Swifties at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, Tennessee, were overjoyed to learn about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement announcement. Blending bridal fashion, creativity, and education, precocious third-grade students designed a Cinderella-inspired wedding dress for Taylor Swift as part of a hands-on STEM project. The project was completed just in time for Taylor’s birthday on December 13th.
Led by STEM teacher Carrie Ruhland, the students worked collaboratively in the school’s Makerspace to design a custom bridal look fit for a fairytale. The gown featured a sweetheart-neckline bodice inspired by a Victoria Beckham design and a flowing tulle skirt influenced by Vera Wang—both chosen through student research and group voting.
“I have never seen anything like it in my entire life,” Ruhland shared with Commercial Appeal. “Once we began, the energy in the Makerspace was electric.”
The creativity didn’t stop with the dress. The students also designed whimsical accessories, including a laser-cut veil with cat details, a custom wedding ring, cat-ear accents, and even a hand-sewn BabyBjörn carrier so Swift’s beloved cats could accompany her down the aisle. Drawing inspiration from Cinderella, Ruhland imagined Swift’s cats inviting the girls to help create the dream gown—an idea the students embraced wholeheartedly.
Third-grade teacher Kristen Hehn emphasized the impact of the moment, saying, “At an all-girls school, moments like this allow us to step into the girls’ lives, tapping into what interests them.”
Beyond the fairytale charm, the project fostered teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence. Ruhland noted that the girls fully embraced collaboration, adding, “They embraced the opportunity to make a really great dress together, supporting and respecting one another’s ideas.”
The result was a joyful celebration of weddings, imagination, and learning—proving that even the youngest designers can bring meaningful inspiration to the bridal world.
Source:
Commercial Appeal, by Brooke Muckerman, published December 13, 2025
People Magazine, by Erin Clack, published December 16, 2025
Photography credit: St. Mary’s Episcopal School
