Teen Jariatu Jah Creates Stunning Crochet Prom Dress and Goes Viral on TikTok

A 17-year-old teen from Virginia, Jariatu Jah, made headlines after she wore a crocheted prom dress she designed and created herself. Her one-of-a-kind orange dress has now gone viral on TikTok, gaining millions of views and reactions.

Jariatu, who has been crocheting for the last four years, first started making plushies and small bags. But in December 2024, while talking to a friend about her upcoming junior prom, she came up with a bold idea—making her own prom dress by hand.

She told Newsweek that she has “always loved going all out” and wanted something completely unique. She began by sketching the bodice and then carefully worked on each part until it fit just right.

A Handmade Dream Dress

Jariatu chose orange for a reason. “It complimented my skin tone beautifully,” she explained. She added that creating the dress took patience and effort. She worked on it for about a month, using yarn and sequins to build the final piece.

The dress features a sparkly bodice with a mesh overlay, blending into a sequined, patterned skirt. She said it wasn’t easy. There were moments she doubted her design, worried about the fit or whether the mesh would ruin the final look. But her fashion teacher and progress photos kept her motivated.

When the dress was finally done, she felt “amazed and relieved.” Seeing her creation on a mannequin in fashion class made her feel proud and accomplished.

Big Night, Bigger Reaction

Wearing the dress to prom was a dream come true. Jariatu said she got compliments all night. Many teachers even told her she had a future in fashion. “It was the first dress I ever made. No one could copy it. I felt confident knowing I made something original,” she said.

She posted a video of her crocheting the dress on her TikTok account (@jarrriatu). The video has since exploded online with more than 19.4 million views and 3.9 million likes. One comment said, “Keep that dress forever!! Your future child will be wearing that to prom and bragging about their momma.”

Another user wrote: “Wait OMGG??? I literally thought this was a joke at first but gurlll this is insaneee.”

New Support and Bigger Dreams

A family friend, Mubarak Oyegunle, 25, is now helping manage her social media. He’s watched her grow over the years and called her work “truly inspiring.” He believes her success online is just the beginning.

Jariatu has already started planning her dress for senior prom in 2026. Her creativity and passion have touched thousands of people, and many believe she has a bright future in fashion and design.