PRICEVILLE — There’s a running joke that you can use duct tape for just about anything.
But, did anyone have “Design a tux for prom” on their bingo card?
Aidan Flanagan, a Priceville High School student, did. In fact he is one of 10 finalists in the 24th annual Duck Tape Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest. The competition challenges high school students across the U.S. and Canada to create promwear entirely out of Duck Tape for a chance to win college scholarships.
For Flanagan, it took 92 hours and 21 Duck Tape rolls for his creation which celebrates his love of space.
Flanagan said he visited the U.S. Space & Rocket Center several times which piqed his interest in the stars.
“The theme needed the perfect design to capture the grandiose beauty of ‘space,’ so I thought of a ringmaster-style tuxedo,” he said. “The Helix nebula that spans the back of the suit took quite a bit of time and was one of the larger ‘ideas’ of the suit.
“Getting the transitions was very difficult but I think I pulled it off all right on my third try.”
Flanagan created the constellations through a template and applied them randomly. He said the tux’s gold trim “took some patience to get on just right.”
The accessories include a hat, cane, pocket watch, shoes, rings, bow tie, “and lots of love,” he said. To view Aidan’s tape tux, click here. Voting is open until July 10 at StuckAtProm.com. Winners will be announced around July 19.
“… this project stressed me out a little bit, but I’m thankful I got an excuse to branch off from a monotonous school year and make a duct tape suit,” he said. “I had loads of fun trying to figure everything out and hope all the other competitors did, too.”
The dresses featured extravagant skirts and the tuxedos incorporated a kaleidoscope of patterns and colors.
“What ‘sticks out’ to me about the participants this year is their confidence to create entries that are completely unlike any of the previous ‘Stuck at Prom’ looks,” said Kerry Haugh, director of product marketing, duct tapes, at Shurtape Technologies, the company that markets the Duck brand. “Encouraging high schoolers to be themselves and embrace their uniqueness is what this competition is all about.
“The voters have their work cut out for them as they determine this year’s winners.”
The entries were based on specific criteria, including accessories, color, workmanship, originality and the use of Duck Tape.
The grand prize winners — one dress and one tux designer — will each take home a $15,000 cash scholarship, the largest prize Duck brand has awarded since the start of the competition. Runners-up will receive $1,000 and a Duck brand prize pack valued at $100.
Additionally, three of the finalists will be honored with one of the new Judge’s Choice Awards, also worth $1,000. The Judges’ Choice Awards are:
- Runway Worthy for the trendiest or most fashion-forward look
- Most Inspiring for the creation with the most impressive “why” or “how” shared through a video or essay
- Trust E’s Choice for the entry that is most favored by the judges.
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