Photo: Cheap Chic Weddings
Consider yourself a pro when it comes to fashioning wedding dresses out of toilet paper at your friends' bridal showers? We wonder how your designs stack up against the winning creations from Official Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest!
The contest, an event worthy of equal amounts of "who knew?" and "of course!", announced the winners of its ninth annual competition at an event hosted by RK Bridal in New York City on June 6. It was sponsored by Charmin (naturally!), I Do! Wedding Runners, and Women Getting Fit. Celebrity judge Kate Pankoke, bridal designer and season 11 Project Runway contestant, helped with the final judging. Laura Gawne, Susan Bain and Roxie Radford, creators of Cheap Chic Weddings, founded the contest, which challenges readers once a year to design a prize-worthy toilet paper wedding gown.
What sounds like a silly way to make some easy money (the grand prize was $2,000!) actually requires a lot of creativity and more than a little handiness with the materials. Entrants are asked to use toilet paper, tape and/or glue, and are also allowed to sew. Dresses were judged on creativity, originality, beauty, and, of course, the use of toilet paper.
So which design was deemed chic enough to take home the trophy? How about Mimoza Haska's "Beautiful Swan" dress (at top), complete with a cutaway bustier, asymmetrical skirt, lilies and a crown style headpiece? The creation's intricate details are incredible—we can't get over how great the bustier looks. Haska, an Albanian born hairdresser and designer, used 16 rolls of Charmin Ultra Soft, glow-in-the-dark glitter glue, Elmer's glue, paper tape, and needle and thread.
Photo: Cheap Chic Weddings
Second place winner Susan Brennan's halter dress is all formal elegance and romance. Brennan, a designer and professional cheerleader for the Detroit Pistons (who was also the grand prize winner in 2011 and 2012) calls her dress "City in Bloom." She used 11 rolls of Charmin Ultra Soft, packing tape, Scotch tape, hot glue, and needle and thread to create a very versatile design. The skirt, which features large roses, is removable for easy conversion to a short party dress.
Photo: Cheap Chic Weddings
The third place prize went to Carol Touchstone's "Coastal Wave" dress. Her ethereal, beachy gown was inspired by Touchstone's love of the ocean. The unique dress features a support hoop, asymmetrical accordion pleats and appliques, which conjure the image of ocean waves. Touchstone is owner of an upscale consignment boutique in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, as well as an interior designer, fashion stylist, and published author. She used 30 total rolls of Charmin including Charmin Basic, Charmin Ultra Soft, vintage pink Charmin from etsy.com, Mod Podge glue, Scotch tape, clear packing tape, double sided tape, white glue, and needle and thread.
The women behind Cheap Chic Weddings had nothing but praise for the winners. "The top dresses this year showed incredible attention to detail," said Gawne. Bain added, "Our contestants amaze us year after year, and this year is no exception!"
—Terri Pous
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