page.
People can vote everyday, once a day, per email address through July 2. “So if you have more than one email address, use both,” Charden said, “and don’t forget to spread the word – tell friends and family to go vote everyday!”
The winners, who receive $3,000 each in scholarship money, plus another $3,00 for their school, will be announced July 9.
Charden said she first saw the use of duct tape for clothes in a program called Destination Imagination, which teaches students how to work together to solve problems. She went to global finals with her group in 6th grade, and that “was when the duct tape world was opened to her.” She thought it would be funny to make her junior prom dress out of duct tape, but when junior year rolled around, and prom was getting closer and closer, she still hadn’t made one. Then, her friend, Steven, said he’d do it with her, so they got to work.
“The hardest part for me was picking the colors,” Charden said. “I just couldn’t decide which one’s I wanted, my mom and I must have spent 45 minutes in Wal-Mart just putting rolls next to each other to see what looked good.”
They went with a classic look for their outfits, Charden wearing a kind of flamenco dress and Steven sporting a suit with pin striping and a cane. It took them about a month to finish.
When prom came, they spent most of the night explaining to people that yes, it was duct tape, and, unfortunately, standing near the door. “My suit was really hot, duck tape doesn’t breathe at all.” Steven said.
Thanks for sharing your story guys, and good luck with the contest!