Following Rihanna’s memorable bathrobe moment, Gigi Hadid has taken an unexpected turn on the runway with a dress made entirely of DHL packing tape.
At the Vetements show during Paris Fashion Week, Hadid stunned in a strapless mini dress crafted from bright yellow and red DHL-branded tape, complete with matching heeled pumps also wrapped in the same adhesive material. Social media buzzed with reactions, with one commenter declaring, “She delivered,” while another quipped, “FedEx has 24 hours to respond.”
While this tape-inspired ensemble might be one of the most budget-friendly looks to grace a high-fashion runway this season, the concept isn’t entirely new. Back in 2017, Raf Simons utilized custom printed tape to cinch the waists of models in wool overcoats, featuring phrases like “Walk with Me” and “RSYP Youth Project.” That same year, Jeremy Scott drew inspiration from refuse for his Moschino collection, presenting gowns adorned with taped straps. In 2022, Kim Kardashian made headlines at the Balenciaga show in Paris, donning a striking outfit almost entirely covered in Balenciaga-branded yellow and black police tape, which reportedly made a “sticky tape-y sound” as she walked, according to Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic for the New York Times.
Gigi’s daring look continues the trend of finding high fashion in the most unexpected places.
The tape dress was paired with two heeled pumps similarly covered in the branded adhesive.
Duct tape, originally created during World War II, has an intriguing history rooted in innovation. Invented by Vesta Stoudt, an American mother and munitions factory worker, it was designed to package ammunition boxes more effectively. However, its versatile nature quickly transformed it into a solution for everything from repairing split boots to fixing jeeps and even serving as makeshift bandages.
By the 2010s, duct tape transcended its utilitarian origins and became a fashion statement. Rolls adorned with vibrant designs—like Hello Kitty and glow-in-the-dark patterns—hit the market. Creating duct tape dresses became a beloved challenge on the reality fashion competition Project Runway. In 2010, Lady Gaga made headlines in her “Telephone” music video, where she donned little more than yards of yellow caution tape while performing in a prison cell.
In 2011, Iowa State University hosted its first annual duct tape fashion show, which gained coverage from the New York Times. This event required all designs to be made entirely from duct tape, although it was sadly canceled in 2015 due to waning interest.
Yet, with brands like Vetements and Balenciaga resurrecting the unconventional material on the runway, it seems that duct tape’s fashion journey is far from over. Its legacy as both a functional tool and a creative medium continues to inspire designers, proving that this hardware store staple still has plenty of life left in it.
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