On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were instructed to create fashion-forward prom wear made entirely from Duck® Tape brand duct tape. Their designs were presented to high school students, whose votes for their favorite design were considered by the PR judges.
No high school students here, but Tom was my assistant in duct tape shopping.
Not pictured: The black Duck® Tape that Tom and Lindsey picked up for me later. Aside: Tim and I were both sad that this brand encourages people to think it’s “duck tape” and not “duct tape,” but they do have some great colors and designs.
I chose Natalie as my model for this challenge.
Closeup of the bodice and of the ribbon made from black duct tape. The jewelry is from Mattel.
As are the shoes:
Detail of the dress’s skirt.
It’s two layers, one of silver and one of print.
Natalie’s dress looks young and fun.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my duct tape challenge. See you next time on the runway!
To see previous designs from this season:
Episode 6: Senior Fling
Episode 5: A Little Bit Country (A Little Bit Rock ‘N Roll)
Episode 4: The Ultimate Hard and Soft
Episode 3: Surprise Me
Episode 2: Spin Out
Episode 1: There Is No I In Team
Your design was actually rather charming, which is more than you could say about most of the PR designers. Which proves that with duct tape, less is always more. Is PR reaching with their challenges this season? Though I think this coming week’s program might provide some pleasant eye-candy.
Thank you. If you get a chance, click Marika’s link in the comment below and see some of the fashions the kids themselves came up with. Lots of creativity!
First, the high school they visited … a high school of 20 year olds! i have to say that I liked your design more than most of the ones that were on the runway as well … although I loved Patricia’s and Samantha’s … I think Patricia is my favorite designer on the show – mostly because I feel that she is an ARTIST as well… and I just do ont get the thing Michelle has against her. Patricia seems really nice and warm — and say what you will about her ambitious plans … she gets it done.
I really liked the duct tape challenge … and I think that they featured DUCK brand DUCT tape is because that is the brand that does the scholarship program … check out
http://duckbrand.com/promotions/stuck-at-prom
now there are some great looks there too!
Thanks! I think Patricia’s designs are interesting, too, though I’m not always sure they’re fashionable. But I’m always looking forward to what she’ll do next. Maybe now that Michelle has won something, she’ll stop worrying about what everyone else is doing?
I know about the Duck® Tape scholarships and don’t take issue with PR using them as a sponsor. I take issue with them fostering the replacement of “duct” with “duck” because it just encourages the kinds of people who say things like “for all intensive purposes,” “supposably,” “would of,” and “a doggy dog world.” ACK. I might as well misplace my apostrophes–just typing those sent a chill down my spine.
Well, I don’t know what I say to that… I love living in a doggy dog world! What other kind of world would I want there to be ! 🙂
But do you want the worst features of humans described as exhibiting a “doggy dog” world (good) or a “dog eat dog” world (bad)?
Actually, some of the students’ designs were more creative than the PR designs. And Mlle. Renee would prefer a doggy-dog world to a dog-eat-dog one. Canine cannibals give her the shivers.
At work there are a couple people who say ‘exasperation’ rather than ‘exacerbation.’ (Which exacerbates my exasperation!)
That would make me crazy, too. As does “irregardless.”
Warshed.
I’m not a fan.
That dress is cute and fun! (and you don’t have to worry about the top coming down: it’s duck duct taped on!)
Thanks! Yeah, the two bottom layers are on an unbleached muslin backing, but when I looked at the top, I was all, “She’s a doll! Ripping off the tape later won’t hurt her.”
People duct tape their boobs for cleavage and/or tape their dresses so they don’t fall out so it might as well be one and the same.
Whatever works!
OMG TMI! But then again, I’ve heard the same for drag queens.
They did some serious taping to give Vivien Leigh cleavage when she was filming GWTW. That’s your fun fact for the day.
I love this design. I love the flare you accomplished with the muslin backing.
I thought a couple of the designs on the show were interesting, like the crinoline.
And hey- if they can basically sew a model into a dress to make it fit right, taping it can’t be too bad. I can imagine a designer actually doing that- lining it except for a half inch and taping it directly to the model.
Thanks so much! One good thing: I didn’t have to mess with darts and such when I could just tape it to make it form-fitting.
I like the patterned duck/duct tapes. There have been frequent trips to Lowe’s that have sported these patterned tapes, and every time I see them I think of this challenge. Then, I speculate what Darth Vader would look like. I like your two-tape design. I still can’t imagine anyone in real life wearing duct tape clothing, comfortably, in the summer, in a drought :). But Darth Vader needs a new cape to show off, LOL.
Apparently there are people who make all kinds of clothing and accessories from duct tape. I agree; it would melt right off of us in Houston.