Happy National Taco Day! From Taco Wrappers to Runway: Olivia Mears Serves Up Haute Salsa Style!

- - Contest, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion History, Sustainability

Olivia Mears Taco Dress Winner

Olivia Mears models her “Taco Dress” circa 2015. (Image credit: @AvantGeek)

Olivia Mears didn’t just make a Taco Dress—she reinvented fast fashion, literally! When most people see 300 unused Taco Bell wrappers, they think “leftovers.” Olivia thought, “wardrobe makeover for a Disney princess!” And honestly, Belle’s usual frock never looked so crunchy. Happy National Taco Day  (October 7).

The Taco Dress Saga

Who needs fairy godmothers when you’ve got nacho scraps and a hot glue gun? With 300 taco wrappers on her side, Olivia transformed herself from Western Carolina U student to the undisputed queen of taco couture. Ten hours of crafting later, she emerged like Belle, if Belle had taken a wild detour through a drive-thru instead of a French castle.

Fame with Extra Cheese

After winning first prize in Taco Bell’s “Live Mas to Win Mas” contest in 2015, Olivia was basically the Cinderella of salsa, except her big debut was a Taco Bell commercial, not a ballroom, and her magical gown smelled faintly of beans, not roses. National TV soon came calling. ABC and Late Night with Seth Meyers wanted the story, no doubt hoping she’d show up in a matching churro tiara.

Taco-inspired Dress Olivia Mears

Taco-inspired dress by Olivia Mears circa 2015 (Image credit: @avantgeek)

Tasty Legacy

Olivia’s Taco Dress became an inspiration: why toss away wrappers when you can wrap yourself in them? Today, she’s proof that upcycling isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s deliciously chic. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, her art shows it can also be in the bottom of a taco bag.

So next National Taco Day, don’t just eat your tacos. Wear them. Preferably with a side of guac and a lot of confidence!

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Headshot of Francesca Sterlacci

Francesca Sterlacci

Francesca Sterlacci is the CEO of University of Fashion (UoF) which she founded in 2008 as the first on-demand online fashion video library bringing the art and craft of fashion design and business to schools, libraries, organizations and the general public. As owner of her eponymous label for ten years, her collection sold in fine stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Barneys and Nordstrom. As a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology for 11 years, she became Chair of the Fashion Design Department where she initiated the complete revision of their AAS and BFA degree programs, as well as wrote three certificate programs: Leather Fashion Design, Outerwear and Haute Couture. Francesca has also taught graduate level fashion design at the Academy of Art University San Francisco for six years, both on site and online. Her publishing accomplishments include: Leather Apparel Design, the Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry (First and Second Editions), the A-Z of the Fashion Industry, Leather Fashion Design and a 3-volume beginner series on Draping, Pattern Making and Sewing designed to complement the UoF lessons. She has also made literary contributions to both the Encyclopedia of Clothing & Fashion and You Can Do It! The Merit Badge Handbook for Women. Francesca holds an AAS, BA and an MSEd (master’s degree in higher education).