White Cashmere Collection

High fashion meets toilet paper at White Cashmere 2013

This past Wednesday (September 25) marked the 10th anniversary of the White Cashmere Collection, a unique-to-Canada fashion show featuring extravagant dresses and headpieces made out of white and pink Cashmere toilet paper. Or, as Kruger Products calls it, bathroom tissue.

Twenty of the nation's top designers manipulated the material into ruffles, knits, and enormous architectural shapes - all of which stunned the audience in the best way ritzy TP can. The coveted runway show acted as a fund (and awareness) raiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation; supporters can now vote online for their favourite design, and Cashmere pledges to donate $1 per vote on behalf of the winning designer. DUY, Comrags, Lucian Matis, and VAWK are just some of the names on the roster, each one exemplifying the event's clever tagline: designing a future without breast cancer.

PHOTOS (captions below each image):

White Cashmere Collection

The show opened with one of my favourites: a drop-waist dress by Comrags.

White Cashmere Collection

David Dixon manipulated large sheets into accordion-like folds, and balanced them out with a dainty bodice.

White Cashmere Collection

Lucian Matis strategically weaved heavy strips into a stunning, structured dress.

White Cashmere Collection

Though this dress' material is radically different than he's used to, Paul Hardy's timeless aesthetic still shines right through.

White Cashmere Collection

Stacey McKenzie certainly did justice to this Rita Tesolin statement necklace.

White Cashmere Collection

Luko Marion meticulously crafted dozens of toilet paper flower appliques to dazzle a layer of mesh.

White Cashmere Collection

An extravagant, feather-like headpiece by David Dunkley.

White Cashmere Collection

MICALLA by Camilla Jorgensen sent this collared number down the runway; covered in Swarovski crystals, no less.

White Cashmere Collection

Carlie Wong mimicked delicate lacework in this 70's-esque mini dress.

White Cashmere Collection

Marie Saint Pierre is known for her out-of-this-world silhouettes - this bold, ruffled look is no exception.

White Cashmere Collection

DylaniumKnits approached the Cashmere challenge as if it were any other
design conundrum. By first creating white and pink yarn, designer Dylan Uscher knit a high neck dress with cap sleeves.

White Cashmere Collection

I went into the runway room thinking every look would be soft and ruffle-ridden, given the material restrictions. Joseph Helmer surprised me with the total opposite: a floor-grazing, sculptural masterpiece.

White Cashmere Collection

Anastasia Lomonova took the bridal route. An extravagant, white dress sashayed across the floor with just a hint of pink.

White Cashmere Collection

VAWK by Sunny Fong sent one of the most delicate looks down the runway; a cascading skirt - reminiscent of chiffon - whimsically floated by.

White Cashmere Collection

If it's not covered in rhinestones, puffed up to extremes, or dragging at least four feet behind, it's not a true Hoak Couture gown.

White Cashmere Collection

Bridalwear is Jason Matlo's forte, and it shows. This floor-grazing dress is architectural beauty exemplified.

White Cashmere Collection

DUY showed just how versatile TP can be, mixing smooth and fuzzy textures into one floor-length dress.

White Cashmere Collection

I'm going to take a wild guess that Christopher Paunil was inspired by peacocks.

White Cashmere Collection

Rod Philpott probably created the best Caribana costume in the entire world. Remind me to stock up on toilet paper for next year's festivities.

White Cashmere Collection

Farley Chatto played both the designer and curator of this year's White Cashmere Collection. Inspired by parties like the Brazilian Ball, this ensemble is eye-catching, intricately detailed, and - of course - as sparkly as they come.

White Cashmere Collection

The show closed with every model glamorously gripping a package of Cashmere bathroom tissue.

Photos by Jesse Milns


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