Fragile fashion: Dreyfoos students craft paper costumes, dresses from wallpaper

Visitors to the Via Mizner area this afternoon might see young people walking around in costumes and dresses made of paper. If you see them, feel free to stop for a chat because they'll be happy to talk about their creations.

The kids are students at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, and their costumes and dresses were made as part of a collaboration with designer Leta Ann Foster. She provided the Waterhouse Wallhangings wallpaper that the students used, which are actually Foster's new designs for the company, she said.

Foster said Sarah Cooke, a Dreyfoos alumna, came up with the idea of the collaboration to bring more attention to the school.

Speaking to the Daily News on Friday, Foster said her eponymous store in Via Mizner had costumes piled to the ceiling. The students spent Thursday working on their creations, which include a Cinderella ball gown and the costume worn by Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

"It shows the talent of the kids and the hard work they put into this thing," Foster said.

Foster praised the students' teacher, Penny Williams, calling her "fabulous." The students will use their fashion designs as part of their senior projects and portfolio for college.

The students will be walking around in their creations from 3 to 5 p.m. today. "They'll only be able only wear them the one time." Foster said, laughing.

"I do have to give back to the community and this is a fun way to do it," Foster said.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Designer Foster's wall visions turned into paper fashion for spring