From the toilet roll to the catwalk

Student fashion designer Louise Barnes (right) adjusts her toilet paper dress for Fashion Week on model Larisa from Clyne. Photo / Martin Sykes

Dresses made from toilet paper will be among the outfits showcased at this year's New Zealand Fashion Week.

Three students from NZ Fashion Tech in Auckland City have been given the opportunity to have their toilet paper creations displayed in the Designer Selection Show - the biggest show of Fashion Week.

It is the first time Louise Barnes, 37, Yao Chen, 31, and Lua Talaoloa E'etau, 27, have had their designs photographed and modelled professionally.

"It's very exciting,"said Ms Barnes.

About 25,000 metres of paper were used in the creation of 22 dresses.

Students effectively had to make their own material - the toilet paper had to be fused on to fabric using the same technique required for shirt cuffs and collars.

The trio agreed the toilet paper was extremely difficult to work with.

"It's a challenge," said Ms Barnes.

"It's obviously a very, very delicate fabric. You don't know how it's going to handle."

Ms Chen said great care had to be taken not to damage or mark the paper in the making of the dresses.

Students had only 3 weeks to design and complete their garments but they are all pleased with the result.

Not only did the dresses look stunning but they were also comfortable, said Ms Barnes.

"I tried it on myself. It's very comfortable to wear."

Ms Chen said the inspiration for her design originally came from the curved shape of a bottle and glasses before she developed her concept to reflect the beauty of butterflies and flowers.

Despite the challenges posed by using toilet paper, it did have its advantages, said Ms Chen.

"It was easier than normal fabric to get the shape you want."

With their diploma almost complete, the students have big dreams for the future including owning their own labels.

"That's my goal," said Mr E'etau.

The students' dresses were chosen when they and the 19 other members of their class put forward outfits.

The dresses were made to meet a brief given to the class by Kimberly Clark, the maker of Kleenex Cottonelle toilet paper.

* Air New Zealand Fashion Week runs from September 21 to 27 in Auckland.