
From a casual glance out of my window, I spotted a girl wearing heels, a flowing dress and an open graduation gown, while holding flowers and a diploma. Her mom and a younger sibling walked on either side of her, and her graduation cap covered a small part of a flowing head of curls. In any other year, onlookers would know she was coming back from her graduation. But chances are, in 2020, she put all that glam on just to walk around the block and have a moment of regularity. This is what prom and graduation look like in a coronavirus-dominated world that has infected more than 2.3 million Americans in six months.
Of course retailers, designers and high schoolers are trying to make the best out of an odd situation. One seamstress from Chicago transitioned from making prom dresses for the past 30 years to sewing face masks, setting aside all donations to go toward an annual scholarship fund for high school seniors.
Duck Brand gave away $20K in cash scholarships to high school students who could create the best prom attire out of duct tape. Then this Illinois student went all out by creating her own coronavirus-design duct tape dress, matching blue face mask, virus purse, “Separately Together” barrette and a toilet paper roll bouquet.
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As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
And although Target could’ve never foreseen themselves being a literal target — due to police brutality outrage and protests — the retailer still went ahead and released its limited edition dress collection, with prices ranging from $40 to $100. Meanwhile prom dress stores and bridal dress stores are struggling to hold on, both because of social distancing concerns and consumers’ hesitation to come in to try on dresses. (Stores like the Chicago Bridal Store are only doing virtual appointments and curbside pickup until further notice.)