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(National Release)
 CHICAGO
- Chicago may not be the fashion capital of the world, but even
Paris is not likely to boast a 19-year-old designer-in-the-making
who wowed local crowds with a formal gown made completely of Duck®
brand duct tape.
Jessica Tenney, a recent Mather High School
grad, and friend Greg Rezendez took on Duck's challenge to create
this year's most spectacular prom attire -- out of duct tape (details
at www.ducktapeclub.com).
Prom-goers at Chicago's Westin Hotel grabbed
a glance of the designer original on May 30. Tenney, who enters
Chicago's Columbia College as a fashion major this fall, swirled
in with a silver two-piece, floor-length, perfectly tailored dress.
No chenille, rayon, or silk to report. Tenney was donned in
100 percent duct tape. Budget silver was accented by special-order
hues of black, cherry and burgundy. Some high school seniors
placed custom orders at Bloomingdales. Tenney went to Ace
Hardware.
Rezendez was sporting a resale suit that
had been transformed into a matching duct tape tuxedo. Tenney's
hairband, Rezendez's tie, and flowers -- all duct tape. They
even danced the night away in duct tape loafers and, well, sticky
stilettos.
Though a fabulous spectacle, Tenney and Rezendez
did not take home the grand prize.
Winners Meg Roberts and Tyler Mickley of
West Point, Va., found that being "ducked" out in duct
tape formalwear was both a memorable and profitable experience.
They grabbed a whopping $5,000 college scholarship ($2,500 each),
with an additional $2,500 for their prom-hosting high school. "I'm
truly happy for Meg and Tyler, though I could have really used the
money," said Tenney, who will try just about any flareful stunt
to fund her upcoming years as a fashion design student.
"The construction of Jessica's dress
is very professional," said Heather Sefcik, Media Relations
Manager for Henkel Consumer Adhesives, Inc., sponsor of The Duck®
brand Stuck at Prom™ contest. "Both the colors and
patterns she used express her unique take on fashion and display
her outstanding creativity. Based on this creation, I think
she could definitely have a career in fashion. I just hope
she continues to use duct tape as a medium."
"Contest staff members offered very
encouraging comments, and that means the world to me," said
Tenney. "But for now I'll have to stick to my part-time job
to help fund college tuition. Dollars are tight." Tenney
lives with her father, step mother, twin brother, and half brother
and sister in a condo on Chicago's north side. "I'm really
fortunate to have the support of a family that loves creativity."
Tenney's father is a home renovation contractor; her step-mom an
award-winning floral designer and owner of the Anna Held Florist
in the historic Edgewater Beach apartment building.
The Duck® brand Stuck at Prom™ contest
annually awards students for their creativity and originality in
creating or accessorizing prom formalwear with duct tape. Contestants
are judged on a number of criteria, including originality, workmanship,
quantity of duct tape used, use of colors, and creative use of accessories.
The winners are selected by a panel of judges, including Jim &
Tim, The Duct Tape Guys, and Todd Scott, world-famous duct tape
sculptor.
Duck brand duct tape is sold nationally at
such retailers as Ace Hardware, TrueValue, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart,
and is available in more than 18 colors and patterns, including
camouflage, X-Factor™ colors (fluorescent green, pink, orange
and yellow), standard silver/gray, and an assortment of other solid
colors such as red, yellow, black and blue.
"I'm hoping that a local designer might
hear about my efforts and consider mentoring me through the phases
ahead," said Tenney. "And I'm enthusiastic
about starting at Columbia College this fall. I know I will learn
a great deal from faculty there."
Tenney's summer sewing classes embraced a
list of projects that included working with cotton and polyester.
How boring.
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