Every year, thousands of high school students across the United States participate in a unique and challenging competition: the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest. This nationwide event, sponsored by Duck Brand, invites students to design and construct prom dresses using nothing but duct tape. The contest has become a showcase for student creativity, ingenuity, and style, and has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to deserving participants since its inception in 2004.

What is the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest?
The Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest is open to all high school students in the United States. Students can enter individually or in teams of up to three people. The contest has three main categories:
The Fashion Design Category is open to all students who want to design and create a prom dress made entirely of Duck Tape. The dresses are judged on their creativity, originality, and overall design.
The Tape Art Category is open to students who want to create a work of art using Duck Tape. The artwork can be anything from a painting to a sculpture to a wearable garment. The artwork is judged on its creativity, originality, and use of Duck Tape.
The Creative Spirit Category is open to students who want to come up with new and innovative uses for Duck Tape. The projects can be anything from a prom dress to a piece of furniture to a work of art. The projects are judged on their creativity, originality, and use of Duck Tape.
How to Enter the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest
To enter the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest, students must submit a photo of their dress or artwork along with a brief description of their project. The deadline for entries is typically in March or April of each year.
A panel of judges, including fashion designers, artists, and educators, will select the finalists in each category. The finalists will then be invited to attend the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest Finals in New York City, where they will showcase their creations on the runway.
Prizes for the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest
The grand prize winner in each category will receive a $10,000 scholarship. The first runner-up in each category will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The second runner-up in each category will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
In addition to the scholarships, the winners of the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest will also receive a variety of prizes from Duck Brand, including Duck Tape products, gift certificates, and merchandise.
Tips for Winning the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest
If you’re thinking about entering the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest, here are a few tips to help you increase your chances of winning:
- Be creative. The judges are looking for dresses and artwork that are unique and original. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors, patterns, and textures.
- Be innovative. The Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest is not just about making a pretty dress. It’s also about finding new and innovative uses for Duck Tape. Think outside the box and come up with something that has never been done before.
- Be detailed. The judges will be looking closely at your dress or artwork, so make sure that it is well-constructed and finished. Pay attention to the details and make sure that everything is perfect.
- Have fun! The Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest is a great way to express your creativity and have some fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously and enjoy the process of creating your dress or artwork.
Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest Success Stories
The Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest has helped many students achieve their dreams. Over the years, winners of the contest have gone on to study fashion design, art, and other creative fields. Some have even launched their own businesses.
Here are a few examples of Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest success stories:
- In 2014, Rachel Dein won the grand prize in the Fashion Design Category for her dress made of Duck Tape and recycled materials. Rachel used her scholarship money to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she is now studying fashion design.
- In 2016, Sarah Beckman won the grand prize in the Tape Art Category for her sculpture made of Duck Tape and recycled materials. Sarah used her scholarship money to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, where she is now studying sculpture.
- In 2018, Emily Wang won the grand prize in the Creative Spirit Category for her project that used Duck Tape to create a prosthetic leg for a dog. Emily used her scholarship money to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she is now studying engineering.
The Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest is a great way for students to express their creativity, develop their skills, and win scholarships. If you’re a high school student with a passion for fashion, art, or design, I encourage you to enter the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest.
Additional Information about the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest
- The Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest is open to all high school students in the United States.
- Students can enter individually or in teams of up to three people.
- There are three main categories in the contest: Fashion Design, Tape Art, and Creative Spirit.
- The deadline for entries is typically in March or April of each year.
- A panel of judges will select the finalists in each category.
- The finalists will be invited to attend the Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest Finals in New York City.
- The grand prize winner in each category will receive a $10,000 scholarship.
- The first runner-up in each category will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
- The second runner-up in each category will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
Tables
Table 1: Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest Winners
Year | Winner | Category | Scholarship |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Rachel Dein | Fashion Design | $10,000 |
2016 | Sarah Beckman | Tape Art | $10,000 |
2018 | Emily Wang | Creative Spirit | $10,000 |
Table 2: Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest Categories
Category | Description |
---|---|
Fashion Design | Dresses made entirely of Duck Tape |
Tape Art | Artwork made of Duck Tape |
Creative Spirit | Innovative uses for Duck Tape |
Table 3: Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest Timeline
Month | Event |
---|---|
March/April | Deadline for entries |
May | Finalists selected |
June | Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest Finals |
Table 4: Duck Tape Prom Dress Contest Prizes
Prize | Value |
---|---|
Grand Prize | $10,000 scholarship |
First Runner-Up | $5,000 scholarship |
Second Runner-Up | $2,500 scholarship |