Photography by Katherine Holland

You’ll Never Guess What These Stunning Gowns Are Made Of

Drumroll please.

Date September 28, 2018

It’s toilet paper. Or rather, “bathroom tissue,” the, ahem, sanitized name for the unique material utilized by 15 of Canada’s top designers to create bafflingly elaborate evening gowns as part of the annual Cashmere collection, which debuted on the runway earlier this week.

For the past 15 years, this unique fundraiser, better known (at least to me) as the ‘toilet paper fashion show’ has helped raise awareness for breast cancer just in time for October aka Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over 180 Canadian designers have participated in the competition since the event’s inception in 2003, and it’s incredible to look back and marvel at the stratospheric creativity that working with this humble, er, throwaway material can inspire.

This year’s event was crystal ball-themed, after the traditional 15th anniversary wedding gift, and many of the gowns were dotted with hundreds of sparkly crystals donated by Kimberfire.

So how exactly does this unique competition raise money for breast cancer? We’re glad you asked. Twenty-five cents from the sale of every specially-marked package of Cashmere goes towards breast cancer efforts at the Canadian Cancer Society. Plus, Cashmere has pledged to donate $1 for every vote cast in the Vote Couture for the Cure contest (which helps choose the winner out of this year’s contestants) up to $10,000. So after perusing our gallery of this year’s amazing creations, shot by photographer Katherine Holland, go forth and click! Every vote counts.