Love, fashion, and a powerful cause converged at the 20th anniversary of Kruger Products’ historic Cashmere Collection. Aptly titled “Lovestruck,” and presented by Jessi Cruickshank, this landmark event celebrated the past, the future, and the fight against breast cancer. Cruickshank stressed why it was so meaningful to present the event:
“As a longtime supporter of Canadian Fashion, it is my honor to be a part of an event that has used the beauty and artistry of Canadian fashion to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer over the past 20 years. I have had too many close friends and family members battle breast cancer, some are in remission, some are no longer with us. It is a privilege to be a part of the 20th anniversary of the Cashmere Collection, as each year we get closer to creating a future without breast cancer.”
The runway show, hosted at Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works on Tuesday, October 3, featured a dazzling array of original couture designs by 20 esteemed Canadian designers. Ten returning champions and ten emerging talents rose to the challenge of creating garments using Cashmere Bathroom Tissue.
Front Row for the Cause
In honor of two decades of support for the breast cancer cause, this year’s event reserved a dedicated front-row section for those who have been impacted by the disease. From survivors to healthcare workers, the “Front Row for the Cause” welcomed VIP guests, identified by their distinctive pink seats, invited by the Canadian Cancer Society. Legendary fashion icon and breast cancer survivor, Jeanne Beker, served as an ambassador to this group.
Jeanne Beker shared her thoughts on the event, saying, “Having admired the wonderful work that the Cashmere Collection has done to raise both funds and awareness over the past 20 years, it’s an honor to have been invited to participate in such a milestone year. It was inspiring to sit Front Row for the Cause with some fellow survivors and those impacted by the disease and witness how these fantastic creations came to life on the runway, all in support of the CCS and QBCF.”
Annual Kick-Off to Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For over two decades, the Cashmere Collection has united Canada’s fashion community in a powerful show of support for the breast cancer cause. Produced by Kruger Products, the maker of Cashmere Bathroom Tissue, this event serves as the highly anticipated annual kick-off to October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Susan Irving, CMO of Kruger Products, emphasized the event’s significance, stating, “The Cashmere Collection is a beloved mainstay that inspires Canadians through fashion while raising awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. The 2023 Cashmere Collection: Lovestruck is focused around a celebration of love – love for Canadian designers, love for 20 years of support of the breast cancer cause, and most importantly, love for those impacted by cancer – survivors, families, and those we’ve lost.”
Cashmere Collection: The 2023 Designers
The 2023 Cashmere Collection featured a diverse range of Canadian-based talent, showcasing inspirational, inclusive, and fashion-forward design aesthetics from across the country. The participating designers included both returning champions and new talents:
Returning Designers: Christopher Paunil, Jim Searle, Chris Tyrell (Hoax Couture), Farley Chatto, David Dixon, Rodney Philpott (Rodney Philpott Designs), Lesley Hampton, Nikki Wirthensohn Yassemi (NARCES), Steven Lejambe, Shelli Oh, Zoba Martin (ZOBA MARTIN).
New Designers: Aunalee Boyd-Good & Sophia Seward-Good (Ay Lelum), Caffery Vanhorne (CAFFERY VANHORNE), Christopher Bates, Evan Ducharme, Jessie Da Silva, Markantoine Lynch-Boisvert (MRKNTN), Rhowan James (RHOWAN JAMES), Ross Mayer (R. MAYER ATELIER), Smail Akdim (SMAIL AKDIM), Wiwa Blue (WIDI’Z).
The annual event has raised over $5 million to support breast cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment programs for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation (QBCF).
