Fab fashion from the flatlands

Whodathunk?

The Midwest is a not a hub for style trendsetting, nor a fashion mecca, so I was surprised when I found this story which combines not only a fashion statement but amazing creativity as well. This lovely young woman created her tres cool prom dress from coffee filters.

Really.

I saw a picture posted on a news site and when I googled her, realized she was from the St. Louis area. The following story was lifted from her school’s online newspaper.

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Who would have thought coffee filters could be used for clothing? Aimee Kick, a senior at Francis Howell North High School, knew she wanted to wear a dress that would not only be elegant and fashionable, but one-of-a-kind at her senior prom.

Aimee spends a lot of time at coffee shops in her spare time and has become known as the “the girl with a coffee cup,” which was the inspiration for her dress.

Aimee knew that she wanted to wear something creative, but after eliminating fabric her options for material were limited. She considered vegetables, tea bags, stamps, bubble wrap, and aluminum foil, but found that these items were perishable or not durable.


Being able to dance was an important factor in the final decision for the material, but she needed to be able sit and breathe comfortably, as well as be able to make and complete the dress in a reasonable time frame.

“When I really started to notice how into making the dress I got was the day before a large (and tedious) research paper was due. I kept saying to myself, ’Just finish the paper and then you can work on the dress as much as you want,’" said Aimee.

Aimee spent about a month on the entire project; folding and cutting as well as staining, dying, sewing, and hand blow-drying the coffee filters. According to Aimee, she sometimes spent six hours or more a day on the dress.

“Each and every filter is sewn onto a fabric base that I made. Most filters have multiple seams over them, save for the bodice, which was all hand sewn,” said Aimee.

At times this was a little difficult because she has never used coffee filters to make clothing, but she was very motivated to complete the challenge.

“I am very inspired to use different materials, so it was more of a stimulating challenge than a difficulty,” Aimee said.

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You rock, Aimee. Hope the prom was a blast.


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