Fashion-shoot gold in photogenic city

Australian photographer Chris Searl takes images of a model wearing Bing, Harris and Co garments...
Australian photographer Chris Searl takes images of a model wearing Bing, Harris and Co garments from the label's winter 2014 collection, during a fashion shoot in Mason St, Dunedin, this week. Photo by Lyn Herbert.
Dunedin could be a mecca for film and fashion photography, location scout Lyn Herbert says.

She has just hosted a fashion photography group from Australia, in Dunedin to shoot the Bing, Harris and Co winter 2014 collection.

Ms Herbert said the fashion label, which had become extremely popular in Australia, wanted to return to Dunedin where the firm was established in 1858 as a merchant store for gold miners.

''They wanted to honour the company's history, which of course is in Dunedin. I can remember Bing Harris from when I was young, long after it started as a merchant store where the gold miners could go and get everything they required to go out in the fields.''

The old Bing, Harris and Co building in High St served as a backdrop for the fashion shoot, as did the old Otago Daily Times store in Mason St, where an old delivery truck from the Leviathan Hotel was used as a prop.

Other locations for the fashion shoot included Port Chalmers, Whare Flat, Henley, Signal Hill, Mt Cargill, Highcliff Rd and the rooftop of Consultancy House.

Ms Herbert said the Australian crew was impressed with Dunedin, particularly its old buildings and stunning vistas.

''They were blown away just about every time we went over a hill and there was another beautiful view.''

She hoped the shoot would bring more work like it into the city.

''I don't think Dunedin is promoted enough as a place to come for film and fashion, and I think we need to be more proactive about it.''

Ms Herbert said the group included a photographer, photographer's assistant, two designers, two models, and an advertising agent, from Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

They were in Dunedin for three days from Wednesday, and as well as Ms Herbert they contracted Dunedin make-up and hair artists for the project.

It was a boost to the local economy in many ways, Ms Herbert said.

For example, breakfasts for the entire crew cost about $200 each day.

''They paid for accommodation, rental cars, food and drink. It does bring quite a lot into the economy.''

- rosie.manins@odt.co.nz

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