Owings Mills Teenager Creates Fashion From Duct Tape
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Making fashion out of duct tape. That's the goal of an Owings Mills teenager who is outfitting people around the country with the sticky stuff.
Andrea Fujii has the story.
To say duct tape has many uses is an understatement for 16-year-old Alec Cosgarea.
"I like how unique it is and how it's something that not everyone has thought of before," Alec Cosgarea said.
For the last year and a half, this McDonogh School junior has been making and selling wallets, hats-- even a coat-- out of duct tape.
"I started off just making a couple of these in my basement and just to see how much I've been able to expand," he said.
To keep up with demand, Alec has set up a website, getting orders from all around the country.
"He's wise beyond his years," said Sheila Cosgarea, Alec's mother. "I'm not sure I could have done it when we were his age."
Each roll of duct tape runs about $5, and so far he's gone through about 300 rolls. So when he first started his business, he barely broke even. But this year he has brought in about $1,000.
Though some may giggle at his creations, don't be surprised if one day duct tape comes down the runway.
"Some future goal that I have is to make full suits and other extravagant things that have duct tape," Alec Cosgarea said. "Most people are shocked at first. They have no idea how it's possible to make these things."
Cosgarea donates five percent of revenue to charity. To see more of his creations, click here.
