Rhiannon Hendricks
The Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest is an annual event where contestants create wedding dresses using nothing but toilet paper and glue. In 2014, Amber Mills from Hurst, Texas, entered the contest and won third place and a $2,500 prize. Mills, a former Marine, created a mesmerizing dress by boiling toilet paper and blending it with glue to create a sturdy material for the bodice. While Mills' dress was impressive, she did not win the top prize. That honor went to Susann Brennan, who wowed the judges with her 'Romance on a Roll' entry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Contest | Annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest |
| Year | 2014 |
| Winner | Susann Brennan |
| Winning Entry | Romance on a Roll |
| First Prize | $10,000 |
| Runner-up | Katrina Chalifoux |
| Runner-up Prize | $5,000 |
| Third Place | Amber Mills |
| Third Place Prize | $2,500 |
| Location | New York |
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What You'll Learn
Amber Mills' unique technique
Amber Mills's unique technique helped her secure third place in the 10th annual Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest. Mills's approach to crafting her dress was to do more than just leave the toilet paper in strips. She discovered a way to transform the toilet paper into a material that could be used on the bodice.
Mills's process began with removing the cardboard roll from the toilet paper. She then placed the remaining toilet roll into boiling water. After boiling, she strained the paper and combined it with a substantial amount of glue, using a handheld mixer to blend the two substances. This process resulted in a material that could be used for the bodice of the dress.
Mills's innovative technique demonstrates her creativity and resourcefulness in utilising toilet paper in a unique way. Her approach allowed her to create a dress that stood out from the other entries, showcasing her ability to think outside the box and experiment with unconventional materials.
The judges of the contest, including bridal couture designer and Project Runway alum Kate Pankoke, were impressed by the level of creativity and the stunning designs crafted solely from toilet paper and glue. Pankoke, in particular, commended the finalists for their ability to craft "soft and sturdy gowns as beautiful as those made from fine fabrics."
Mills's achievement in the contest is a testament to her skill and ingenuity, showcasing her unique technique of transforming toilet paper into a usable material for a wedding dress. Her approach not only resulted in a beautiful creation but also empowered her, making her feel useful and providing a sense of accomplishment.
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The contest's rules and requirements
The Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest is an annual event that challenges designers to create stunning wedding dresses using nothing but toilet paper, glue, tape, and needle and thread. The contest, which is now in its 14th year, offers a grand prize of $10,000 to the winner.
The rules of the contest are simple: designers must create a wearable, on-trend wedding gown and headpiece using only the specified materials. The dresses are judged on their creativity, craftsmanship, and overall design. The contest is open to anyone, and past contestants have included both professional and amateur designers.
To enter the contest, participants must submit a completed dress and headpiece made from the approved materials. The entries are then judged by a panel of experts, including bridal couture designers and fashion industry professionals. The judges evaluate the dresses based on their creativity, visual appeal, and how well they incorporate the toilet paper into the design.
In addition to the grand prize winner, the contest also awards prizes for second and third place. The winners are announced at a fashion show event, where the finalists get to showcase their unique creations. The contest has gained a reputation for its innovative and stunning designs, with some dresses featuring intricate details such as floral patterns, lace, and paper roses.
The Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest has inspired designers and brides alike, proving that fashion knows no bounds, even when it comes to using unconventional materials like toilet paper.
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The 10th annual contest's winner
The 10th annual Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest, held in New York, saw adventurous designers from across the US gather to present their unique creations. The contestants were challenged to craft stunning wedding dresses using only toilet paper and glue. The entries ranged from simple off-the-shoulder 1950s prom dresses to extravagant gowns adorned with paper roses and delicate lacing. Some outfits were even accompanied by headpieces, purses, and veils.
Among the impressive entries, one stood out and claimed the $10,000 (£5,900) first-place prize. Susann Brennan was crowned the winner with her captivating entry, 'Romance on a Roll'. Brennan's creation undoubtedly impressed the judges, including bridal couture designer and Project Runway alum Kate Pankoke.
While Amber Mills, a former Marine from Hurst, Texas, did not take home the top prize, she earned a remarkable third-place finish. Mills's journey and creativity were inspiring. Dealing with multiple sclerosis and other health issues, she found a new sense of purpose and determination through the contest. Mills's innovative technique involved boiling toilet paper to create a unique material for the bodice of her dress.
The second runner-up, Katrina Chalifoux from Knoxville, Tennessee, received a check for $5,000 (£2,950). The level of creativity and craftsmanship displayed by all the finalists was remarkable, showcasing the incredible transformations that can be achieved with simple materials like toilet paper.
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The contest's judging panel
The judging panel for the Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest has included some notable names in fashion and bridal couture. The 10th annual contest, held in 2014, was judged by Kate Pankoke, a bridal couture designer and Project Runway season 11 and 12 contestant. She commented on the "level of creativity" and the "incredible" use of toilet paper by the contestants.
The 14th annual contest, presented by Cheap Chic Weddings and Quilted Northern, included Danielle Jonas and celebrity wedding planner Michael Russo on the judging panel. The dresses were assessed on their "incredible level of detail and originality of design".
The 15th annual contest, held in 2019, featured Monte Durham of "Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta", Jeremiah Brent of "Nate & Jeremiah by Design", and Zanna Roberts Rassi, a fashion editor for Marie Claire. The co-creators of the contest and owners of Charm Weddings, Laura Gawne and Susan Bain, were also on the judging panel, along with Charles Ekenga, senior brand manager for Quilted Northern.
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The contest's prize money
The Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest is an annual event that challenges designers to create stunning wedding dresses using only toilet paper, glue, tape, and needle and thread. The contest, which has been running for at least 14 years, offers a grand prize of $10,000 to the winner. In 2014, the first runner-up received $5,000, and the second runner-up took home $2,500.
The contest is organized by the wedding website Cheap Chic Weddings in partnership with Quilted Northern. Over 1,500 people from across the United States have submitted entries over the years, showcasing incredible creativity and craftsmanship. The top 10 finalists present their creations at a fashion show in New York, and the winner is crowned based on the judges' evaluation of the dresses' detail, originality, and showroom readiness.
The 2014 winner, Susan Brennan, impressed the judges with her "Romance on a Roll" entry, a stunning dress with floral detailing that looked right at home at a couture bridal shop. Amber Mills, the subject of the initial query, placed third in the 2014 contest, taking home $2,500 in prize money. She wowed the judges with her unique technique of boiling toilet paper to create a material for the bodice of her dress.
The Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest continues to be a platform for adventurous designers to showcase their creativity and push the boundaries of fashion, proving that even unconventional materials like toilet paper can be transformed into something beautiful and worthy of a bridal gown.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Amber Mills did not win the top prize in the wedding dress contest, but she did earn third place.
Mills did not just leave the toilet paper in strips. She discovered how to boil it down into a material to use on the bodice. She first takes the cardboard roll out of the toilet paper, then puts the rest of the roll in boiling water. Once it has boiled, she strains the toilet paper and blends it with glue using a handheld mixer.
Susann Brennan was crowned the winner of the 10th annual Cheap Chic Weddings contest, with her 'Romance on a Roll' entry.
