This Ontario student makes an elaborate prom outfit entirely from duct tape

“They told me the good news and I’m really happy because it means people in my community and beyond can see my art, and I’m really happy for that,” Yutold As it happened guest host Duncan McCue.

Erika Avellaneda of Ottawa and Ryan Bekic of LaSalle, Ontario, were also among the finalists.

Watch: Meihuan Yu describes a Chinese-inspired duct tape dress:

Yu, who will start 10th grade in the fall, said this is the second time she has made her own prom dress. She first made a dress without a ribbon to wear to an 8th grade prom in 2020.

“But then, you know, COVID sort of graduation was cancelled, and I couldn’t wear that dress anymore. And then I found out about this competition and I was inspired to try again,” he said.

Not a single dress, her creation is made up of several different pieces, including a skirt, top, bodice, collar, purse, headdress and boots, all embellished with detailed patterns and drawings in yellow, gold, blue, red, green and pink. . .

It took 186 Hours and 23 rolls of ribbon to complete.

His style and design, he said, was inspired by Chinese performing arts and opera, something he has been passionate about exploring during the pandemic.

“My design process is really inspired by my culture,” he says.

Herdress has also incorporated protective elements, such as chest plates and shoulder strips of duct tape, to show the courage of frontline workers during the pandemic.

“I wanted to dedicate my dress to them,” she said.

Avellaneda, an Ottawa Grade 9 student, said it took her 143 hours and 17 rolls of duct tape to make her detailed two-piece dress, which features gold, blue and black patterns, an open front and an elegant long skirt. plus matching accessories.

“I just thought this would be really interesting to get into and I just wanted to see what I could come up with,” he told CBC Ottawa.

She said it was “probably the heaviest dress” she’d ever worn, and while it was mostly comfortable, she couldn’t really sit down while wearing it at the risk of tearing.

Making it is also not easy.

“Obviously I had a lot of hair stuck to my dress along the way,” she said.

While she is proud of her creation, she admits that when she finally gets to attend the prom in person, she will probably go the traditional way.

“If I don’t find something I like, a last resort maybe I can make it out of duct tape. But other than that, maybe not,” he said.

Watch:Erika Avellaneda in her duct tape prom dress:

Grade 9 student Erika Avellaneda says it took 143 hours and 17 rolls of duct tape to make her detailed two-piece dress. He is now one of ten finalists in the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest, which offers high school students the chance to win over $12,000. 1:27

Bekic, a grade 12 student in LaSalle, Ontario, was a finalist in the tuxedo category.

From the front, the Bekic hatchlings are a black and red gothic ensemble, complete with a removable cap and black angel wings. From the back, it’s all white and decorated with rose gold and a matching bow tie, topped off with a white mask.

It took 160 hours and 27 rolls of ribbon.

In video application for contest,Bekiccites high-fashion runways are the main inspiration.

“My suit tells a story, and it’s almost like a play on the motif of angels and demons,” said Bekic, who will enter university next year.

“My costume shows that no matter how tough a person’s exterior may be, there is always peace and love and light in everyone. Like an onion, you just have to be willing to peel off a few layers.”

The Stuck at Prom contest is run by duct tape maker Duck.

Anyone can vote online for their favorite finalist online until July 14The winners in the dress and tuxedo categories will each receive US$10,000, while the runner-up will receive US$500.

Written by Sheena Goodyear with files from CBC Ottawa. Interview with Meihuan Yu produced by Sarah Jackson.

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