While there were plenty of colourful, creative entries at the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, a seemingly simple floor-length navy blue gown designed by Canterbury Polytechnic Institute of Technology student Renuka Malik took the top award in Gore on Saturday evening.
The entry won the Nightlife Award and was a standout for all of the judges, judge Denise L'Estrange Corbet said.
''It was just magic in its simplicity,'' Mrs L'Estrange Corbet said.
''It just goes to show a great cut and fabulous fabric makes a great garment - you don't have to overdo it,'' she said.
Mrs L'Estrange Corbet, who is the chief executive of label World, was joined at the judges table by Elizabeth Findlay, of Zambesi, designer Warwick Woodfeild, Margi Robertson, of Nom*D and Plume, and Eastern Southland curator of arts and heritage Jim Geddes, who judged the Steampunk award.
Mr Geddes said the standard in the Steampunk section, which wowed the 600-strong audience, was ''fantastic''.
''They were of a very high technical standard on a par with previous years,'' Mr Geddes said.
Local designers had done well, with Viv Tamblyn, of Gore, winning the Best Southland Designer and the Bonz: Machine Knitted Award and Ethan Sharman, of Gore High School, winning the Streetwear Award.
Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks and Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt strutted the catwalk in menswear, but Mr Shadbolt got tangled in his necktie while trying to remove his jacket at the turn.
It was Mr Hicks' third appearance on stage at the awards, this time barefoot with his toenails painted red.
''You don't get nervous until you're ready to get out there and then you think: `What the hell am I doing?','' Mr Hicks said.
The Hokonui Fashion Design Awards celebrated its 25th year this year, which was a tribute to executive producer Heather Paterson, who had been at the helm for the past 16 years and had been presented with a Queen's Service Medal for her efforts this year, he said.
''It's been yet another stunning event.
''It's a real tribute to the team and the effort they put in and to Heather - it's a great event and it's great for Gore.''
By Rachael Kelly.
