As a rule, you don’t often bump into fashion models in public bathrooms, but at spazioCasa on Urbis Designday 2013 it was unavoidable.

The company, which specialises in Italian-made bathware and flooring, collaborated with Italian-New Zealand designer Yvonne Bennetti. Taking her inspiration from the various ‘rooms’ set up in the Parnell showroom, Bennetti designed a handful of outfits. There was a checkerboard dress, inspired by a black-and-white setting, and a model dressed in mirrored underwear. There were yellow-and-white and black-and-gold ensembles and outfits made from fabrics Bennetti digitally printed to replicate marble and wood. And they were all displayed on models who draped themselves over designer baths and basins.

“They were very specific rooms that I took inspiration from,” said Yvonne Bennetti as she watched the showroom fill with visitors. “For one I was inspired by a chandelier, another by the colours. And the dresses were all made here in New Zealand.”

Those not dressed in their underwear – namely the Designday punters – also enjoyed Italian antipasti (salamis, parmesan cheese freshly cut from the block) and wine. 

For more on Urbis Designday, click here.