Monroe High School senior creates his own, one-of-a-kind prom outfit
MONROE — Tonight, senior Brandon Miller is going to Monroe High School’s prom in his own creation: a 35-color crocheted outfit.
Miller, 17, aspires to have his own fashion brand. Tonight, he’ll pair his handmade pants and button-down vest with a purchased white satin shirt. Miller has been crocheting his outfit for about five weeks. The design includes 62 crocheted squares stitched with a crochet slip stitch. He used about six balls of yarn on the project.
The outfit is his own design.
“It’s all from my brain. I like the ‘70s-inspired style and the bright color,” said Miller, the son of Robin Beeson and Chad Miller of Monroe. “I want to be a fashion designer in the future, and I want what I wear to prom to be something I can look back and be proud of.”
This year, Miller also is completing the fashion design/sewing career and technical education (CTE) program at MHS. He also is a CTE Ambassador, giving fashion design presentations to younger students.
"I had the pleasure to hear him speak to the eighth graders when he led tours when Monroe Middle School students visited MHS earlier this year," said Wendy Krouse, community engagement coordinator for MPS. "He impressed me so much with his enthusiasm and passion for the fashion program at Monroe High School."
Miller taught himself to crochet in January 2021, by watching YouTube videos. His favorite channel is Bella Coco.
Gloves were his first crochet project. Since then, he estimates he’s crocheted at least 500 projects, including his favorite piece, a Valentine’s Day sweater. He’s also made stuffed animals, other sweaters, flowers and bags.
Miller sells many of his pieces to his fellow classmates and through his Etsy shop, brandonatic. Others were purchased April 27, at Monroe Public Schools’ Young Entrepreneur Showcase, which allowed the public to shop for students' goods and services.
“I sold all of the stuffed animals I made, some of the flowers and most of the small pouches,” Miller said.
"I bought a braided keychain attachment and a crocheted bee in MHS red/white colors," Krouse said.
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In the fall, Miller is heading to Central Michigan University. He won $100 from MHS for the poster he created for MHS's recent Decision Day, the occasion where seniors declare their post-graduation plans. His fabric Decision Day poster included a zipped portion that opened to reveal his CMU major: fashion design.
“They have a great fashion program and it felt like the right fit for me,” he said.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe High School senior creates his own, one-of-a-kind prom outfit
