A few years ago, Elizabeth Rasmuson was eagerly preparing for one of the biggest nights of her life: prom. But instead of buying a conventional dress like her classmates, she decided to take a bold, creative risk and make her own unique gown. When she shared her plan with friends, many doubted it could be done. Yet Elizabeth not only pulled it off using gum wrappers, she created a masterpiece that had the entire school applauding.
Elizabeth dedicated countless hours to designing the dress, keeping it as simple as possible while experimenting with colors from the wrappers. Inspired by stories of duct-tape dresses but drawn to the vibrant hues of “Five” gum wrappers, she meticulously flattened, trimmed, and arranged each piece. Using iron-on material to connect the wrappers and a vinyl coating to prevent cracking, her vision came to life.
With the help of her boyfriend Jordan, Elizabeth collected over 200 gum wrappers of various colors. After several days of work, the dress was complete—and she even went one step further, making a matching vest for her boyfriend. When the pair arrived at prom, their recycled outfits stunned everyone.
Elizabeth’s mother, Dawn, praised her daughter’s daring creativity. “These days, so many girls just worry about fitting in, but Elizabeth wanted to make something entirely her own,” she said.
Whether or not you love the dress, there’s no denying Elizabeth’s ingenuity, determination, and bold spirit—qualities that turned a simple idea into an unforgettable prom statement.
