The Cashmere Collection returned on September 19th showcasing amazing gowns made from Cashmere bathroom tissue to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Cause. Running for over 20 years, Cashmere and Kruger Products has raised millions for breast cancer research. Furthermore, this year’s theme was titled Tapestry of the North, celebrating the Canadian nature of these dresses.
Every year, Cashmere Bathroom Tissue has a spokesperson to speak to the important cause. Who better to highlight the Tapestry of the North than Canadian queen of R&B, Jully Black.
Photo: George Pimentel
Jully Black never signs up to support a cause that isn’t deeply rooted in her lived truth. “When I was 27, I had my own breast cancer scare. I found a lump and before they found the lump, they wouldn’t give me a mammogram as I was too young.” She was able to get a biopsy and continued testing every six months for the following five years. Not only does have friends who have had breast cancer and have had mastectomies, Jully’s own father was diagnosed with breast cancer. “When my father was diagnosed with breast cancer, it shook us all. He listened to his body. His own doctor felt it was a cyst and probably benign but he went into a walk-in clinic, and that doctor went further. Over a weekend, he had a mastectomy and they took out four lymph nodes. He had full breast cancer.”
The 2025 Cashmere Collection was Jully’s first time in attendance and she was blown away by the craftsmanship in the gowns made with bathroom tissue. She sat front row with her niece and stylist Chantal Hines of Sharon Angela Styles. Jully performed after the runway, singing Queen, Sweat Off Your Brow and Seven Day Fool. “This has been happening for so long and I haven’t seen it in person. I was in shock. It really shows how talented Canadian designers are.” Jully appreciated how the testimonials and montage added to the emotional gravity of the event. Celebrating Canadian through the theme Tapestry of the North, also resonated with Jully who is thrilled we are the most patriotic we’ve been as a nation and truly working together. She felt each designer represented a thread of the Canadian tapestry, being diverse in all facets.
For Jully, she worries as a society we’ve become desensitized to breast cancer as it is everywhere and has impacted so many. “I want people to really open their eyes and wake up, be intentional. For every vote for the best created dress, Cashmere will donate up to $100,000 and match each dollar. I want people to think about the day when the tariff conflict started. We would be intentional to flip our tags and ask where things were made. Just take a moment to pause and be intentional around where your dollar goes.Instead of doom scrolling, go online and cast your vote and see, maybe follow the bread crumbs. Check out these designers. They may have something else that you want, so support them.”
Photo: George Pimentel
You can vote until October 31st for your favourite dress and know your vote is going to support the breast cancer cause.
