I Made a Dress Out of Wrapping Paper — and It Ended Up in an Art Museum Fashion Show

It started the way many of my favorite creative moments do — with a last-minute invitation, limited time, and the question: What can I make with what I already have?

I had been invited to a holiday-themed costume party and didn’t have time to shop or plan something elaborate. But I did have wrapping paper. And a roll of clear tape.

So I decided to go as a gift.

That first wrapping paper dress was designed to look exactly like one — crisp folds, shiny paper, and a large gold ribbon to tie it all together. Using only wrapping paper and clear tape, I transformed flat sheets into something sculptural, playful, and completely unexpected.

It was meant to be a one-night solution.
Instead, it sparked a tradition.

The Second Dress: Made Just for Fun

The following year, I wasn’t responding to an invitation — I was responding to an idea.

I made a second wrapping paper dress purely for fun, this time with a more geometric design. Clean lines. Structured shapes. Still only two materials: wrapping paper and clear tape.

This dress was made for a holiday pub crawl through downtown Orlando with friends — a night of moving from bar to bar, dancing, laughing, and celebrating the season. I wore it through the city, in and out of bars, dancing the night away, watching people stop, smile, and ask for photos.

It was joyful chaos in the best way

From Pub Crawl to Art Museum Fashion Show

That same geometric wrapping paper dress — originally made just for fun — was later selected for the Wearable Art Fashion Show at the Museum of Art in DeLand, Florida.

What began as a spontaneous, playful experiment became wearable art. The same folds, tape, and imagination that danced through downtown Orlando were now part of a curated art experience.

It was a powerful reminder that art can come from anywhere — even a roll of wrapping paper that later walked down a catwalk.

5 Creative Ways to Use Wrapping Paper for Last-Minute Gifts

Inspired by those dresses, here are a few easy ways to use wrapping paper creatively when time is short:

1. Handmade Christmas Cards

Use scrap wrapping paper to cut trees, ornaments, geometric shapes, or my favorite — make a snowflake — and layer them onto cardstock for festive, one-of-a-kind cards.

2. Custom Gift Tags

Cut wrapping paper into circles, triangles, or gift shapes. Punch a hole, add string, and every gift instantly feels personal. Use cardstock for the back.

3. Patchwork Gift Wrap

Combine leftover scraps into a collage-style wrap. It’s playful, sustainable, and impossible to replicate.

4. DIY Paper Bows

Fold or pleat wrapping paper into oversized bows or fans instead of using store-bought ribbon.

5. Frame the Paper

Frame a small piece of beautiful wrapping paper as part of the gift — perfect for hosts, teachers, or last-minute presents. Use them as:

• Table settings or place cards at holiday meals

• Food labels for parties

• Festive décor in a guest bathroom

• Fridge magnets (just add a magnet to the back)

• Ornaments for the Christmas tree

Extra ideas:

• Create a mini holiday gallery wall with multiple small framed pieces

• Use as a bookmark for holiday reading gifts

• Turn into a DIY coaster by laminating

• Make a gift bag tag with a framed accent

Wrapped in Joy
Looking back, those wrapping paper dresses weren’t really about costumes or fashion.

They were about seeing possibility where others see scraps.
About choosing creativity over convenience.
About showing up — wrapped in joy — and inviting others to smile.

Sometimes the best gifts aren’t bought.
They’re made.

And sometimes, they’re held together with clear tape. ✨

Keep the Inspiration Coming

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Downtown Orlando, Wrapped in Color

One of my favorite places to photograph the geometric dress was The Grand Bohemian Hotel. The bold, colorful chairs and rich Christmas décor made the perfect backdrop. The space felt alive — just like the dress.

Everywhere I went, the reaction was the same:
Smiles first.
Then curiosity.
Then connection.

All created with just two materials.

That night reinforced something I deeply believe: creativity doesn’t need permission or perfection. It just needs a moment and a willingness to play.

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