Student Designs Her Own Prom Dress Inspired by Zendaya’s Valentino Gown in Just 3 Days

For prom season, some students are using their fashion design skills to make their own dresses. Sarah Akinbuwa recently went viral for crocheting her prom dress.

The Boston native was invited to someone else’s prom as a date, but was notified a few days in advance. She decided to make her own dress, which only took three days and $60.

“I had to make a dress by hand,” Akinbuwa said in an interview with People.

The 18-year-old crocheted a pink strapless maxi dress, with roses on the bottom half. She also made a matching floor-length bolero and handbag. Akinbuwa was inspired by the pink strapless dress, designed by Valentino Haute Couture, that Zendaya wore to the 2023 SAG Awards. Challengers The actress’ dress featured 190 roses on the skirt.

The 18-year-old posted the process of making clothes on TikTok, in a video that has garnered nearly 26 million views so far. She said she received compliments from friends and strangers.

“My friends loved this dress and I got tons of compliments,” she told People.

One of these many compliments can be heard in her TikTok video. A woman is heard saying, “I like your dress.” After the teenager thanked the woman and informed her that she had done it herself, the passerby reacted: “You did it?!” »

Akinbuwa has been crocheting since the age of 12; she makes personalized orders for friends and family members, as well as for her social media followers. His goal after high school?

“I have to be a fashion designer,” she says.