Two damaged books destined for the recycling bin have been given a glamorous new life as a Jane Austen inspired frock.

Tauranga Library promotions assistant Katherine Tham created the eye-catching display currently on show in the city library's window, in collaboration with the Tauranga Art Gallery to promote their latest exhibition.

Katherine's design will feature in the library window until next month.

À La Mode begins on Friday, April 6 and will showcase selection of fashion plates from Rudolf Ackermann's 19th century publication Ackermann's Repository of the Arts, a monthly magazine which documented changing fashions in dress and furniture from 1809-1828.

The fashion plates are from Dunedin Public Art Gallery's collection.

As for Katherine's paper dress, it will stay in the library window for the length of the exhibition, but she has no idea where it will end up – her house is too small to accommodate the extravagant artwork.

However, she says it's easily transported; held together with pins and double-sided stick tape.

The Art Gallery will also host a series of themed events, with all details available at artgallery.org.nz.