The term “bathroom tissue couture” doesn’t seem like a concept that fits together in any way, shape or form; however, when you present an out-of-the-box notion like this to the fashion industry it develops and becomes a well-known event people anticipate eagaerly, such as the eighth annual White Cashmere Collection.

The designer line-up for the White Cashmere Collection has been announced naming 15 of Canada’s most innovative designers for the fall 2011 fashion show which will showcase gowns, menswear and accessories all made out of sheets of Cashmere Bathroom Tissue.

This yearly event helps to raises funds and awareness for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation where 25 cents from the sale of the White Cashmere Collection’s limited-edition, Pink Cashmere bathroom tissue goes directly to the foundation during breast cancer month in October.

Fashion designer and show producer, Farley Chatto was chosen as this year’s event curator bringing together the nation’s top design talent, such as Carrie Hayes, Wesley Badanjak, Christopher Paunil and Philip Sparks.

I always find it fascinating at the ability of these designers to take a fragile material, such bathroom tissue, and create it into clothing that can be worn – albeit for a brief moment.

Below I’ve listed my favourite designer sketches which gives you a glimpse of what to expect when they’ve finished developing their cashmere creations.

José-Manuel St-Jacques

LOVAS designer, Wesley Badanjak names his spring/summer 2011 collection “Elemental” inspired from the periodic table of elements. What may not be popular knowledge is Badanjak holds a Bachelors degree in biology which undoubtedly influenced his design direction and “colour palette of silver, charcoal, black, lipstick and citron” this season.

What I like about Badanjak’s designs is that he creates clothes for women who can see themselves wearing these garments directly off the runway; a testament to his focus on precise tailoring and modern outlook.

During Fashion Week, I’m usually able to snap good pictures from my seat giving you an of-the-moment view of designers’ latest collections and their runway shows. However, pictures I took on day three of LG Fashion Week didn’t turn out very well; poor lighting and a point-and-shoot camera didn’t help my case much. However, my shots of the show finales provides a holistic look at the fall/winter 2010 collections of LOVAS by Wesley Badanjak, Pat McDonagh and Evan Biddell.

My first show of the evening, on Tuesday, was LOVAS by Wesley Badanjak. Badanjak’s fall/winter 2010 collection is named, Behind the Gates which is inspired by memories and photographs of his paternal grandmother, Cecilija Badanjak. Hearing this, I was touched at the emotional and familial inspiration Badanjak sourced and was interested in his reinterpretation of European (more particularly Croatian) fashion from the past.

Badanjak presents a modern approach to his chosen theme with clean cut silhouettes and an array of clothing separates highlighting the practicality and versatility required of women’s wardrobes nowadays. Vibrant print dresses, skirts, sequin leggings and staple items, such as a double-breasted white wool jacket and a black sheath dress with gold embroidery offer the ability to mix-and-match within this collection.

Fur is strategically used throughout LOVAS as to not saturate the use of this textile for the collection this season; bleached coyote and lambskin jacket, red fox bolero and black raccoon fingerless gloves were part of the temperate use of this material.

The second most touching element of this collection was Badanjak affectionately kissing and hugging his parents during the finale.

Images taken by Kimberly