Kleenex "fashion design competition 2013" - New Zealand

2009 was the first year that the Kimberly-Clark company and the NZ Fashion Tech collaborated and organized as part of their nationwide marketing campaign - a fashion designing competition for students. The concept is the same every year - "Create a glamorous and luxurious white cocktail dress" - from Kleenex Cottonelle toilet tissue. The design needs to survive 10 catwalk shows at the NZ Fashion Week besides numerous fashion shoots and promotions.

Kimberly-Clark is an American personal care corporation that produces mostly paper-based consumer products. Kimberly-Clark brand name products include "Kleenex" facial tissue, "Kotex" feminine hygiene products, "Cottonelle", Scott and Andrex toilet paper, Wypall utility wipes, "KimWipes" scientific cleaning wipes, and "Huggies" disposable diapers. Based in Irving, Texas, it has approximately 56,000 employees. Kimberly-Clark UK holds a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales in the United Kingdom. Kimberly Clark is also listed among the Fortune 500."
Wiki

"Kimberly, Clark and Co. was founded in 1872 by John A. Kimberly, Havilah Babcock, Charles B. Clark, and Franklyn C. Shattuck inNeenah, Wisconsin with US$30,000 capitalization. The group's first business was operating paper mills, which the collective expanded throughout the following decades. In 1914 the company developed cellu-cotton, a cotton substitute used by the United States Army as surgical cotton during World War I."Wiki

The Kleenex Cottonelle Paper Dress 2012 competition.

Kapi Fonua was only 19 years old when he won the Kleenex Cottonelle Paper Dress 2012 competition. He born in Tonga and studied in Auckland. He inspirated from pohutukawa leaf-shaped - Pohutukawa tree: 
“Renowned for its vibrant colour and its ability to survive even perched on rocky, precarious cliffs, it has found an important place in New Zealand culture for its strength and beauty and is regarded as a chiefly tree (rākau rangatira) by Māori.” Wiki

He created a fabulous ball gown. The dress's shoulder is reminiscent of the beautiful vintage  lace. The under part of the dress is a bit like a dress from foxtrot dance floor. Despite the lower part of the dress crowd in contrast to the detailed openwork lace top, the designer found the balance of the sophistication and created an exceptional ladylike dress.

Sci-fi fan Jeffrey cites Blade Runner heroine Rachel and the futuristic sets she admired so much in the movie as the inspiration for her retro-contemporary design. A structured tubular skirt contrasts with a gently contoured bodice and signature ‘Rachel’ collar.

Kei Ho found his design inspiration in cupcakes, and says the playful layering of the skirt on his dress alludes to the silhouette of a lily, the pleating mimicking the paper cases, and the bodice swirls like ribbons of icing. 

 The Kleenex Cottonelle Paper Dress 2013 competition.

Vili Tonu is a 25 years old Tongan-born fashion designer student from Auckland. He designed a very elegant, delicate detailed cocktail dress. The dress separated to 2 part, layered skirt and plaited, fine detailed bodice. He used 4 weeks to finished this unique design piece. His message through his design is “ paying respect and embracing his culture" He was inspired by the kauri canopy of the Auckland Art Gallery.

Kat McLeod (24) 'Camellia Dress’ “I wanted the flowers to be scattered and falling down towards the hem to bring the softness,” says McLeod.

And the youngest of the three finalists, Maria French (21), has echoed the textures of nature in her contribution called ‘Contradictions’. This was inspired by Kimberly-Clark’s sustainable principles and Forest Stewardship Council certification. She says the papier maché bodice is reminiscent of tree bark, and the skirt spreads out like a soft, leafy canopy.

Contradictions Dress – Maria French

I would like reveal a little about Kylie Bax who is the face of the competition. She wore the winner's dress this year. As an internationally famous kiwi super model, she took part in this competition with pride. In her words: “ Being involved with Kleenex Cottonelle Paper Dresses is so unique - seeing what the students from NZ Fashion Tech can create, their style and fashion sense and the whole journey. It’s absolutely personal for me. New Zealand is my country and it’s important that I can come home and then help others create their dreams as well. To be a mentor to these students is just a dream.”

She is an amazing NZ super model. 

Her face and body appeared in lots of different world magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Madame,... she advertised to Anna Sui, Anna Sui 'Sui Dreams' fragrance, Ann Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman, Cesare Paciotti, Clinique 'Happy' fragrance, Club Monaco, DKNY, Escada, Escada Sport, Gianfranco Ferré, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Madeleine, Oscar de la Renta, Patrick Cox, Plein Sud, Sonia Rykiel, Trussardi, Versace.

Kylie Bax Vogue Italia Sep. 1996 – Andy Warhol’s Museum by Steven Meisel

Bombshell Alert

She is like a feature from german photographer Helmut Newton's canvas, who paints beautiful images with his camera. Impressive, cool and dynamic, through her body language you can grasp something unique, something that doesn't belong in this world.

I will let you know some private details about this blond Icon and things related to her: With her " Bombshell Alter" editorial inspired me to create and direct the photoshooting style of JOKKAdesign's Sunnyday collection in 2011.

"... story by Steven Klein. Dressed in futuristic jet black ensembles, big sunglasses and high heels, Kylie looks larger than life, her signature look has always brought austerity and sex appeal to her editorials, but here Klein utilizes all her talents. The entire story is elevated by Kylie’s presence; the acrobatic poses, expressive glances and sheer attitude that she brings to the table, remind us why she’s one of modeling’s true greats."

Photo: Edina Csoboth http://www.edinacsoboth.com/
Dressdesigner: Erzsébet Zsóka Majzik www.jokkadesign.com
Special thanks: Zoltan Balogh Fotográfus/Photographer http://baloghzoltan.blogspot.com/ /
Model: Lilla Fehr
Concept: Erzsébet Zsóka Majzik
Hair: Viktória S. Tóth
Make-Up: Kata Kertész
Accessories: Szandra Csek stylist

Photo: Mariano Vivanco for Dazed and Confused, stylist- Katie Shillingford

Photo: Mariano Vivanco for Dazed and Confused, stylist- Katie Shillingford

The Winner of 2013

 Kylie Bax and Vili Tonu

Congratulations to everybody who took part at Kleenex Cottonelle Paper Dress competition. I wish to the designer students good luck and exciting future! We are looking forward to see your next designs guys.