Outré, Cool, and Hip: Duct Tape Fashion Hits the Runway at Rogers

Aleks Martin & Devyn Maher

A canny contractor once said “the world is held together by duct tape.” Well, yes: washing machines, pipes, and your car. But a dress? A wardrobe? Made entirely of the sticky stuff?

Hayley Pires, a senior at Rogers High School, presented a zany, colorful, and unique fashion collection, all constructed of duct tape, at Rogers High School auditorium recently, abetted by student dancers and high-decibel musical groups with such show-stopping names as “I was on the Football Team”, “Conlon”, and “Pick-up Lines and Cliché”.

Who knew that duct tape came in all colors of the rainbow? And that it could be used to make a wedding dress? Ms. Pires knew, and has been rewarded

Gaby Pires, Talia Loyola. Hayley Pires & Haylenthia Dylan

for her inspirational designs by acceptance at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she will enter in the fall.

Jake Pruneau served Master of Ceremonies, and Pat Toppa, grandmother of Ms. Pires and model Nicole Toppa, sold tickets. A bake sale in the lobby attracted the hungry. The show was styled by a quite professional hair and make-up team of students, and the atmosphere throughout the evening was exuberant.