Sixteen Canadian designers are crafting elaborate dresses and sculptural garments from toilet paper to support a breast cancer fundraising campaign. The 2026 Cashmere Collection invites designers to interpret the Symphony theme, resulting in creations that range from structured eveningwear to nature-inspired floral designs.
Montreal designer Antoinette Di Carlo created one of the collection's most sculptural looks, featuring a structured bodice and a transparent, glittering underskirt. Large pleats frame the corset and waist, while crystals and pearl-trimmed details add texture to the unconventional material.
The design reflects the Symphony theme, with Di Carlo using pleating to evoke a musical crescendo. According to 29Secrets, she spent about four weeks developing the garment, experimenting with the tissue on a mannequin before finalising the construction.
Di Carlo reinforced the tissue with a canvas base to shape the pleats and maintain the dress's structure, highlighting the technical challenges of working with delicate materials. He was among this year's returning participants, having won the public vote in 2025.
An Aquatic Floral Design
Fellow Montreal designer Oscar Mendoza took a nature-inspired approach. He created an asymmetrical, one-shoulder gown adorned with flowers, a butterfly and two embroidered koi carp.
The bodice uses crumpled tissue to mimic petals, complemented by a braided mesh strap and a side slit. Raised flowers with pink centres add texture, while pink-and-silver fish along the skirt evoke an underwater garden.
Mendoza, who first joined the Cashmere Collection in 2018, designed his piece to express that each person is a note in a larger composition. The detailed embellishments distinguish his garment from Di Carlo's more architectural silhouette.
A Dramatic Opera Coat
For her first appearance in the collection, Claudette Floyd created a quilted opera coat with oversized balloon sleeves and raised white and pale pink flowers. Silver cords fasten the neckline, and a structured mini skirt completes the look.
Originally from Jamaica and now based in Montreal, Floyd brings over 20 years of luxury design experience, specialising in structured silhouettes and slow-fashion craftsmanship. Her Symphony interpretation uses the opera coat to symbolise the modern woman's strength and enduring style while facing breast cancer.
These three designs demonstrate the material's versatility. While, Di Carlo's piece emphasises sculptural pleating and a defined silhouette, Mendoza's highlights intricate natural motifs, and Floyd's focuses on volume and floral texture.
The other 13 designers are Christopher Paunil, Donn Sabean, Catherine Addai, Kelsey Erin, Lesley Hampton, Nikki Yassemi, Sam Wong, Curtis Matysek, Funmilayo Odeniyi, Richard Wei, Somaya Ahmadi, Sudha Arjun Sharma and Tia Kureshi.
Fashion With a Purpose
Cashmere Bathroom Tissue, a brand owned by Kruger Products, founded the Cashmere Collection in 2004. Its annual showcase brings together established and emerging Canadian designers, challenging them to create unique garments from bathroom tissue.
The 2026 edition features nine returning designers and seven newcomers. The national runway show took place at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto on 7 October, followed by a Montreal showcase at Maison Rose on 14 October. The Montreal event presented eight garments, including three pieces from this year's collection and five from earlier editions.
Since its launch, the initiative has raised more than C$5.6 million (£2.97 million) for breast cancer causes. Its charitable partners are the Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.
How to Support the Campaign
Canadians can vote for their favourite 2026 design on the Cashmere Collection website until 15 November. Cashmere will donate C$1 (£0.53) per vote, up to C$100,000 (£53,000). It will also announce the winning design on 18 November.
Online voters may win a C$5,000 (£2,656) grand prize. Eligibility is limited to Canadian residents who have reached the legal age of majority in their province or territory at the time of entry. Additionally, the campaign will donate C$1 (£0.53) for each qualifying package of specially marked Cashmere bathroom tissue sold, up to a total of C$100,000 (£53,000).
Both donation mechanisms support breast cancer initiatives through the Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, allowing the public to contribute by voting or purchasing products. The campaign combines an unconventional fashion challenge with a fundraising model that has supported the cause for over 20 years.
