fashion

The future of Candian fashion is bright as demonstrated by the spectacular runway show of one-of-a-kind couture creations presented by 15 emerging designers at the eleventh annual White Cashmere Collection™ in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) held earlier this week at the Carlu, in Toronto. Unique in the world, and the first and only fashion collection entirely crafted in pure, soft and luxurious sheets of Cashmere Bathroom Tissue, this year the designers used innovative techniques including origami, laser cutting and weaving. “This annual event continues to support and challenge Canadian designers to create gorgeous garments and stunning accessories from an unusual fabric, for a very good cause,” says 2014 Artistic Director, Farley Chatto.

A fund- and awareness-raiser for women and their families affected by breast cancer, the White Cashmere Collection highlights the brand’s ongoing commitment to CBCF and heralds the annual return of limited-edition Pink Embossed Cashmere, conceived in 2008, with twenty-five cents from the sale of every package going directly to CBCF throughout October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Funds donated support the most innovative breast cancer research projects, breast health education and advocacy initiatives to support women and their families affected by the disease.

You can make a difference right away by participating in Vote Couture for the Cure™. Canadians are invited to vote for their favorite design and Cashmere will donate $1 for every vote, up to $10,000, to CBCF in the winning designer’s name, from September 30 through November 10, 2014. Voters will be entered in a draw to win weekly prizes with the chance to WIN a Grand Prize New York City Fashion Escape valued at $5,000.

Designers featured above from left to right: Franciska Veress, Evan Clayton, Pedram Karimi, Ken Chow and Alejandro Mendoza.

Sarah Nicol‘s strapless ball gown features 800 roses, a floor-grazing skirt studded with pink jewels and a pink waist bow.

Full of movement and texture, Martin Lim‘s simple short sheath features front and back panels of interlaced ribbons.

Astonishing laser-cut lace effects highlight Sarah Stevenson’s elegant gown with a peplumed over-jacket of intricate BT “lace.”

There’s no missing the dynamic allure of the strapless dress Hilary MacMillan has created with a bevy of soft origami-esque butterflies.

Toronto’s Lise Godel‘s Latin-style dance dress features pink and white blossoms across the shoulders, a sexy peek-a-boo midriff and a leg-baring high-low skirt.

This leather-look stunner by costume designer Eugene Paunil includes a bold ornamental collar, pendant and thigh-baring, tulip-shaped wrap skirt.

Dozens of White Cashmere ribbons, arranged in a column of articulated layers, gives Montreal’s Elysé Désinor little dress its sexy mobility.

This ultra-sheek sheath by Montreal designer Ðuc C Nguyên features a single hip pannier and a daring asymmetric hemline.

What begins as a simple white sheath, created by Alan Ta, becomes an entrance-maker with a pink-lined overskirt appliquéd with pink-and-white Cashmere BT blossoms.

Myles Sexton created this year’s most avant-garde accessory: an eye patch made from carefully cut, folded and assembled triangles of BT.

This year’s collection was photographed at The Carlu, in Toronto, by Koby Inc., an award-winning, internationally-published Canadian fashion photographer. Marc Anthony Salon and MAC Cosmetics created gorgeous hair and make-up for the photo shoot and the live show. Shoes were supplied by Town Shoes, and jewelry by Swarovski.