High school senior makes a coronavirus-themed PROM DRESS entirely out of duct tape - complete with artwork of healthcare workers and a virus-shaped purse

Like millions of teenagers across the US, one Sparta, Illinois high school senior's prom plans were ruined by COVID-19 — but while she didn't actually get to attend the big dance, the pandemic didn't stop her from making her own prom dress anyway.
In fact, Peyton Manker, 18, decided to change up her design to incorporate COVID-19, crafting her own gown entirely out of duct tape with details that spotlighted the virus, paid tribute to healthcare workers, and urged others to flatten the curve.
'We can have some positive things come out of this whole experience and my dress is an example of that,' she told CNN
Lookin' good! Peyton Manker, 18, made a coronavirus-themed prom dress out of duct tape
Lookin' good! Peyton Manker, 18, made a coronavirus-themed prom dress out of duct tape
Canceled: Like millions of teenagers across the US, the Sparta, Illinois high school senior's prom plans were ruined by COVID-19
Canceled: Like millions of teenagers across the US, the Sparta, Illinois high school senior's prom plans were ruined by COVID-19
Timely and stylish! She had already started making her prom dress out of duct tape in January, so she kept going but changed the design
Timely and stylish! She had already started making her prom dress out of duct tape in January, so she kept going but changed the design
Must-have: Of course, she added a face mask that says 'flatten the curve' (though likely only wore it for this picture because a duct tape mask wouldn't be breathable0
Must-have: Of course, she added a face mask that says 'flatten the curve' (though likely only wore it for this picture because a duct tape mask wouldn't be breathable0
Look at those details! The dress is covered in details documenting the pandemic
Look at those details! The dress is covered in details documenting the pandemic
It also pays tribute to healthcare workers with images of doctors, nurses, and other first responders
It also pays tribute to healthcare workers with images of doctors, nurses, and other first responders
Peyton is one of many high schoolers who has crafted her own prom dress out of duct tape for an annual scholarship contest.The contest showcases incredible creativity every year — but Peyton has truly wowed with her creation, which isn't jut beautiful but topical.
She had begun working on it in January, before the pandemic came to the US, and was determined not to give up even when her prom was canceled.
She did shift her plans, though, turning the gown into something that 'documents a part of history.'
'It wasn't just high schoolers, it wasn't just America, it was the whole world being impacted by the pandemic so I wanted to show that,' she said. Her goal: For 20 years, Duck Brand duct tape has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to creative students who make prom attire out of the tape
Her goal: For 20 years, Duck Brand duct tape has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to creative students who make prom attire out of the tape
Amazing: The contest showcases incredible creativity every year ¿ but Peyton has truly wowed with her creation, which isn't jut beautiful but topical
Peyton is one of many high schoolers who has crafted her own prom dress out of duct tape for the annual scholarship contest
Amazing: The contest showcases incredible creativity every year — but Peyton has truly wowed with her creation, which isn't jut beautiful but topical
'It wasn't just high schoolers, it wasn't just America, it was the whole world being impacted by the pandemic so I wanted to show that,' she said
'It wasn't just high schoolers, it wasn't just America, it was the whole world being impacted by the pandemic so I wanted to show that,' she said
She designed her own virus images with red, green, and yellow tape
She created artwork of people wearing masks and an image of a woman sneezing into the crook of her arm
Incredible: She designed her own virus images with red, green, and yellow tape. She created artwork of people wearing masks and an image of a woman sneezing into the crook of her arm
Social distancing! Part of the dress demonstrates how people should keep six feet apart
Social distancing! Part of the dress demonstrates how people should keep six feet apart
The dress is mostly royal blue, with a full ball gown skirt and a ruffled off-the-shoulder neckline, with the design trimmed in gold tape. 
But all over the dress is coronavirus-themed imagery. She designed her own virus images with red, green, and yellow tape. She created artwork of people wearing masks, as well as the healthcare workers toiling away tirelessly to make people better.
She has silhouettes of seniors who are graduating remotely, and an image of a woman sneezing into the crook of her arm.
There are also super-detailed accessories, including high heels with more virus imagery, jewelry with little viruses, an anklet with the words 'this too shall pass,' a virus-shaped bag, and a beautiful duct tape bouquet.
And, of course, a face mask with the words 'flatten the curve.'   
Want! There are also super-detailed accessories, including high heels with more virus imagery
Want! There are also super-detailed accessories, including high heels with more virus imagery
She made coronavirus jewelry, too, including a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet
She made coronavirus jewelry, too, including a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet
She made coronavirus jewelry, too, including a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet
That's dedication! The entire project required 41 rolls of duct tape and four months of work
That's dedication! The entire project required 41 rolls of duct tape and four months of work
Too cute! The coronavirus-shaped purse is her favorite element of the ensemble
Too cute! The coronavirus-shaped purse is her favorite element of the ensemble
Peyton hopes people who see the dress will know that 'even though it doesn't seem like it right now, the coronavirus pandemic will eventually pass, it will all be okay in the end'
Peyton hopes people who see the dress will know that 'even though it doesn't seem like it right now, the coronavirus pandemic will eventually pass, it will all be okay in the end'
The coronavirus-shaped purse is her favorite element of the ensemble, but the entire project required 41 rolls of duct tape and four months of work.
Peyton told CNN that she hopes people who see the dress will know that 'even though it doesn't seem like it right now, the coronavirus pandemic will eventually pass, it will all be okay in the end.'
'We can have some positive things come out of this whole experience and my dress is an example of that,' she added.
Duck Brand will award its scholarships this month, and Peyton is set to attend Southwestern Illinois College in the fall.

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